a primitive root; to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam); cast up, exalt (self), extol, make plain, raise up.
Transliteration:çâlal
Pronunciation:saw-lal'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H5549 (סָלַל, çâlal) is a primitive root fundamentally conveying the idea of "lifting up," "raising," or "mounding." Its most concrete and frequent application is in the context of constructing a raised path or highway, a "turnpike," by casting up earth or stones. This action implies preparation, making a way smooth, elevated, or accessible. Figuratively, çâlal extends to the concept of "exalting" or "lifting up" in a metaphorical sense. This can be positive, as in extolling wisdom, or negative, as in self-exaltation. The reflexive sense, "to oppose (as by a dam)," highlights the versatility of the root: the action of "mounding up" can also be used to create barriers or obstructions, thus "building up against" someone or something. The related idea of "making plain" or "clearing" a way is a direct derivation from the preparation of such a smooth, elevated path.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H5549 appears in various contexts, illustrating its semantic breadth:
* **Preparing a Highway for the Lord:** This is arguably the most significant theological usage. In [[Isaiah 57:14]] and [[Isaiah 62:10]], the command "Cast up, cast up the highway!" (סֹלּוּ סֹלּוּ הַמְסִלָּה) is a prophetic call to prepare the way for the return of God's people or for the Lord Himself. Similarly, [[Psalm 68:4]] (Hebrew 68:5) exhorts, "Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts," referring to Yahweh. These passages evoke the imagery of clearing obstacles and making a grand, elevated path for divine manifestation or the journey of the redeemed.
* **Making a Path Plain or Clear:** In [[Proverbs 15:19]], "the path of the upright is made plain" (וְאֹרַח יְשָׁרִים סְלֻלָה). Here, çâlal signifies a clear, unobstructed, and perhaps elevated path, contrasting with the thorny way of the sluggard. [[Psalm 78:50]] states that God "made a path for His anger" (פִּלֵּס נָתִיב לְאַפּוֹ), indicating the removal of obstacles to allow divine judgment to proceed unimpeded.
* **Exalting or Promoting:** [[Proverbs 4:8]] uses çâlal in a positive sense: "Exalt her [wisdom], and she shall promote thee" (סַלְסְלֶהָ וּתְרוֹמְמֶךָּ). This highlights wisdom as something to be lifted up and honored, leading to personal advancement.
* **Mounding Up Against / Opposing:** In a more adversarial sense, [[Job 19:12]] describes enemies who "cast up their way against me" (וַיָּסֹלּוּ עָלַי דַּרְכָּם), implying the building of siege ramps or hostile obstructions. [[Job 30:12]] similarly speaks of those who "cast up against me their ways of destruction" (סָלְלוּ עָלַי אָרְחוֹת אֵידָם). [[Jeremiah 50:26]] uses çâlal in the context of "casting up her mounds" (סֹלּוּ סֻלְלָה), likely referring to siege ramps built against a city.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H5549 intersects with several other significant Hebrew terms:
* **Building and Construction:** `{{H1129}}` (bânâh, "to build") and `{{H6213}}` (ʿâśâh, "to make, do") share the general concept of construction, though çâlal specifically denotes raising or mounding.
* **Paths and Ways:** `{{H1870}}` (derekh, "way, path") and `{{H5410}}` (nâthîyb, "path, track") are frequently associated with çâlal when describing the preparation or nature of a road.
* **Exaltation and Praise:** `{{H7311}}` (rûm, "to be high, exalted") and `{{H1984}}` (hâlal, "to praise, boast") overlap with çâlal in its figurative sense of exalting or lifting up. While rûm often denotes inherent height or divine exaltation, çâlal can describe the active process of making something high or honored.
* **Preparation and Clearing:** Concepts like `{{H6437}}` (pânâh, "to turn, prepare") resonate with çâlal's role in making a way ready.
* **Obstruction and Opposition:** Terms like `{{H6887}}` (tsûr, "to bind, besiege") or `{{H6965}}` (qûm, "to rise, stand up against") relate to the adversarial sense of çâlal when it signifies building barriers or opposing forces.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of H5549 is profound, particularly in its prophetic usage. The command to "cast up the highway" for the Lord ([[Isaiah 57:14]], [[Isaiah 62:10]], [[Psalm 68:4]]) is a powerful metaphor for spiritual preparation. It signifies:
* **Divine Advent and Salvation:** The clearing of a path symbolizes the removal of spiritual and physical obstacles that hinder God's redemptive work or His coming to His people. It anticipates a glorious return or manifestation of the Lord.
* **Human Responsibility:** This imagery places a responsibility on humanity to prepare their hearts and lives, to remove the "stumbling blocks" ([[Isaiah 57:14]]) that impede God's presence and action. This resonates deeply with the New Testament call of John the Baptist to "prepare the way of the Lord" ([[Matthew 3:3]]).
* **God's Sovereignty and Purpose:** Even when çâlal describes God "making a path for His anger" ([[Psalm 78:50]]), it underscores His deliberate and purposeful action in judgment, where nothing can obstruct His will.
* **The Way of Righteousness:** The "plain path" of the upright ([[Proverbs 15:19]]) and the call to "exalt wisdom" ([[Proverbs 4:8]]) highlight that a life aligned with divine principles leads to clarity, progress, and promotion, in contrast to the tangled and difficult path of the wicked.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H5549 (סָלַל, çâlal) is a rich and dynamic verb with a core meaning of "to lift up," "to mound," or "to raise." Its primary concrete application involves the construction of a raised highway or path, symbolizing preparation and the removal of obstacles. Theologically, çâlal is most potently employed in the prophetic literature to describe the imperative to "cast up the highway" for the Lord, signifying both the divine readiness to act and humanity's responsibility to prepare for God's advent and redemptive work. Beyond this, its semantic range extends to the positive act of exalting wisdom and, conversely, the negative action of building up barriers or opposing forces. Across its various occurrences, çâlal consistently evokes the fundamental idea of "raising" or "mounding up," whether for passage, honor, or obstruction.
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