כָּלַם (ka.lam)
ka.lam
be humiliated
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb kâlam describes a deep sense of humiliation or disgrace, carrying the underlying idea of being wounded or injured through social shame. In its most common form, the Niphal, it signifies being put to shame, dishonored, or confounded by others. This usage appears frequently in prophetic literature, such as when Jeremiah describes the people’s failure and resulting confusion (Jeremiah 14:3), or when Isaiah notes that those who trust in idols are ultimately confounded (Isaiah 45:16).
The word is stronger than its near-synonym boz, which generally means to be afraid or timid. Kâlam implies a loss of honor and dignity rather than mere fear. In the Hiphil stem, it actively describes the act of insulting or treating someone shamefully, as seen when David’s men were insulted by Nabal (1 Samuel 25:7). This active sense highlights how shame can be inflicted upon another person through reproach or injury.
Translators often render kâlam as "ashamed," "confounded," or "put to shame." The term captures the painful experience of having one’s hopes dashed or reputation damaged in the public eye. It reflects a state where an individual or community feels exposed and dishonored, whether through divine judgment or human hostility. The consistent use of this word in books like Jeremiah and Isaiah underscores its importance in describing the consequences of turning away from God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kâlam describes a deep sense of humiliation or disgrace, often involving social shame and the wounding of one’s dignity. It is stronger than simple fear; it reflects the painful experience of having hopes dashed or reputation damaged in the public eye. This term captures the vulnerability we feel when our honor is stripped away, whether through human hostility or divine judgment.
In Scripture, this word appears frequently in prophetic literature to describe the consequences of turning away from God. Yet it also highlights moments of profound repentance and restoration. For instance, Ezra expresses deep shame over his people’s sins, lifting his face to God with humility (Ezra 9:6). Conversely, Isaiah promises that those who trust in Yahweh will not be confounded, finding security even when others are disgraced (Isaiah 45:17).
Understanding this word helps us navigate our own experiences of shame. It reminds us that while human rejection can wound deeply, God’s perspective offers a path to restoration. When we feel exposed or dishonored, we can look to the promises that those who seek God will not ultimately be put to shame. This truth invites us to find our worth not in public opinion, but in the steadfast love of the Lord.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- humiliated3×
- you will be put to shame1×
- you must humiliate/ her1×
- you have insulted/ me1×
- you be ashamed1×
- will she be put to shame1×
- when/ puts to shame1×
- we were humiliated1×
- we have humiliated/ them1×
- to exhibit shame1×
- to be ashamed1×
- they will be put to shame1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִכְלָמִ֣ים2×
- תַּכְלִימ֑וּ/נִי1×
- תִּכָּלְמִ֖י1×
- תַכְלִימֽוּ/הָ\׃1×
- תִכָּלֵ֖ם1×
- תִכָּלְמ֖וּ1×
- נִכְלָ֑מְתִּי1×
- נִכְלָ֑ם1×
- נִכְלַ֔מְתִּי1×
- נִכְלְמוּ֙1×
- נִכְלְמ֖וּ1×
- מַכְלִֽם\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 9:6
and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.
Ezra uses this word to express his personal shame and humility before God due to the nation's accumulated guilt.
-
Isaiah 45:17
Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting.
This verse contrasts the shame of idol makers with the eternal salvation and lack of confusion for Israel in Yahweh.
-
Jeremiah 6:15
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush. Therefore they will fall among those who fall. When I visit them, they will be cast down,” says Yahweh.
Here the word describes the people's lack of shame despite their abominations, highlighting their spiritual hardness.
-
II Samuel 10:5
When they told David this, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”
David’s men are described as greatly ashamed after being insulted by the Ammonites, showing the social weight of this disgrace.