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קָלַע

𐤒𐤋𐤏

qâlaʻ

H7049 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To sling, cast with a sling, or hurl an object via rotational force; to carve, cut, or shape an object, especially through circular or repetitive motion. The primary sense is the act of propelling something by means of a sling, with a secondary, related sense of shaping or carving by repetitive, circling action.

Semantic Range

to sling, to hurl with a sling, to cast (esp. stones), to carve, to decorate (by twisting or winding), to shape by repetitive or circular motion

Root / Etymology

Root קלע (q-l-ʻ). The root indicates the motion of twisting, curling, or winding, which underlies both the act of slinging (winding and releasing a stone from a sling) and carving (cutting or shaping, often in a curved or circular manner). The verbal form predominantly follows this semantic core of circular or spiraling motion.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, קָלַע (qâlaʻ) most commonly refers to the act of slinging stones or other projectiles, as practiced by warriors or shepherds using a sling. It appears with this meaning in narratives describing martial skill or combat (e.g., Judges 20:16, 1 Samuel 17:49). The verb is also used less frequently in the sense of carving or shaping materials, with an emphasis on the curved or twisting motion typical in decorative or utilitarian craft (e.g., Judges 16:25). In later periods of Hebrew or in related Semitic languages, the carving sense is marginal or absent, and 'to sling' remains the dominant meaning. English translations typically favor 'sling' or 'throw', which captures the main biblical usage, but may obscure the secondary meaning related to craftsmanship. Distinct from verbs like יָרָה ('to throw, shoot'), which do not convey the idea of circular motion. The term does not have specific religious or group associations, though its context in biblical passages often relates to warfare or skilled slingers among ancient Israelite tribes.

Translation Consistency

primary "sling" 3 occurrences

The primary and most natural sense of קָלַע in the lexical evidence is to propel by a sling (to sling/hurl). "Sling" is idiomatic and covers the typical usage (including stones); the rarer sense of carving/decorating is secondary and can be handled in context, but consistency favors the basic action verb "sling."

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"carved" (3x) "slung" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to sling; also to carve (as if a circular motion, or into light forms); carve, sling (out).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קלע (q-l-ʿ) — to twist, to wind, to hurl by circling motion, to carve by circular motion

Root קלע to twist, to wind, to hurl by circling motion, to carve by circular motion
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4734 מִקְלַעַת carved relief
H7050 קֶלַע in the sling
H7051 קַלָּע the slingers
H7084 קְעִילָה in Keilah

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7049-02 קֹלֵ֧עַ qolea HVqrmsa could sling one who slings one who slings 2
H7049-04 וְ/קָלַ֣ע veqala HC/Vqp3ms and he carved and he slung and he carved 2
H7049-03 וַ/יְקַלַּ֔ע vayeqala HC/Vpw3ms and slung he forcefully slung and slung 1
H7049-01 קָלַ֗ע qala HVqp3ms he carved he slung he carved 1
H7049-05 יְקַלְּעֶ֔/נָּה yeqaleenah HVpi3ms/Sp3fs he will sling it he will sling her he will sling it 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7049-02 Judges 20:16 קֹלֵ֧עַ qolea HVqrmsa could sling one who slings one who slings
H7049-03 1 Samuel 17:49 וַ/יְקַלַּ֔ע vayeqala HC/Vpw3ms and slung he forcefully slung and slung
H7049-05 1 Samuel 25:29 יְקַלְּעֶ֔/נָּה yeqaleenah HVpi3ms/Sp3fs he will sling it he will sling her he will sling it
H7049-01 1 Kings 6:29 קָלַ֗ע qala HVqp3ms he carved he slung he carved
H7049-04 1 Kings 6:32 וְ/קָלַ֣ע veqala HC/Vqp3ms and-he-carved and he slung and he carved
H7049-04 1 Kings 6:35 וְ/קָלַ֤ע veqala HC/Vqp3ms and he carved and he slung and he carved
H7049-02 Jeremiah 10:18 קוֹלֵ֛עַ qolea HVqrmsa slinging-out one who slings one who slings
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