קְלֹקֵל (qe.lo.qel)
qe.lo.qel
worthless
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective qe.lo.qel describes something as contemptible or worthless. It carries a strong sense of disdain, suggesting that the subject is not merely low in value but actively despised. This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Numbers 21:5.
In this single occurrence, the Israelites use it to describe their food during their wilderness journey. Their complaint frames manna as worthless and contemptible, revealing a heart of ingratitude rather than an objective assessment of the provision. The term highlights how dissatisfaction can distort perception, turning divine sustenance into something viewed with scorn.
Because it is so rare, the word does not develop a broad semantic range across Scripture. Its power lies in this specific historical moment, capturing the sharp bitterness of the people’s rebellion. Translators often render it as "worthless" or "contemptible," preserving the intensity of their rejection.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels like a long, dry trek, it is easy to look at what we have and find it lacking. The word qe.lo.qel describes something as utterly worthless or contemptible. In Numbers 21:5, the Israelites used this strong term to describe the manna God provided. They called it disgusting food, forgetting that it was their only sustenance in the wilderness.
This word reminds us how quickly gratitude can turn into bitterness. When we focus on what is missing rather than what is present, even good gifts can seem worthless. It is a warning against letting dissatisfaction distort our view of God’s care. Instead of seeing provision as a burden, we are invited to see it as a gift.
May you find peace in recognizing that your current struggles do not diminish the value of what has been given to you. Trust that God sees your needs and provides what is truly necessary for your journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ worthless1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/קְּלֹקֵֽל\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 21:5
The people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, there is no water, and our soul loathes this disgusting food!”
This verse captures the Israelites' sharp rejection of manna, using the word to express deep disgust rather than simple hunger.