### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כְּלִמּוּת (kᵉlimmûwth), Strong's `{{H3640}}`, denotes a profound state of "disgrace" or "shame." Derived from כְּלִמָּה (kᵉlimmâ) `{{H3639}}`, and ultimately from the root כָּלַם (kalam) `{{H3637}}` meaning "to be put to shame, confounded, disgraced," kᵉlimmûwth signifies a deep, often public, and intensely humiliating experience. It is not merely a fleeting embarrassment but a pervasive sense of dishonor, often tied to moral failure, divine judgment, or a profound reversal of fortune. The term conveys a state where one's honor is stripped away, leaving one exposed to public scorn and internal anguish. It can describe both the feeling of shame and the state of being disgraced.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כְּלִמּוּת (kᵉlimmûwth) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly significant, each revealing a facet of its weighty meaning:
* **[[Psalms 44:15]]**: "All day long my disgrace is before me, and the shame of my face has covered me." In this communal lament, the people of Israel express their profound humiliation and feeling of abandonment by God despite their perceived faithfulness. The kᵉlimmûwth here is a national disgrace, a public spectacle of weakness and defeat that covers their faces, signifying a loss of honor and a deep sense of divine displeasure, even if unmerited from their perspective. It highlights the internal and external dimensions of shame.
* **[[Jeremiah 20:18]]**: "Why did I come out from the womb to see trouble and sorrow, that my days should be spent in shame?" Here, the prophet Jeremiah utters a personal lament, expressing the profound kᵉlimmûwth he experiences as a result of his prophetic ministry. His message is rejected, he is persecuted, and his life is filled with suffering, leading him to question his very existence. This occurrence reveals kᵉlimmûwth as the bitter fruit of a difficult calling, a deep personal anguish arising from perceived failure or futility in God's service.
* **[[Daniel 12:2]]**: "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." This is arguably the most impactful occurrence, placing kᵉlimmûwth in an eschatological context. Here, it describes the eternal fate of the unrighteous. Their resurrection leads not to life but to "shame" (kᵉlimmûwth) and "everlasting contempt" (בּוּז - bûz `{{H937}}`). This signifies an ultimate, irreversible, and eternal state of dishonor and condemnation, a profound spiritual disgrace that is the antithesis of eternal life and glory. It underscores the ultimate consequences of rebellion against God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of kᵉlimmûwth is rich and interconnected with other terms expressing shame, disgrace, and reproach:
* **כְּלִמָּה (kᵉlimmâ) `{{H3639}}`**: This is the immediate base word, also meaning "shame, reproach, disgrace." kᵉlimmûwth can be seen as an intensified or abstract form, emphasizing the state or condition of disgrace. Both terms stem from the same root.
* **כָּלַם (kalam) `{{H3637}}`**: The verbal root, meaning "to be ashamed, confounded, disgraced." This verb describes the action or state of being put to shame.
* **בּוּשׁ (bûsh) `{{H954}}`**: "To be ashamed, confounded, disappointed." While often referring to the internal feeling of shame or embarrassment, bûsh can also denote public disgrace when one's expectations are thwarted or one's actions are exposed. It frequently appears in parallel with kalam.
* **חֶרְפָּה (ḥerpāh) `{{H2781}}`**: "Reproach, scorn, disgrace, taunt." This term often carries the connotation of external, public shaming, involving verbal abuse or mockery. While kᵉlimmûwth can involve public exposure, ḥerpāh more directly emphasizes the act of reproaching.
* **בּוּז (bûz) `{{H937}}`**: "Contempt, scorn." As seen in [[Daniel 12:2]], bûz often accompanies kᵉlimmûwth, highlighting the disdain and scorn directed at the disgraced.
Together, these words paint a comprehensive picture of the various facets of shame in the biblical worldview, from internal anguish to public humiliation and ultimate divine judgment. kᵉlimmûwth often represents the most severe and enduring form of this state.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כְּלִמּוּת (kᵉlimmûwth) is profound, touching upon themes of divine justice, human accountability, and eschatological destiny:
* **Consequence of Sin and Disobedience**: While not always explicitly stated as a direct punishment, kᵉlimmûwth often arises as a consequence of turning away from God or failing to adhere to His covenant. It represents a loss of divine favor and honor, a reversal of the blessings promised for obedience. The shame experienced by Israel in [[Psalms 44:15]] reflects a perceived or actual state of divine abandonment, which, in the covenantal framework, is often linked to corporate sin.
* **Prophetic Suffering and Identification**: Jeremiah's lament in [[Jeremiah 20:18]] highlights that kᵉlimmûwth can also be the lot of the righteous, particularly prophets, who suffer for their faithfulness in a rebellious world. In this context, the shame is not a result of their own sin but a consequence of their identification with God's unpopular message and the rejection they face. This foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who endured shame for the sake of His people.
* **Eschatological Judgment and Eternal Destiny**: The most chilling aspect of kᵉlimmûwth is its eternal dimension in [[Daniel 12:2]]. Here, it is presented as the ultimate, irreversible fate of the wicked. This "everlasting shame" is a stark contrast to "everlasting life," signifying a permanent state of alienation from God's glory and presence. It is a spiritual and existential disgrace, a final verdict that condemns the unrighteous to eternal dishonor and contempt. This concept underscores the severity of God's judgment and the ultimate consequences of rejecting His offer of salvation.
* **Antithesis of God's Glory**: In a theological sense, kᵉlimmûwth stands in direct opposition to the glory, honor, and blessing that flow from a right relationship with God. It represents the stripping away of dignity and the exposure of spiritual nakedness before a holy God.
### Summary
כְּלִמּוּת (kᵉlimmûwth) `{{H3640}}` is a potent Hebrew term signifying a deep, pervasive, and often public state of "disgrace" or "shame." Rooted in the concept of being confounded or put to shame, it describes a profound loss of honor and a sense of humiliation. Its biblical occurrences reveal its multifaceted nature: as a corporate lamentation over national humiliation and perceived divine abandonment ([[Psalms 44:15]]), as a personal anguish experienced by a faithful prophet in the face of rejection ([[Jeremiah 20:18]]), and most significantly, as an eternal, ultimate judgment for the unrighteous in the eschatological future ([[Daniel 12:2]]). Theologically, kᵉlimmûwth underscores the severe consequences of sin and disobedience, the potential suffering of the righteous, and the eternal condemnation awaiting those who reject God. It stands as a powerful reminder of the profound difference between the transient shames of this life and the everlasting disgrace that is the antithesis of eternal life and divine glory.
TRV