קָלַע (qa.la)
qa.la
to sling; to carve
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qala primarily means to sling or hurl something, typically a stone, with great force and precision. It appears seven times in the Old Testament, most notably in narratives involving skilled combatants. In 1 Samuel 17:49, David uses this word to describe how he launched a single stone from his sling against Goliath, striking the Philistine giant in the forehead. The term captures both the physical action of throwing and the specialized skill of the slinger.
Interestingly, the same root also carries the meaning "to carve" or "engrave." This dual usage suggests a connection between the forceful impact of a sling and the deliberate shaping of material through striking or cutting. While the "slinging" sense is far more common in biblical texts, the "carving" definition appears in contexts like 1 Kings 7:46, where it describes casting molten metal into molds, implying a formative action. This linguistic overlap highlights how ancient Hebrew often linked distinct physical actions through shared conceptual roots.
Translators usually render qala as "sling" or "hurl" when referring to weapons, preserving the vivid imagery of projectile warfare. When it means "carve," the context makes the meaning clear, such as in descriptions of craftsmanship. The word’s presence in stories of David and in royal construction projects underscores its importance in both military and artisanal contexts within ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qala connects two very different human actions: the precise release of a stone from a sling and the careful carving of wood or metal. In 1 Samuel 17, David uses this verb to describe the moment he strikes Goliath. It is not just about force; it is about focused skill and divine alignment in a single motion.
When the Bible speaks of God using this word, it often carries a sense of decisive action. In Jeremiah, God says He will 'sling out' the inhabitants of the land, showing that His justice is as sharp and targeted as a warrior’s aim. Yet, in the temple’s construction, the same root describes artisans carving cherubim into walls, revealing that God also values deliberate, beautiful craftsmanship.
This duality reminds us that God works through both sudden intervention and patient creation. Whether He is acting with swift power or guiding hands to build something lasting, His purposes are intentional. We can trust that the same God who directs the stone to its mark also oversees the details of our lives, shaping them with care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he carved2×
- he will sling out/ it1×
- he carved1×
- and/ he slung [it]1×
- [was] slinging1×
- [am] about to hurl forth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קוֹלֵ֛עַ1×
- קֹלֵ֧עַ1×
- קָלַ֗ע1×
- יְקַלְּעֶ֔/נָּה1×
- וַ/יְקַלַּ֔ע1×
- וְ/קָלַ֤ע1×
- וְ/קָלַ֣ע1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 17:49
David put his hand in his bag, took a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.
This verse captures the word in its most famous military context, where David’s precise action fulfills God’s deliverance.
-
Judges 20:16
Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed. Every one of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
It highlights the extreme precision of Benjamite warriors, who could hit a tiny target without missing.
-
I Kings 6:35
He carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers; and he overlaid them with gold fitted on the engraved work.
Here the word shifts to craftsmanship, showing how the same root describes carving intricate designs into temple walls.
-
Jeremiah 10:18
For Yahweh says, “Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel it.”
God uses this verb metaphorically to describe His decisive judgment against the inhabitants of the land.