or חָלִלָה; a directive from חָלַל; literal fora profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!; be far, ([idiom] God) forbid.
Transliteration:châlîylâh
Pronunciation:khaw-lee'-law
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew interjection H2486 (חָלִילָה, *châlîylâh*) is derived from the verbal root `{{H2490}}` (חָלַל, *chalal*), which fundamentally means "to profane, defile, pollute, wound, bore, begin." The interjection itself, châlîylâh, literally carries the sense of "a profaned thing" or "for a profaned thing." However, its usage is idiomatic and exclamatory, expressing strong repudiation, abhorrence, or emphatic denial. Its semantic range includes phrases such as "Far be it!", "God forbid!", "By no means!", or "Never!". It conveys the idea that the proposed action or thought is so utterly contrary to what is right, holy, or acceptable that it is unthinkable, an abomination, or a profanation of sacred principles.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term châlîylâh appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, consistently expressing a powerful rejection or protest against an unrighteous or unthinkable proposition. Its usage reveals deep moral conviction and reverence.
* **Assertion of Divine Justice:** One of the most poignant uses is by Abraham in his intercession for Sodom: "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" [[Genesis 18:25]]. Here, châlîylâh functions as an appeal to God's inherent righteousness and justice, asserting that an act of indiscriminate destruction would be an affront to His character.
* **Reverence for God's Anointed:** David employs châlîylâh when refusing to harm King Saul, the Lord's anointed, despite Saul's relentless pursuit: "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, since he is the Lord's anointed." [[1 Samuel 24:6]], [[1 Samuel 26:11]]. This demonstrates profound respect for divine appointment and the sacredness of the king's office, even when the king himself is acting unjustly.
* **Respect for Human Sacrifice/Value:** When David's mighty men risked their lives to bring him water from Bethlehem, David refused to drink it, exclaiming, "Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Is it not the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?" [[2 Samuel 23:17]]. This highlights an extreme sense of honor and respect for the sacrifice and lives of his loyal soldiers.
* **Covenant Fidelity and Rejection of Idolatry:** In the book of Joshua, châlîylâh is used by the people of Israel to declare their unwavering commitment to Yahweh and their absolute refusal to serve other gods: "Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods." [[Joshua 24:16]]. Similarly, the eastern tribes use it to deny any intention of apostasy or building an altar for idolatrous purposes: "Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord or turn away from following the Lord this day by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle." [[Joshua 22:29]]. These instances underscore the exclusive demands of the covenant.
* **Personal Integrity and Righteousness:** Job uses châlîylâh to assert his blamelessness and refusal to compromise his integrity: "Far be it from me that I should declare you in the right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me." [[Job 27:5]]. This use emphasizes a deep personal commitment to ethical purity and truth.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which H2486 is derived:
* **`{{H2490}}` (חָלַל, *chalal*):** "To profane, defile, pollute, wound, begin." The connection to châlîylâh reveals that the action being repudiated is perceived as a "profanation" or "defilement" of what is sacred, right, or just. The interjection implicitly states, "May it be profaned (if I were to do such a thing!)," or "Let it be an abomination!"
Other related concepts, often appearing in contexts with châlîylâh, include:
* **Divine Justice (צֶדֶק, *tzedeq*):** The concept of God's righteousness and fair judgment, against which any unjust act is deemed unthinkable.
* **Covenant Loyalty (אֱמוּנָה, *emunah*):** The unwavering faithfulness and commitment to the terms of the covenant with God, rejecting any form of apostasy or idolatry.
* **Moral Integrity (תֹּם, *tom*):** The personal uprightness and blamelessness that refuses to compromise with sin or unrighteousness.
* **Holiness (קֹדֶשׁ, *qodesh*):** The sacredness of God and His commands, which must not be violated or profaned.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of châlîylâh is profound, reflecting core tenets of biblical faith:
* **Affirmation of God's Moral Perfection:** The most significant theological implication is the assertion of God's unimpeachable character. When Abraham declares, "Far be it from You!" regarding God's potential injustice, it is an appeal to the very nature of God as perfectly righteous and just. It underscores the biblical conviction that God cannot act contrary to His holy character.
* **Rejection of Defilement and Sin:** Rooted in `{{H2490}}`, châlîylâh is a verbal barrier against anything that would defile, pollute, or violate God's sacred standards. It marks a clear line against actions deemed anathema to God's will and moral order, emphasizing the gravity of sin as a profanation.
* **Exclusivity of Covenant Worship:** In the context of Israel's relationship with Yahweh, châlîylâh expresses the absolute and exclusive allegiance demanded by the covenant. It signifies an uncompromising refusal to entertain idolatry or rebellion, highlighting the unique status of Yahweh as the one true God worthy of worship.
* **Foundation of Personal Righteousness:** For individuals, châlîylâh serves as a powerful declaration of moral resolve. It signifies a deep-seated commitment to live in accordance with God's standards, prioritizing integrity and righteousness above personal gain or fear. It is a testament to the power of conviction in the face of temptation or pressure.
* **Implicit Acknowledgment of Divine Sovereignty:** While not always explicitly naming God, the sentiment of "God forbid" implicitly acknowledges God as the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. It suggests that the proposed action is so egregious that it would constitute an offense against divine will, requiring divine intervention to prevent or condemn it.
### Summary
The Hebrew interjection H2486 (חָלִילָה, *châlîylâh*), derived from the root `{{H2490}}` meaning "to profane," is a potent expression of emphatic denial and abhorrence. Translating as "Far be it!", "God forbid!", or "By no means!", it is consistently used in the biblical text to convey an absolute refusal to contemplate or engage in actions deemed contrary to divine justice, moral integrity, or covenant faithfulness. Its usage underscores a profound reverence for God's character, an unwavering commitment to righteousness, and a passionate rejection of anything that would profane sacred principles or relationships. From Abraham's plea for divine justice to Israel's declaration of covenant loyalty and David's refusal to harm God's anointed, châlîylâh encapsulates a deep-seated conviction that certain actions are unthinkable and anathema to the will and holiness of God.
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