סָלָא (sa.la)
sa.la
to weigh
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sâla means to weigh or to compare, appearing only once in the Old Testament at Lamentations 4:2. In this specific instance, it is used in the Pual stem, which gives the sense of being weighed. The context describes the precious children of Zion, who were previously considered as pure as gold and refined like fine silver, now being valued less than common clay pots.
This rare usage highlights a profound contrast between immense value and utter worthlessness. By employing a term associated with weighing precious metals, the text underscores how drastically the social and spiritual status of Jerusalem’s people had collapsed. The image is not just about physical weight but about a drastic reevaluation of worth in the eyes of the community.
Because it occurs so infrequently, sâla serves as a sharp literary tool rather than a common theological term. Its singular appearance in Lamentations emphasizes the shock of the loss, using the language of commerce and refinement to describe a tragedy that defies normal valuation. The word anchors the lament in the tangible reality of things being measured and found wanting.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sâla appears only once in Scripture, found in Lamentations 4:2. It describes the act of weighing precious metals to determine their true value. In this verse, the text uses this imagery to show a heartbreaking shift. The children of Zion, once as pure and valuable as fine gold, are now weighed and found to be worth less than common clay pots.
This single word captures the depth of loss felt by the people of Jerusalem. It is not just about physical weight but a complete reevaluation of worth. When life feels like it has lost its value, this verse reminds us that our true worth is not determined by our current circumstances or how others measure us. God sees the gold within us, even when the world sees only broken clay.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- who/ were weighed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מְסֻלָּאִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 4:2
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how they are esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
This verse uses the word to contrast the former high value of Zion's children with their current low status as mere earthen pitchers.