The Hebrew word châshal, represented by H2826, is a primitive root used to describe being unsteady, weak, or feeble. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular usage, however, occurs in a context of significant moral and historical weight.
The sole appearance of H2826 is in Deuteronomy 25:18, which recounts an attack on the Israelites. The word is used to identify the victims of this ambush: "even all that were feeble behind thee." These individuals were targeted precisely because of their weakened state, as they were also described as "faint and weary." The passage frames this as a cowardly act, committed by an enemy who "feared not God," making the term feeble central to defining both the vulnerability of the victims and the wickedness of the aggressor.
The context of H2826 is clarified by several words used alongside it in Deuteronomy 25:18:
- H2179 zânab (smite the hindmost): This verb, meaning to curtail or cut off the rear, describes the specific action taken against the weak. It illustrates a predatory attack focused on the vulnerable stragglers at the back of the group (Deuteronomy 25:18, Joshua 10:19).
- H5889 ʻâyêph (faint, thirsty, weary): This adjective describes the exhausted state of those who were feeble. It paints a picture of a people made languid and vulnerable by hardship, a condition referenced in other passages describing physical distress Isaiah 32:2.
- H3023 yâgêaʻ (weary, full of labour): Paired with faint, this term emphasizes that the people were tired from immense effort. This word reinforces that their feebleness was a result of physical exhaustion and not a moral failing 2 Samuel 17:2.
Despite its single use, the theological weight of H2826 is significant and focused.
- The Morality of Strength: The term highlights a stark moral contrast. The state of being feeble is one of circumstantial vulnerability. The narrative places the sin not on the weak, but squarely on the one who exploits that weakness for gain.
- A Measure of Godliness: The attack on the feeble is explicitly linked to a lack of reverence for God. The verse concludes, "and he feared not God" Deuteronomy 25:18, establishing a powerful principle: how one treats the weak and defenseless is a direct measure of one's fear of God.
- Divine Concern for the Vulnerable: By commanding the Israelites to remember this specific event, the text underscores God's identification with and concern for the helpless. The attack on the feeble is not just an act of war but a spiritual offense that God himself takes note of.
In summary, H2826 is a highly specific term whose meaning is amplified by its context. While it simply means feeble, its singular appearance in Deuteronomy 25:18 transforms it into a word of profound moral significance. It defines a state of vulnerability that, when exploited, represents a direct and contemptible act of defiance against God, who watches over the weak.
TRV