Lexical Summary chala: To be weak, sick, afflicted, grieved Original Word: חָלָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be diseased A primitive root (compare chalah); to be sick -- be diseased. see HEBREW chalah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be sick or diseased NASB Translation became diseased (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [חָלָא] verb be sick, diseased (= חלה, see Ges§ 75, 22) — Qal Imperfect וַיֶּחֱלֶא אָסָאבְּ֗֗֗רַגְלָיו2Chronicles 16:12 (= חלה 1 Kings 15:23). Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Context of Usage חָלָא appears once in the Old Testament, denoting a bodily malady of notable severity. Though the term can cover sickness in general, its lone occurrence stresses a progressive, debilitating condition rather than a momentary ailment. Canonical Occurrence: 2 Chronicles 16:12 “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians.” (Berean Standard Bible) Historical Setting King Asa of Judah, once exemplary in faith (2 Chronicles 14–15), compromises by turning to Syria for military help (2 Chronicles 16:1–6). The prophet Hanani rebukes him, exposing a shift from reliance on the LORD to human strategy (2 Chronicles 16:7–10). Three years later the king is stricken with the grievous foot disease expressed by חָלָא. The Chronicler presents the sickness as God-allowed discipline that tests Asa’s heart after earlier warnings. Theological Themes 1. Divine Disciplinary Sickness Scripture links some illnesses to covenant correction (Deuteronomy 28:58–61; Psalm 32:3–4). Asa’s disease exemplifies how physical affliction can serve as a call to renewed dependence on God. Asa’s recourse “only [to] the physicians” contrasts sharply with earlier reforms in which he “relied on the LORD” (2 Chronicles 14:11). The narrative does not condemn medical care but highlights misplaced ultimate trust. 2 Chronicles repeatedly stresses “seeking the LORD” (e.g., 2 Chronicles 15:2, 15). Asa’s refusal to do so in sickness illustrates spiritual stubbornness that eclipses earlier zeal. Spiritual Lessons • Suffering exposes the true object of confidence. Intertextual Echoes The Chronicler’s portrait of Asa anticipates prophetic calls for holistic healing that includes turning to God (Isaiah 1:5–6; Hosea 6:1). In the New Testament, Christ’s ministry fulfills the ideal of the divine Physician (Matthew 9:12–13), offering ultimate restoration for both body and soul where Old Testament kings faltered. Ministry Applications • Pastoral care should address both physical and spiritual dimensions of illness, encouraging medical treatment anchored in prayerful reliance on the Lord. Related Hebrew Concepts חָלָה (ḥālāh, “to be weak, sick”), נֶגַע (negaʿ, “plague, affliction”), מַכְאֹב (makʾōb, “pain”) converge on the biblical theme of bodily suffering under the sovereignty of a covenant-keeping God who heals (Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:3). Summary חָלָא, though occurring only once, captures a pivotal moment in Judah’s history where physical illness exposes spiritual disease. It stands as a sober reminder that faith’s endurance—not merely its commencement—brings honor to God, who alone holds ultimate authority over health and life. Forms and Transliterations וַיֶּחֱלֶ֣א ויחלא vaiyecheLe way·ye·ḥĕ·le wayyeḥĕleLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 16:12 HEB: וַיֶּחֱלֶ֣א אָסָ֡א בִּשְׁנַת֩ NAS: Asa became diseased in his feet. KJV: of his reign was diseased in his feet, INT: became Asa year 1 Occurrence |
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