from חָלַל; pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted; kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded.
Transliteration:châlâl
Pronunciation:khaw-lawl'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H2491}}` (châlal) is derived from the verbal root `{{H2490}}` (châlal), which carries a dual semantic range: "to pierce/wound" and "to profane/defile." Consequently, `{{H2491}}` embodies both aspects. Its primary meaning refers to one who is "pierced" or "slain," particularly to death, often in contexts of violence, battle, or divine judgment. This sense denotes a physical state of being mortally wounded or killed.
Figuratively, `{{H2491}}` extends to the concept of being "profaned" or "polluted." In this usage, it describes a state of ritual or moral impurity, a loss of sacred status, or a desecration of that which is holy. This duality is critical for understanding its full scope, encompassing both the physical consequence of a fatal blow and the spiritual consequence of defilement. It can function as an adjective describing a person or as a noun referring to a "slain man."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H2491}}` appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, predominantly in the sense of "slain" or "wounded."
* **Physical Death and Wounding:**
* Most commonly found in narratives of warfare, battle, and conflict, referring to those who have fallen in combat. Examples include the description of the dead after battle ([[1 Samuel 31:8]], [[2 Samuel 1:19]], [[Judges 9:40]]), or the casualties of a siege ([[Jeremiah 14:18]]).
* It is used to describe victims of divine judgment, whether through direct intervention or through the agency of human adversaries. Prophetic books, especially Ezekiel and Isaiah, frequently employ `{{H2491}}` to depict the widespread death and destruction that accompanies God's wrath upon nations or unfaithful Israel ([[Isaiah 14:19]], [[Ezekiel 11:6]], [[Ezekiel 32:20-32]]).
* In some instances, it refers to those who have died by other means, such as famine or pestilence, but are still considered "slain" in a broader sense of a devastating loss of life ([[Lamentations 4:9]]).
* The term is often used in legal and ritual contexts concerning the handling of the dead, particularly the "slain" body in the open field, highlighting the ritual impurity associated with death ([[Numbers 19:16]], [[Deuteronomy 21:1]]).
* **Ritual and Moral Profanation:**
* Less frequent but profoundly significant is the use of `{{H2491}}` to denote "profaned" or "polluted." This usage is deeply rooted in the Levitical laws concerning holiness and purity.
* For example, a priest's daughter who becomes a harlot is described as "profaning" her father ([[Leviticus 21:9]]), indicating a defilement of his sacred status and lineage.
* Similarly, a priest who is disqualified from service due to a physical blemish, or who marries a woman he should not, is considered "profaned" ([[Leviticus 21:15]]), losing his consecrated status.
* This application highlights the consequence of actions that violate the sacred boundaries established by God, rendering something or someone common or impure.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H2490}}` (חָלַל - châlal):** The verbal root from which `{{H2491}}` is derived. This verb means "to pierce, wound" and "to profane, defile." The noun `{{H2491}}` represents the state or condition resulting from these actions.
* **`{{H5221}}` (נָכָה - nakah):** "To strike, smite, kill." This verb is often used synonymously or in parallel with `{{H2490}}` and `{{H2491}}` in contexts of killing or causing death, emphasizing the violent act that leads to being "slain."
* **`{{H4191}}` (מוּת - muth):** "To die, kill." Another fundamental term for death, often appearing alongside `{{H2491}}` to describe the deceased.
* **Holiness (קֹדֶשׁ - qodesh) and Profane (חֹל - chol):** The concept of "profaned" in `{{H2491}}` stands in direct opposition to the biblical emphasis on holiness. To be *châlal* in this sense is to move from a state of sacredness or purity into one of commonness or impurity, thereby violating divine standards. This relates to the broader categories of *tahor* (pure) and *tameh* (impure).
* **Covenant:** The act of profaning often implies a violation of covenant stipulations, particularly those related to the sanctity of God's name, His sanctuary, or His people.
### Theological Significance
The multifaceted meaning of `{{H2491}}` carries profound theological weight.
* **Consequences of Sin and Judgment:** The pervasive use of "slain" in contexts of divine judgment underscores the severe and often fatal consequences of sin, rebellion, and disobedience against God. It serves as a stark reminder that God is righteous in His judgment and that there are dire outcomes for those who defy His will. The imagery of the "slain" vividly portrays the devastating impact of divine wrath.
* **The Sanctity of Life and Death:** While often describing death, `{{H2491}}` also implicitly points to the sanctity of life by highlighting the tragedy and consequence of its loss, whether through human violence or divine decree. The ritual impurity associated with the "slain" emphasizes the unique nature of death in the biblical worldview and the need for purification.
* **God's Holiness and the Danger of Profanation:** The "profaned" aspect of `{{H2491}}` is critical for understanding God's absolute holiness. To profane something holy, whether a person, place, or object, is to treat it as common, thereby disrespecting God's unique nature and His separation from all that is impure. This highlights the strict boundaries God establishes between the sacred and the common, and the severe repercussions for those who violate them. It underscores the importance of reverence and adherence to divine law in maintaining a right relationship with God.
* **A World Under the Curse:** The prevalence of the "slain" also reflects the reality of a fallen world marred by violence, conflict, and death, a consequence of humanity's original sin and ongoing rebellion.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H2491}}` (châlal) is a significant term in the Old Testament, encapsulating both physical and spiritual states. Primarily, it denotes one who is "pierced" or "slain," most often referring to the casualties of war, violence, or divine judgment, vividly portraying the reality of death and destruction. Secondarily, and with profound theological implications, `{{H2491}}` signifies "profaned" or "polluted," describing a state of ritual or moral impurity that violates God's holiness and sacred boundaries. Derived directly from the verb `{{H2490}}` ("to wound" or "to profane"), `{{H2491}}` thus serves as a powerful descriptor of the consequences of sin, the severity of divine judgment, and the absolute demand for holiness in the presence of a holy God. Its usage consistently reminds the reader of the tragic cost of rebellion and the critical distinction between the sacred and the common.
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