שָׁלָה (sha.lah)
sha.lah
to neglect
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shalah carries a core meaning of remaining at ease or quiet, but in its most common biblical usage, it describes a dangerous lack of attention. In the Niphal stem, it means to be negligent or careless. This is not a minor oversight; it implies a state of spiritual or moral slumber where one fails to perceive what should be obvious.
Scripture uses this word sparingly, appearing in just two verses, both in historical books like 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. In these contexts, the negligence is often linked to ignoring divine warnings or failing to act when action was required. The Hiphil stem adds another layer, meaning to mislead, suggesting that neglecting duty can lead one astray or cause others to stumble.
Its Aramaic equivalent, sha.lah (H7955), is linked to the concept of "error," reinforcing the idea that this carelessness results in a wrong path. The word serves as a stark warning: being "at ease" is not always a sign of peace; it can be a prelude to failure when it masks a refusal to engage with responsibility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shalah reminds us that spiritual alertness is a daily practice. In 2 Chronicles 29:11, Hezekiah urges the priests not to be negligent because they have been chosen by God for sacred service. This call to vigilance applies to all believers who serve in any capacity. When we become complacent, we risk missing the specific ways God wants to work through us.
Negligence often looks like comfort rather than active rebellion. It is the quiet drifting away from our responsibilities rather than a loud rejection of faith. By staying attentive to God’s voice and His commands, we protect our hearts from this subtle danger. Let us commit to serving with care and purpose today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you must deceive1×
- you be negligent1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּשָּׁל֑וּ1×
- תַשְׁלֶ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 29:11
My sons, don’t be negligent now; for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to minister to him, and that you should be his ministers and burn incense.”
Hezekiah uses this term to warn the priests that their sacred role requires active vigilance rather than passive routine.
-
II Kings 4:28
Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”
The Shunammite woman’s plea not to be deceived highlights how negligence can lead to misunderstanding God's true intent.