כְּלִמָּה (ke.lim.mah)
ke.lim.mah
shame
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kĕlimmâ denotes a profound state of disgrace or public shame. It describes the social and emotional pain that comes when honor is stripped away, often through insult, reproach, or humiliation. In the Old Testament, this word captures the deep sting of being mocked or treated with contempt by others.
Its usage frequently appears in contexts where individuals or communities face ridicule for their faith or circumstances. The prophets and psalmists employ it to express the anguish of suffering unjustly while remaining faithful. For instance, Psalm 123:3 asks God to spare His people from being "a reproach to their neighbors," reflecting a plea to escape this specific type of social degradation.
Etymologically, the word is linked to the root meaning "to be ashamed" or "confused." It implies not just an internal feeling but an external reality where one’s reputation is damaged. The sources highlight its occurrence in Isaiah and Jeremiah, where it often accompanies the suffering of God’s people, emphasizing the tension between divine favor and human scorn.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kĕlimmâ describes a heavy, public disgrace that strips away honor and leaves one feeling exposed to ridicule. In the ancient world, shame was not just an internal emotion but a social reality where reputation was damaged by others' mockery or contempt. When biblical writers used this term, they were often expressing the deep pain of being misunderstood or scorned despite their faithfulness.
Yet Scripture does not leave us in this darkness. The prophets and psalmists frequently cried out to God when facing such humiliation, trusting that He sees their integrity even when others do not. There is a profound hope in passages like Isaiah 61:7, which promises that those who endure shame will eventually receive double honor. This reversal reminds us that our worth is defined by God’s view of us, not by the opinions of those who seek to diminish us.
When you feel misunderstood or unfairly treated, remember that you are part of a long line of believers who have brought their pain before the Lord. He does not ignore your dignity. Instead, He offers comfort and the assurance that true honor comes from Him alone, turning moments of disgrace into testimonies of His faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ ignominy4×
- ignominy2×
- insult/ my1×
- in <the>/ ignominy1×
- ignominy of1×
- ignomini[es]1×
- from/ insults1×
- disgrace/ our1×
- <into>/ ignominy1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/כְלִמָּ֑ה2×
- מִ/כְּלִמּ֖וֹת1×
- לִ/כְלִמָּֽה\׃1×
- כְּלִמּֽוֹת\׃1×
- כְּלִמָּתֵ/נוּ֒1×
- כְּלִמָּתִ֣/י1×
- כְּלִמָּ֑ה1×
- כְּלִמַּ֥ת1×
- כְלִמָּ֖ה1×
- וּ/כְלִמָּֽה\׃1×
- וּ/כְלִמָּ֖ה1×
- בַ/כְּלִמָּ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 61:7
Instead of your shame you will have double. Instead of dishonor, they will rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double. Everlasting joy will be to them.
This verse promises a divine reversal where double honor replaces shame, offering hope to those who have suffered public disgrace.
-
Psalms 109:29
Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor. Let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
The psalmist asks that shame be worn like a garment by adversaries, highlighting the word's use in contexts of unjust conflict.
-
Isaiah 50:6
I gave my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. I didn’t hide my face from shame and spitting.
Here the suffering servant refuses to hide his face from shame, showing steadfastness even when facing humiliation and spitting.
-
Jeremiah 3:25
Let us lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us; for we have sinned against Yahweh our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day. We have not obeyed Yahweh our God’s voice.”
This confession links national shame directly to sin against God, showing how the word captures communal guilt and regret.