קָלַס (qa.las)
qa.las
to mock
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qalas means to mock or scoff, appearing in only two verses within the Old Testament. Its presence is concentrated in the books of II Kings and Habakkuk, where it describes a sharp, contemptuous attitude toward divine authority or human suffering. The word carries a sense of derision that goes beyond simple teasing, pointing instead to a hostile ridicule.
Lexical sources distinguish between its active form, which involves scoffing at someone or something specific, and its reflexive form, where the subject mocks themselves or engages in mutual derision. This distinction highlights the relational damage inherent in the act; it is not an isolated insult but a dynamic of contempt that often turns inward or escalates between parties.
The theological weight of this rare word lies in its context. In Habakkuk, the mocking occurs amidst a crisis of faith, where the prophet witnesses violence and injustice. The use of qalas here underscores the depth of human rebellion and the absurdity of treating sacred matters with scorn. Translators typically render it as "mock" or "scoff," preserving the original tone of disrespect without softening its impact.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qalas describes more than simple teasing; it is a sharp, contemptuous ridicule that targets divine authority or human suffering. In the Old Testament, this rare verb appears only twice, highlighting its intensity. It points to a hostile attitude where individuals treat sacred matters with scorn, revealing the depth of human rebellion against God's order.
When we encounter such mockery in Scripture, it reminds us that faith often faces opposition from those who scoff at what they do not understand. The prophet Habakkuk witnessed this derision amidst injustice, showing that even when evil seems to triumph through contempt, God remains sovereign. This word invites us to examine our own hearts, ensuring we do not fall into similar patterns of dismissiveness toward others or toward God's work.
Ultimately, the presence of qalas in the Bible serves as a sobering warning against pride and disrespect. It encourages believers to stand firm in humility and trust, knowing that God sees the contempt directed at His people and His truth. We are called to respond not with reciprocal mockery, but with steadfast faith and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it derides1×
- and/ they derided1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִתְקַלָּ֔ס1×
- וַ/יִּתְקַלְּסוּ\־1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 2:23
He went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up by the way, some youths came out of the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldy! Go up, you baldy!”
This verse illustrates how qalas is used in a personal context where youths mock the prophet Elisha, showing that the word can target God's representatives directly.
-
Habakkuk 1:10
Yes, they scoff at kings, and princes are a derision to them. They laugh at every stronghold, for they build up an earthen ramp and take it.
Here, the term describes a broader societal scorn where enemies scoff at kings and laugh at fortifications, highlighting its use in political and military defiance against divine authority.