or (feminine) מַחֲלָה; from חָלָה; sickness; disease, infirmity, sickness.
Transliteration:machăleh
Pronunciation:makh-al-eh'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַחֲלֶה (machăleh, `{{H4245}}`), and its feminine counterpart מַחֲלָה (machălâh), derives from the verbal root חָלָה (ḥālāh, `{{H2470}}`), which signifies "to be sick," "to be weak," "to be grieved," or "to be diseased." As a noun, מַחֲלֶה primarily denotes a state of physical ailment, illness, or disease. Its semantic range encompasses general sickness, specific diseases, and conditions of infirmity or weakness. The word focuses on the *state* of being unwell, rather than the specific cause or the process of healing. It describes the bodily experience of being afflicted by a malady, conveying the vulnerability inherent in such a condition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַחֲלֶה appears in several significant Old Testament passages, primarily within the Pentateuch and Chronicles, often in contexts relating to divine covenant and judgment.
In [[Exodus 15:26]], God declares Himself as "the Lord who heals" (Yahweh Rapha), promising Israel: "If you diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, then I will put none of the diseases (מַחֲלֶה) on you which I have put on the Egyptians." Here, "machăleh" is presented as a consequence of divine action, a means of judgment upon Egypt, which God promises to withhold from obedient Israel, linking health directly to covenant fidelity.
Similarly, [[Deuteronomy 7:15]] reiterates this promise within the context of the covenant blessings: "And the Lord will take away from you all sickness (מַחֲלֶה), and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, on you, but will lay them on all who hate you." This verse reinforces God's control over disease, portraying its removal as a sign of His protective care for His people.
Conversely, in the comprehensive list of covenant curses in [[Deuteronomy 28]], "machăleh" features prominently as a consequence of disobedience. [[Deuteronomy 28:59]] warns of "great plagues and lasting plagues, and severe and lasting sicknesses (מַחֲלֶה)." This is further elaborated in [[Deuteronomy 28:61]], which speaks of "every sickness (מַחֲלֶה) and every plague which is not written in the book of this law." These passages emphasize the severity and comprehensive nature of divine judgment, where "machăleh" becomes a tangible manifestation of God's displeasure.
In the historical books, [[2 Chronicles 16:12]] records the illness of King Asa: "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased (מַחֲלֶה) in his feet, and his disease (מַחֲלֶה) was exceedingly severe; yet in his disease (מַחֲלֶה) he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians." This instance highlights human response to illness, specifically Asa's failure to seek divine intervention, underscoring a theological point about reliance on God even in physical suffering.
Across these occurrences, "machăleh" consistently points to God's sovereign hand in human health, whether in blessing or judgment, and underscores the human condition of vulnerability to physical affliction.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of מַחֲלֶה (machăleh, `{{H4245}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
1. **Root Word:** The most direct relation is to its verbal root, חָלָה (ḥālāh, `{{H2470}}`), "to be sick, weak, or grieved." This root establishes the fundamental meaning of physical or emotional distress from which the noun form derives.
2. **Other Terms for Affliction/Disease:**
* נֶגַע (negaʿ, `{{H5061}}`): Often translated as "plague" or "stroke," frequently implying a divinely sent affliction, particularly in relation to leprosy. While "machăleh" describes the state of sickness, "negaʿ" often points to the *source* or *nature* of a specific, often punitive, affliction.
* מַכָּה (makkâh, `{{H4347}}`): "Blow," "wound," or "plague." This term often describes a physical injury or a punitive strike, similar to "negaʿ" but with a broader application.
* כְּאֵב (kĕ'ēḇ, `{{H3511}}`): "Pain" or "grief." This word describes the sensory experience of suffering, whether physical or emotional, which can accompany "machăleh."
* דּוֶה (dōweh, `{{H1739}}`): "Sickness" or "menstrual impurity." This term often carries connotations of uncleanness or a debilitating condition, sometimes specifically related to bodily discharges.
3. **Theological Concepts:**
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The recurring theme is God's ultimate control over health and disease, as seen in His ability to bring or remove "machăleh."
* **Covenant Fidelity:** "Machăleh" serves as a tangible indicator of the blessings and curses associated with obedience or disobedience to God's covenant.
* **Human Frailty:** The presence of "machăleh" in the biblical narrative highlights the inherent vulnerability and mortality of humanity in a fallen world.
* **God as Healer:** Despite the punitive aspects, the promise to remove "machăleh" points to God's redemptive character as Yahweh Rapha, the Lord who heals.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַחֲלֶה (machăleh, `{{H4245}}`) is profound, revealing key aspects of God's character, His relationship with humanity, and the nature of suffering in the biblical worldview.
Firstly, "machăleh" unequivocally underscores the **sovereignty of God** over all aspects of creation, including human health. Whether it is a plague upon Egypt or a promise of protection for Israel, God is consistently portrayed as the ultimate agent who "puts" or "takes away" sickness [[Deuteronomy 7:15]]. This demonstrates His absolute power and authority, reminding humanity of its complete dependence on the divine.
Secondly, "machăleh" is deeply interwoven with the **covenant relationship** between God and Israel. It functions as a tangible sign within the Mosaic covenant: obedience brings divine protection from disease, while disobedience invites "machăleh" as a form of divine discipline or judgment [[Deuteronomy 28:59]]. This highlights the conditional nature of certain covenant blessings and serves as a powerful motivator for fidelity. It is not merely a random occurrence but often a direct consequence of a broken relationship with God.
Thirdly, the presence of "machăleh" in the biblical narrative serves as a stark reminder of **human vulnerability and the effects of the Fall**. In a world marred by sin, physical suffering and disease are realities. The term points to the brokenness of creation and the frailty of the human body, which is subject to decay and illness. This vulnerability underscores humanity's need for divine intervention and ultimate redemption.
Finally, despite its association with judgment and human frailty, "machăleh" ultimately points to God as the **ultimate Healer and Redeemer**. The promise to remove "machăleh" [[Exodus 15:26]] reveals God's compassionate nature and His desire for the well-being of His people. This foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ, who, in the New Testament, frequently demonstrates His divine power by healing all manner of diseases, ultimately conquering the effects of sin and death. Thus, "machăleh" serves as a theological backdrop against which God's healing power and redemptive purposes are vividly displayed.
### Summary
The Hebrew term מַחֲלֶה (machăleh, `{{H4245}}`), derived from the root חָלָה (ḥālāh, `{{H2470}}`), precisely denotes a state of physical illness, disease, or infirmity. Its usage in the Old Testament is deeply embedded within the framework of God's covenant with Israel, serving as a powerful indicator of divine blessing or judgment. Passages such as [[Deuteronomy 7:15]] and [[Deuteronomy 28:59]] illustrate God's sovereign control over health, promising to withhold or inflict "machăleh" based on Israel's obedience or disobedience. The term consistently underscores God's absolute authority over human well-being, highlighting both His capacity for righteous judgment and His compassionate nature as Yahweh Rapha, the Lord who heals [[Exodus 15:26]]. While "machăleh" emphasizes human vulnerability and the brokenness inherent in a fallen world, its biblical occurrences ultimately direct the reader to God as the ultimate source of both affliction and healing, reinforcing the theological truth of His complete sovereignty and redemptive purpose.
TRV