קְלָלָה (qe.la.lah)
qe.la.lah
curse
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun qelalah denotes a formal curse, execration, or act of vilification. Rooted in the verb for being light or worthless, it describes a state of being under divine judgment or social disgrace. In Scripture, it often appears as a solemn warning of consequences that follow disobedience, particularly in the covenantal laws of Deuteronomy.
This word carries significant theological weight, especially in Deuteronomy 28, where it lists the specific calamities awaiting Israel if they break their covenant with God. It is not merely an insult but a declaration of broken relationship and loss of blessing. The sources highlight its use in narratives like Genesis 27:12, where Isaac fears becoming a target of such a curse, showing its power to alter destiny.
Translators typically render qelalah as "curse" or "cursing," capturing the gravity of the term. It stands in direct contrast to berakah (blessing), forming a central binary in biblical theology regarding obedience and reward. The frequent appearance in Jeremiah underscores its role in explaining national exile as the fulfillment of these declared curses.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qelalah describes more than a simple insult or angry outburst. It refers to a formal declaration of broken relationship and loss of blessing. In the ancient covenant context, it carried the weight of divine judgment, marking a state where one is separated from God's favor due to disobedience.
For your faith, this word highlights the seriousness of our choices. Scripture presents a clear path: obedience leads to life and blessing, while rejection of God’s ways leads to separation. Yet, even in these solemn warnings, there is hope. The narrative shows that God can turn curses into blessings, offering restoration to those who return to Him.
This understanding invites us to value our connection with God. It reminds us that our relationship with Him is the source of true life and security. We are called to choose the path that leads to flourishing, trusting in His grace to guide us away from destruction.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a curse8×
- and/ <into>/ a curse5×
- the/ curse3×
- and/ the/ curse3×
- the/ curses2×
- and/ into/ a curse2×
- into/ a curse1×
- curse/ your1×
- curse/ his1×
- and/ a curse1×
- and/ <the>/ curse1×
- [the] curse of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/לִ/קְלָלָ֖ה3×
- הַ/קְּלָלָ֖ה3×
- וְ/לִ/קְלָלָ֔ה2×
- וְ/הַ/קְּלָלָ֑ה2×
- קִלְלָתְ/ךָ֖1×
- קִלְלָת֖/וֹ1×
- קִלְלַ֥ת1×
- קִֽלֲלַ֖ת1×
- קִֽלְלַ֥ת1×
- קְלָלָ֣ה1×
- קְלָלָ֜ה1×
- קְלָלָ֗ה1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 11:26
Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse:
This verse establishes the foundational choice between blessing and curse, framing the entire covenant relationship as a matter of listening to God's voice.
-
Deuteronomy 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if you will not listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come on you and overtake you.
Here the word describes the inevitable consequences that overtake Israel if they fail to keep the commandments, showing it as a result of broken covenant loyalty.
-
Nehemiah 13:2
because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them; however, our God turned the curse into a blessing.
This occurrence highlights God's sovereignty by noting how He turned a intended curse into a blessing, demonstrating His power to redeem judgment.
-
Jeremiah 24:9
I will even give them up to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I will drive them.
The word describes the state of exile as a curse among nations, illustrating how disobedience leads to being a object of reproach and separation.