חָדַל (cha.dal)
cha.dal
to cease
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 49 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chadal means to stop, cease, or leave off an activity. Its core sense describes a transition from motion to stillness, often implying that something has come to an end or been abandoned. In the Old Testament, it appears frequently in narrative and poetic texts to mark the conclusion of labor, conflict, or divine action.
The word carries a nuance of slackening or becoming idle, suggesting that the cessation is not always abrupt but can involve a winding down. This is visible when the Bible describes people leaving off their work or enemies ceasing their attacks. For instance, Genesis 11:8 uses chadal to describe how the builders at Babel left off constructing the city, and Judges 5:6 notes that the highways rested as travelers chose detour paths during times of unrest.
Translators typically render chadal as "cease" or "leave off," though context determines whether the action stops permanently or temporarily. The term appears in significant commands, such as Isaiah 1:16 where God tells the people to cease doing evil, highlighting a moral dimension to the act of stopping. Its usage spans from historical accounts in Chronicles to the poetic reflections in Job, showing its versatility in describing both physical rest and behavioral change.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chadal captures the moment when motion gives way to stillness. It describes stopping an action, whether that is leaving off work, ending a conflict, or simply pausing a conversation. In daily life, this transition can feel like failure if we are forced to stop by circumstances, but Scripture often presents it as a necessary rhythm. Sometimes ceasing is an act of wisdom, allowing space for God to step in where our own efforts have reached their limit.
Consider how Moses prayed and the thunder ceased (Exodus 9:33), or how Naomi stopped urging Ruth when she saw her friend’s resolve (Ruth 1:18). These moments show that stopping is not always a sign of defeat. It can be a deliberate choice to trust God’s timing or to respect another person’s path. When we feel the weight of endless striving, remembering this word invites us to rest in the peace that comes when we lay down our burdens.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 49 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cease9×
- and/ he ceased4×
- ¿/ will I cease3×
- they ceased3×
- will I desist2×
- they cease2×
- refrain2×
- it had ceased2×
- and/ they ceased2×
- will we refrain1×
- will I refrain1×
- will I cease1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֶחְדָּ֑ל4×
- חֲדַל\־3×
- וַ/יֶּחְדַּ֕ל3×
- הֶ/חֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙3×
- יֶחְדַּ֥ל2×
- חָדֵ֑לּוּ2×
- חֲדַ֥ל2×
- תֶחְדָּֽל\׃1×
- נֶחְדָּ֑ל1×
- מֵ/חֲדֹ֖ל1×
- יֶחְדָּל֗וּ/ן1×
- יֶחְדַּל\־1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 9:33
Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to Yahweh; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth.
This verse shows chadal describing the immediate end of divine judgment, marking a clear pause that offers Pharaoh an opportunity to respond.
-
Ruth 1:18
When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
Here Naomi ceases her urging, demonstrating how stopping can be an act of respect for another’s determined heart rather than stubbornness.
-
I Samuel 12:23
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
Samuel uses this word to define his lifelong commitment, stating he will never cease praying, which frames cessation as a sin only when it involves neglecting duty.
-
Genesis 11:8
So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city.
The builders at Babel stopped building because God scattered them, showing how divine intervention can abruptly halt human ambition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word chadal mean?
Is chadal always negative?
How is chadal different from other words for stopping?
Every Occurrence (49 verses across 15 books)
Genesis 3 verses
So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city.
Genesis 18:11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
Genesis 41:49Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.