English · KJV
H5541

סָלָה

çâlâh /saw-law'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto hang up, i.e. weigh, or (figuratively) contemn
KJV usagetread down (under foot), value.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çâlâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word çâlâh, represented by H5541, is a primitive root with a dual meaning. It can signify the act of weighing something to determine its worth, and by extension, to value it. Figuratively, it can also mean to contemn or tread down under foot. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its specific and impactful usage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In Scripture, H5541 is used to convey two distinct concepts. In the book of Job, it is used in the context of valuation. Wisdom cannot be valued with the gold H3800 of Ophir H211 or other precious gems like the onyx H7718, sapphire H5601, or topaz H6357 (Job 28:16, Job 28:19). This usage emphasizes that some things are beyond material price. Conversely, the word is used to depict complete rejection and judgment. The Lord has trodden under foot the mighty men of Judah Lamentations 1:15, and He has trodden down all who err H7686 from His statutes H2706 Psalms 119:118.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which H5541 is used:

  • H1869 dârak (to tread; by implication, to walk): This word is used alongside H5541 to describe the physical act of judgment, as when the Lord has trodden the daughter of Judah in a winepress Lamentations 1:15.
  • H3368 yâqâr (valuable... precious): This term appears in the discussion of things that cannot be compared to wisdom, such as precious onyx Job 28:16, reinforcing the theme of immeasurable worth.
  • H7686 shâgâh (to stray... err): This word describes the moral failure that leads to being "trodden down" by God. It is applied to those who err from His statutes Psalms 119:118.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5541 is seen in its application to divine action and ultimate worth.

  • Divine Judgment: The word is used to portray God's active judgment against sin. He is the one who trodden down those who err H7686 from His statutes H2706 Psalms 119:118. This is not a passive disregard but a deliberate act of contempt for falsehood H8267 and rebellion, as when the Lord H136 trodden under foot Judah's mighty men H47 Lamentations 1:15.
  • Incomparable Worth: In contrast, the word is used to establish the supreme value of wisdom. By stating that wisdom cannot be valued H5541 with earthly treasures like the gold H3800 of Ophir H211 or precious H3368 stones, Scripture places divine wisdom in a category of its own, far above any material standard (Job 28:16, Job 28:19).
  • Sovereign Contempt and Esteem: Ultimately, H5541 illustrates God's sovereign authority to both esteem and contemn. He alone sets the standard for what is truly precious H3368 and what is to be trodden down as worthless.

Summary

In summary, H5541 çâlâh is a potent word that encapsulates the dual concepts of valuation and condemnation. Though rare in scripture, its usage is profound, illustrating God's absolute power to either tread down those who oppose His law or to establish the immeasurable value of things like wisdom, which surpasses all earthly riches. It demonstrates how a single term can convey both the highest esteem and the most complete rejection.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • תְסֻלֶּה
  • סִלָּה
  • סָלִיתָ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3800 כֶּתֶם from כָּתַם; properly, something carved out, i.e. ore; hence, gold (pure as originally mined); ((most) fine, pure) gold( H211 אוֹפִיר or (shortened) אֹפִיר; and אוֹפִר; of uncertain derivation; Ophir, the name of a son of Joktan, and of a gold region in H7718 שֹׁהַם from an unused root probably mean to blanch; a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color); onyx. H5601 סַפִּיר from סָפַר; a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire; sapphire. H6357 פִּטְדָה of foreign derivation; a gem, probably the topaz; topaz. H7686 שָׁגָה a primitive root; to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

2
Job
1
Psalms
1
Lamentations

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.