What does קָלַל · καταράομαι mean in the Bible?
קָלַל · καταράομαι is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to treat with contempt or pronounce a curse".
Hebrew · H7043, G2672
קָלַל
To be (causatively, make ) light , literally ( swift , small , sharp , etc.) or figuratively ( easy , trifling , vile , etc.) · to execrate; by analogy, to doom
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
קָלַלH7043to be (causatively, make ) light , literally ( swift , small , sharp , etc.) or figuratively ( easy , trifling , vile , etc.)
Pronunciationqālal
Core semantic shift from physical lightness to moral degradation; cursing involves making someone light or worthless.
Open lexicon entry →καταράομαιG2672to execrate; by analogy, to doom
Pronunciationkataráomai
To curse someone by invoking divine judgment or condemnation; opposite of blessing.
Open lexicon entry →What does קָלַל (qalal) mean in the Bible?
קָלַל · καταράομαι is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to treat with contempt or pronounce a curse".
Full entry for קָלַל (H7043, G2672) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H7043, G2672?
H7043, G2672 is connected to 82 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to treat with contempt or pronounce a curse
Source Gloss
to treat with contempt or pronounce a curse
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups7Aligned forms45
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action9×
Sequential imperfect1Kgs 12:4 · 1Kgs 12:9 · 1Kgs 12:10 · 2Chr 10:4 · 2Chr 10:9 · 2Chr 10:106×
PerfectEzek 22:7 · Isa 8:232×
Imperfect1Sam 6:51×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense8×
Perfect2Sam 1:23 · Gen 8:11 · Jer 4:13 · Job 7:6 · Job 9:25 · Job 40:4 · Nah 1:147×
Imperfect1Sam 2:301×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action17×
Imperfect2Sam 16:9 · 2Sam 16:10 · Lev 20:9 · Lev 24:15 · Prov 30:11 · Exod 22:27 · Lev 19:14 · Ps 62:5 · Ps 109:289×
Perfect2Sam 19:22 · Lev 20:9 · Eccl 7:223×
Participle active1Sam 3:13 · Prov 20:202×
JussiveEccl 10:202×
Sequential imperfect2Sam 16:101×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action6×
Perfect2Kgs 20:10 · Isa 49:62×
Participle passiveJer 6:14 · Jer 8:112×
ImperfectIsa 30:161×
Participle activeProv 14:61×
Pilpel2×
PerfectEccl 10:10 · Ezek 21:262×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject2×
ImperfectIsa 65:20 · Job 24:182×
Pealal1×
PerfectJer 4:241×
Word Origins
קָלַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.