סָלָה
𐤎𐤋𐤄
çâlâh
H5541 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To weigh, especially to weigh out or examine in the sense of assessing value; by extension, to evaluate, scrutinize, or test. The root also develops a figurative sense of treating as insignificant, spurning, or holding in contempt—often by judging as unworthy or unsuitable following such evaluation.
Semantic Range
to weigh out, to assess value, to scrutinize, to examine, to put to the test; to reject as unworthy, to spurn, to hold in contempt, to tread down, to undervalue
Root / Etymology
Root סלה (ס־ל־ה), meaning 'to weigh' or 'to evaluate.' The verb derives from the practice of hanging objects or precious metals on a balance scale to determine their value or authenticity, a foundational activity in ancient trade and legal settings. From the root concept of weighing and testing comes the associated idea of judging worth, whether positive (to esteem by weighing) or negative (to despise or hold in contempt as found wanting).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In its earliest usage, especially in poetic or wisdom literature, סָלָה conveys the literal process of testing or valuing something by weighing. This is contextually apparent in passages concerned with material value, justice, or ritual worth. Over time, and particularly in metaphorical or prophetic contexts, the term extends to the moral or social evaluation of individuals or actions. In some instances, especially in late biblical texts, the term takes on a distinctly negative sense—'to treat with contempt' or 'to spurn as worthless', contrasting with verbs like כָּבֵד (to honor, respect) or שָׁפַט (to judge, decide with authority). Many standard English translations conflate the literal and figurative senses or render only the negative aspect ('to despise,' 'to reject'), which may obscure the root idea of evaluation or weighing. In the Hebrew Bible, the usage is relatively rare and often signals a legal, ethical, or honor/shame context, highlighting a social determination of value or lack thereof.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to hang up, i.e. weigh, or (figuratively) contemn; tread down (under foot), value.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סלה (s-l-h) — to weigh, to evaluate, to test
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5542 | סֶלָה | Lift-up pause |
| H5543 | סַלּוּ | to Sallai |
| H5544 | סִלּוֹן | projecting thorn-brier |
| H5552 | סַלְסִלָּה | plaited baskets |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5541-03 |
תְ֭סֻלֶּה | tesuleh | HVPi3fs |
it-is-valued | she will be weighed | 2 |
H5541-02 |
סִלָּ֨ה | silah | HVpp3ms |
has rejected | he thoroughly weighed | 1 |
H5541-01 |
סָ֭לִיתָ | salita | HVqp2ms |
you have rejected | you weighed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5541-01 |
Psalms 119:118 | סָ֭לִיתָ | salita | HVqp2ms |
you have rejected | you weighed |
H5541-03 |
Job 28:16 | תְ֭סֻלֶּה | tesuleh | HVPi3fs |
it-is-valued | she will be weighed |
H5541-03 |
Job 28:19 | תְסֻלֶּֽה | tesuleh | HVPi3fs |
will be valued | she will be weighed |
H5541-02 |
Lamentations 1:15 | סִלָּ֨ה | silah | HVpp3ms |
has rejected | he thoroughly weighed |