חָשַׁל (cha.shal)
cha.shal
be feeble
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chashal carries the core meaning of breaking or shattering into pieces. In its only biblical occurrence, found in Deuteronomy 25:18, it appears in the Niphal stem to describe those who are feeble, worn out, or broken down. This usage paints a vivid picture of physical exhaustion and vulnerability rather than simple weakness.
The context highlights Israel’s enemies attacking the stragglers at the rear of the march—those whose strength had been shattered by the journey. The term emphasizes a state of being broken into small parts, capturing the fragility of people who have reached their limit. Translators often render this as "weary" or "feeble," but the underlying image remains one of structural collapse.
This word stands apart from general terms for tiredness by its violent etymology. It suggests that the weakness is not natural decline but the result of being struck down or worn to pieces. The sources note an Aramaic equivalent with the same root meaning, reinforcing the idea of shattering as a decisive, damaging event.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chashal paints a striking picture of total exhaustion. It does not describe simple tiredness but rather a state of being broken down or shattered by the journey. In Deuteronomy, it describes those who fell behind because their strength had completely failed them under the weight of travel and heat.
This imagery reminds us that God sees those who are struggling at the back of the line. He notices the weary, the vulnerable, and those who have reached their physical limit. The text highlights how cruel it is to attack such people, showing that God cares deeply for the weak and oppressed.
When you feel worn out or unable to keep up, this word offers comfort. You are seen. Your struggle is real, and God’s justice protects those who cannot defend themselves. He invites us to extend that same compassion to others who may be faltering in their own journeys.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ stragglers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/נֶּחֱשָׁלִ֣ים1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 25:18
how he met you by the way, and struck the rearmost of you, all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn’t fear God.
This verse uses the word to describe the stragglers whose strength was shattered by the journey, highlighting God's concern for the vulnerable.