חָסַל (cha.sal)
cha.sal
to consume
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chasal means to bring something to a final end or to consume it completely. It describes the act of finishing off a task or using up a resource until nothing remains. This word carries a sense of completion that is absolute, marking the point where a process stops and the result is fully realized.
Its single biblical appearance in Deuteronomy 28:38 illustrates this meaning clearly. The verse describes a scenario where crops are produced but then consumed by locusts, leaving the owner with nothing. Here, the word emphasizes total loss rather than gradual decline; the harvest is finished off entirely.
The root concept focuses on the termination of existence or utility. Unlike words that might imply partial use or slow decay, chasal points to a decisive conclusion. It serves as a linguistic marker for finality in the Hebrew text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chasal describes a total ending, where something is used up or finished off completely. In Deuteronomy 28:38, it paints a stark picture of crops being consumed by locusts until nothing remains. This absolute finality reminds us that some losses are sudden and total, leaving no room for gradual recovery.
Yet this Hebrew term also points to a deeper truth about completion. When resources vanish or plans fall apart, we face the reality of emptiness. But in our faith, even when earthly things are consumed, God’s promises remain untouched by such endings. His provision does not run out like a harvest under attack.
We can trust that what is truly ours in Christ cannot be devoured by circumstance. The same God who sees every loss also holds the final word on restoration. Even in seasons of scarcity, His grace is sufficient and complete.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it will consume/ it1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַחְסְלֶ֖/נּוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 28:38
You will carry much seed out into the field, and will gather little in, for the locust will consume it.
This verse uses chasal to describe locusts consuming the entire harvest, emphasizing total loss rather than partial damage.