from כָּשַׁל; properly, a tottering, i.e. ruin; fall.
Transliteration:kishshâlôwn
Pronunciation:kish-shaw-lone'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H3783 (כִּשָּׁלוֹן, *kishshâlôwn*) derives directly from the verbal root `{{H3782}}` (כָּשַׁל, *kashal*), which signifies "to stumble," "to totter," or "to fall." Consequently, kishshâlôwn describes the state or outcome of such a collapse. Its primary meaning encompasses "a tottering" or "a stumbling," which extends semantically to "ruin" or "a fall" in a more comprehensive sense. It denotes not merely a minor misstep, but a significant, often catastrophic, collapse or failure. The word encapsulates the idea of an overthrow, a severe setback, or a state of complete instability leading to destruction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term kishshâlôwn appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, yet each occurrence carries substantial weight, consistently pointing to a profound and often irreversible downfall.
In [[Proverbs 16:18]], the word is used to describe the inevitable consequence of hubris: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a *fall* (כִּשָּׁלוֹן)." Here, kishshâlôwn is presented as the direct and severe outcome of an inflated ego, signifying a complete collapse from a position of perceived strength.
Jeremiah employs kishshâlôwn multiple times, frequently in contexts of divine judgment and military defeat:
* In [[Jeremiah 6:15]], speaking of the unrepentant people, it is declared: "Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall *stumble* (כִּשָּׁלוֹן), says the Lord." This kishshâlôwn is a direct result of their abominable practices and lack of shame, signifying their utter inability to stand in the face of God's wrath.
* [[Jeremiah 20:11]] offers a contrasting use, where kishshâlôwn describes the defeat of Jeremiah's persecutors: "But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will *stumble* (כִּשָּׁלוֹן); they will not prevail." Here, the word signifies the failure and humiliation of the enemies of God's prophet, demonstrating divine protection and vindication.
* In [[Jeremiah 46:6]], concerning the Egyptian army, it states: "Let not the swift flee, nor the mighty man escape; in the north by the river Euphrates they have *stumbled* (כִּשָּׁלוֹן) and fallen." This depicts a complete military rout, where the strength of the warriors is rendered useless, leading to their catastrophic defeat.
* Similarly, [[Jeremiah 46:12]] recounts: "The nations have heard of your shame, and your cry has filled the earth; for warrior has stumbled against warrior; they have both *fallen* (כִּשָּׁלוֹן) together." This verse reiterates the theme of utter military collapse and the ensuing disgrace.
Across these contexts, kishshâlôwn consistently denotes a significant and often public downfall, whether as a moral consequence, a divine judgment, or a military catastrophe. It is never a minor incident but a decisive and ruinous event.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to its verbal root, `{{H3782}}` (כָּשַׁל, *kashal*), "to stumble, totter, fall." While kashal describes the act of falling, kishshâlôwn denotes the state of ruin or the fall itself as a noun.
Another closely related term is `{{H4658}}` (מִכְשׁוֹל, *mikshol*), which means "a stumbling block" or "an occasion of stumbling." While mikshol refers to that which causes one to fall, kishshâlôwn is the actual fall or its devastating outcome.
Other words conveying similar concepts of ruin or collapse include:
* `{{H5307}}` (נָפַל, *naphal*): a general term for "to fall," though often less specifically tied to the idea of "stumbling" as the cause.
* `{{H2026}}` (הָרַס, *haras*): "to break down," "to overthrow," or "to demolish," often referring to structures or systems.
* `{{H6494}}` (פֶּרֶץ, *perets*): "a breach," "a gap," or "a disaster," implying a breaking through or breaking apart.
The semantic field of kishshâlôwn thus intersects with terms of destruction, defeat, and failure, but uniquely emphasizes the idea of a loss of balance or stability leading to a profound collapse.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of kishshâlôwn is profound, underscoring several key biblical principles. Primarily, it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and human pride. As seen in [[Proverbs 16:18]], a haughty spirit inevitably leads to a devastating fall, illustrating the divine order where arrogance is met with ruin. This highlights God's justice and His opposition to human self-exaltation.
Furthermore, kishshâlôwn frequently functions as an instrument of divine judgment. In Jeremiah, the word describes the inevitable collapse of those who defy God's will and refuse to repent ([[Jeremiah 6:15]]). This demonstrates God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations and individuals, where He orchestrates the downfall of the wicked.
Conversely, for God's faithful, kishshâlôwn can represent the defeat of their adversaries. The prophet Jeremiah's persecutors "stumble" ([[Jeremiah 20:11]]), signifying God's protective hand over His servants and His ultimate triumph over those who oppose His purposes. This offers reassurance that though the righteous may face hardship, their enemies will ultimately be overthrown.
In essence, kishshâlôwn speaks to the fragility of human strength and the certainty of ruin when one stands against the divine order. It is a powerful theological statement on accountability, judgment, and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness.
### Summary
H3783 (כִּשָּׁלוֹן, *kishshâlôwn*) is a potent Hebrew noun signifying a "fall" or "ruin" that stems from the root verb "to stumble." It denotes a profound and often catastrophic collapse, far beyond a mere misstep. Biblically, kishshâlôwn consistently appears in contexts that highlight the dire consequences of pride and sin, as seen in [[Proverbs 16:18]], where it describes the inevitable downfall of the arrogant. It is also a key term in portraying divine judgment, illustrating the complete overthrow of the disobedient ([[Jeremiah 6:15]]). Moreover, it is employed to depict the decisive defeat and humiliation of God's adversaries, as exemplified in Jeremiah's prophecies against his persecutors and the Egyptian army ([[Jeremiah 20:11]], [[Jeremiah 46:6, 12]]). Theologically, kishshâlôwn underscores the principle of divine justice, where unrighteousness leads to ultimate ruin, and God's sovereign power ensures the eventual triumph of His will over all opposition. It is a word that powerfully conveys the finality and gravity of a decisive collapse.
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