### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) is a noun derived from the verbal root qālaś (`{{H7046}}`), which means "to mock," "to scorn," or "to deride." Consequently, qeleç fundamentally refers to the *object* or *result* of such actions. Its semantic range encompasses "derision," "scorn," "contempt," and "a laughing-stock." It describes the state of being ridiculed, made an object of public scorn, or subjected to taunts and contemptuous laughter. The term inherently carries a negative connotation, implying humiliation and disgrace.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) appears exclusively twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances found within the book of Ezekiel, which lends significant weight to its specific contextual usage.
1. **[[Ezekiel 22:4]]**: "You have become guilty by the blood you have shed and defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days near, and have come to your years; therefore I have made you a qeleç (derision) to the nations and a mockery to all the lands."
In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel pronounces divine judgment upon Jerusalem. The city's profound sinfulness, particularly its bloodshed and idolatry, has led to a state where God Himself declares He has made it a "derision" (`{{H7047}}`) to the surrounding nations. The parallel term "mockery" (לַעַג, la'ag, `{{H3933}}`) reinforces the idea of public humiliation and loss of honor. The context is one of severe divine discipline, where Israel's unfaithfulness results in its shame before the world.
2. **[[Ezekiel 36:4]]**: "therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and to the hills, to the ravines and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the deserted cities, which have become a prey and a qeleç (derision) to the rest of the nations all around."
Here, the focus shifts to the land of Israel, which has suffered desolation and become a "derision" (`{{H7047}}`) to the surrounding nations. The land, once promised and blessed, is now a symbol of Israel's downfall and a target of scorn from its enemies. This verse underscores the complete reversal of fortune for the covenant people, whose land, like their capital, has become an object of contempt due to their disobedience.
In both occurrences, qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) is inextricably linked to the consequences of Israel's sin, specifically idolatry and moral corruption, leading to divine judgment expressed through public humiliation and scorn from other nations.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **qālaś (`{{H7046}}`)**: As the verbal root, qālaś signifies the action of mocking or deriding. qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) is the noun that describes the *state* of being mocked or the *object* of derision. Understanding the active verb illuminates the passive state described by the noun.
* **la'ag (לַעַג, `{{H3933}}`)**: Meaning "mockery," "scorn," or "derision," this word frequently appears in parallel with qeleç (`{{H7047}}`), as seen in [[Ezekiel 22:4]]. Their close semantic relationship highlights the multifaceted nature of public contempt.
* **shammah (שַׁמָּה, `{{H8077}}`)**: This term denotes "desolation," "horror," or "appalling thing." While not a direct synonym, the state of being a qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) often arises from the desolation (e.g., [[Ezekiel 36:4]]) that God brings upon a rebellious people, making them a spectacle of horror and derision.
* **ḥerpah (חֶרְפָּה, `{{H2781}}`)**: Meaning "reproach," "disgrace," or "shame," ḥerpah captures the broader concept of public humiliation that is inherent in being a qeleç (`{{H7047}}`). To be an object of derision is to experience profound disgrace.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) in Ezekiel is profound. It underscores a critical aspect of divine judgment: the public humiliation of a people who had been uniquely chosen and blessed by God. For Israel, whose identity and security were predicated on their covenant relationship with Yahweh, becoming a "derision" (`{{H7047}}`) to the very nations they were meant to influence was the ultimate reversal of fortune. It signified the withdrawal of God's protective hand and the exposure of their vulnerability and disgrace.
This concept serves as a powerful warning against covenant infidelity and idolatry. It illustrates how disobedience can lead not only to internal suffering but also to external shame, fulfilling the curses outlined in the covenant (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 28:37]]). The derision from the nations was a tangible sign that Israel had failed in its mission and that God's glory, which should have been reflected through His people, was instead compromised by their sin.
However, within the broader sweep of Ezekiel's prophecy, the state of qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) is not the final word. The very context that describes the desolation and derision also contains promises of future restoration and vindication. God's ultimate purpose is to restore His people and His land, not for their sake, but for the sake of His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations (e.g., [[Ezekiel 36:22-23]]). Thus, the temporary state of derision serves to highlight God's justice and holiness, ultimately paving the way for a demonstration of His redemptive power and faithfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) signifies "derision," "scorn," or "a laughing-stock," stemming from the verb qālaś (`{{H7046}}`) meaning "to mock." Its limited but impactful usage in Ezekiel consistently portrays Israel or its land as becoming an object of contempt to surrounding nations. This state of qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) is directly linked to God's judgment upon Israel for its covenant infidelity and idolatry, highlighting the severe consequences of disobedience, including public humiliation and loss of honor. Theologically, qeleç (`{{H7047}}`) powerfully conveys the reversal of fortune for a chosen people when they abandon their divine calling, yet within the prophetic narrative, this period of derision ultimately serves to magnify God's justice and pave the way for future restoration and the vindication of His holy name among the nations.
TRV