Qâlâh — H7034

Definition

verb

to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be (causatively, hold) in contempt)

1. to disgrace, dishonour, be lightly esteemed, be dishonoured, be despised
1. (Niphal) to be dishonoured, be despised, be lightly esteemed
2. (Hiphil) to treat with contempt, dishonour, treat shamefully

Usually translated as

base, set light, seem vile, contemn, despise, lightly esteem

Origin

a primitive root

Greek equivalents

• aschēmonéō (G807)
• atimázō (G818)
• atimía (G819)
• átimos (G820)
• empaigmós (G1701)
• éndoxos (G1741)

Occurrences

Qâlâh occurs 6 times in the King James.

Distribution of the word across the Bible: Deuteronomy (2), 1 Samuel (1), Proverbs (1), Isaiah (2)

• Deuteronomy 25:3 — Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile (וְנִקְלָ֥ה) unto thee.
• Deuteronomy 27:16 — Cursed be he that setteth light (מַקְלֶ֥ה) by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
• 1 Samuel 18:23 — And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed (וְנִקְלֶֽה)?
• Proverbs 12:9 — He that is despised (נִ֭קְלֶה), and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
• Isaiah 3:5 — And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base (וְהַנִּקְלֶ֖ה) against the honourable.
• Isaiah 16:14 — But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned (וְנִקְלָה֙), with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.