קָלַט
𐤒𐤋𐤈
qâlaṭ
H7038 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To mutilate, injure, or maim, particularly by causing loss of bodily integrity; primarily refers to inflicting physical harm resulting in being deficient in body parts. In rare biblical usage, denotes one who is physically impaired, specifically missing or having lost extremities due to violence or accident.
Semantic Range
to mutilate, to maim (by loss of body part), to be physically impaired through injury, to be lacking in extremities (e.g., hands or feet)
Root / Etymology
Root קלט (q-l-ṭ) is of unclear origin and is very rare in biblical usage. Likely a denominative or descriptive verb referring to disruption or severance, with the specific derivative meaning 'to maim' or 'to be maimed.' Etymology uncertain; may be related to other Semitic roots conveying the sense of cutting or lopping off, but direct cognates are not established.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term קָלַט (qâlaṭ) appears rarely and with limited contextual clarity in the Hebrew Bible. Its main occurrence describes individuals who are physically impaired, specifically missing extremities as a result of violence, injury, or mishap—rather than congenital deformity. Usage of the term is generally descriptive rather than pejorative or legal. The semantic field overlaps partly with other terms for disablement but is distinguished by its focus on mutilation or severance rather than general disability. English translations vary; some use 'maimed,' 'lame,' or similar, but these do not always capture the nuance of lost body parts. In later Hebrew and cognate languages, the root is not productive. There is no evidence for a religious or ritual purity dimension to the term in the biblical period. Differentiates from צָלַע (ṣālaʿ, 'to limp, be lame'), which refers to impaired walking rather than actual loss of limbs or body parts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to maim; lacking in his parts.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קלט (q-l-ṭ) — to maim, to mutilate, to cut off
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7038-01 |
וְ/קָל֑וּט | veqalut | HC/Vqsmsa |
or stunted | maimed one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7038-01 |
Leviticus 22:23 | וְ/קָל֑וּט | veqalut | HC/Vqsmsa |
or stunted | maimed one |