### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **châlâl**, represented by `{{H2491}}`, primarily means **pierced**, **slain**, or **wounded**, often to the point of death. It appears **94 times** across **85 unique verses** in the Bible. Beyond its literal meaning of a person killed by violence, it also carries the figurative sense of being **polluted** or **profane**, linking physical destruction with a state of defilement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical contexts, `{{H2491}}` frequently describes the casualties of divine judgment and warfare. The prophets repeatedly warn of lands filled with the **slain** as a consequence of sin and idolatry [[Ezekiel 11:6]]. The term is often associated with the Lord's direct wrath, as seen in the phrase "the slain of the LORD" ([[Jeremiah 25:33]], [[Isaiah 66:16]]). The word also carries a strong sense of ritual impurity; touching one **slain** renders a person unclean [[Numbers 19:16]]. This concept of defilement extends to a moral state, as a priest is forbidden from marrying a **profane** `{{H2491}}` woman [[Leviticus 21:7]], and the prince of Israel is condemned as **profane** and wicked [[Ezekiel 21:25]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning of `{{H2491}}`:
* `{{H2719}}` **chereb** (sword): This word for a cutting instrument frequently appears with `{{H2491}}` to specify the means of death. The phrase "slain by the sword" is a common descriptor for the fate of armies and nations under judgment ([[Ezekiel 31:18]], [[Zephaniah 2:12]]).
* `{{H5307}}` **nâphal** (to fall): This primitive root describes the action of the slain, emphasizing their defeat and death. The phrase "the slain shall fall" serves as a recurring declaration of judgment against cities and nations ([[Ezekiel 6:7]], [[Jeremiah 51:47]]).
* `{{H2026}}` **hârag** (to smite with deadly intent): This verb represents the direct action that results in the state of being **slain**. [[Numbers 31:8]] illustrates this by stating that the Israelites **slew** `{{H2026}}` the kings of Midian, who were found among the rest of the **slain** `{{H2491}}`.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2491}}` is significant, highlighting several key concepts:
* **Manifestation of Judgment:** The presence of the **slain** serves as a stark, physical sign of God's judgment against sin. In Ezekiel's prophecies, the land filled with the **slain** is a direct result of Israel's idolatry and rebellion ([[Ezekiel 6:4]], [[Ezekiel 6:13]]).
* **Spiritual Defilement:** The word links the violence of being **pierced** or killed with a state of being **profane**. This connects the physical consequence of sin (death) with its spiritual consequence (pollution), whether through contact with a corpse [[Numbers 19:16]] or through wicked actions [[Ezekiel 21:25]].
* **Universal Consequence of Sin:** The term is applied not only to Israel's enemies but to unfaithful Israel itself. It describes the fate of Babylon [[Jeremiah 51:49]], Edom [[Ezekiel 32:29]], and the people of Judah [[Jeremiah 9:1]], demonstrating that divine retribution for sin is a universal principle.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2491}}` is a multifaceted term that extends beyond a simple label for a dead person. It encompasses the brutal finality of being **pierced** or **slain** in battle and the broader spiritual concept of being **profane** or polluted. As a cornerstone of prophetic warnings and legal statutes, **châlâl** functions as a solemn reminder of mortality, the severe consequences of sin, and the inescapable reality of divine judgment in the biblical narrative.
TRV