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קָלוֹן

𐤒𐤋𐤅𐤍

qâlôwn

H7036 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קלה to be light, to treat lightly, to despise

Definition

Disgrace or shame, particularly as a social or public state; loss of honor or status due to unacceptable behavior or circumstances. The term can refer both to the abstract state of disgrace and, more rarely, to the cause or result of that disgrace. In some contexts, especially in poetic or metaphorical language, it may refer euphemistically to the genitals as a site or symbol of shame.

Semantic Range

shame, disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, reproach, cause or object of shame, public embarrassment, euphemistically the genitals as a site of shame

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root קלה (q-l-h), which carries the idea of being light, despicable, or contemptible. קָלוֹן is a noun formation from this root, capturing the resultant state ('disgrace' or 'shame') rather than the action. Thus, it shifts from the root meaning of 'being treated lightly' or 'with contempt' to the state or experience of public dishonor.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קָלוֹן appears in contexts emphasizing the communal or public aspects of disgrace or shame—often the consequence of social transgressions, defeat in battle, or exposure of nakedness. In ancient Israelite society, honor and communal standing were central values; thus, קָלוֹן presupposes a shared understanding of what constitutes disgrace. The rare euphemistic use referring to 'pudenda' leverages the association between uncovered nakedness and public shame. English translations like 'shame,' 'disgrace,' or occasionally 'reproach' approximate the core meaning, but can obscure the social dimension and range of contexts (personal, communal, sexual, ritual) where the word appears. In prophetic and poetic texts, the word may have heightened metaphorical resonance, symbolizing the shaming of nations or individuals. The term contrasts with בּוּשׁ (bosh, to be ashamed), which focuses on the internal experience, while קָלוֹן primarily denotes the outward state or reputation. Usage remains relatively consistent from early to later biblical texts, with no documented significant semantic shift.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָלָה; disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda; confusion, dishonour, ignominy, reproach, shame.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קלה (q-l-h) — to be light, to treat lightly, to despise

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7022 קִיקָלוֹן intense disgrace
H7033 קָלָה one being roasted
H7034 קָלָה one who makes light of
H7039 קָלִי the roasted grain
H7041 קֵלָיָה and Yah has dishonored

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7036-02 קָל֖וֹן qalon HNcmsa dishonor disgrace 9
H7036-04 קְלוֹנֵֽ/ךְ qelonekhe HNcmsc/Sp2fs your shame your disgrace 3
H7036-05 וְ/קָל֥וֹן veqalon HC/Ncmsa and dishonor and disgrace 3
H7036-03 קְל֖וֹן qelon HNcmsc shame disgrace of 1
H7036-01 בְּ/קָל֥וֹן beqalon HR/Ncmsa for-shame in disgrace 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7036-03 Isaiah 22:18 קְל֖וֹן qelon HNcmsc shame disgrace of
H7036-04 Jeremiah 13:26 קְלוֹנֵֽ/ךְ qelonekhe HNcmsc/Sp2fs your-shame your disgrace
H7036-04 Jeremiah 46:12 קְלוֹנֵ֔/ךְ qelonekhe HNcmsc/Sp2fs your shame your disgrace
H7036-01 Hosea 4:7 בְּ/קָל֥וֹן beqalon HR/Ncmsa for-shame in disgrace
H7036-02 Hosea 4:18 קָל֖וֹן qalon HNcmsa shame disgrace
H7036-04 Nahum 3:5 קְלוֹנֵֽ/ךְ qelonekhe HNcmsc/Sp2fs your shame your disgrace
H7036-02 Habakkuk 2:16 קָלוֹן֙ qalon HNcmsa with disgrace disgrace
H7036-02 Psalms 83:17 קָל֑וֹן qalon HNcmsa with shame disgrace
H7036-02 Proverbs 3:35 קָלֽוֹן qalon HNcmsa dishonor disgrace
H7036-05 Proverbs 6:33 וְ/קָל֥וֹן veqalon HC/Ncmsa and-dishonor and disgrace
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