Lexical Summary qalon: Shame, disgrace, dishonor Original Word: קָלוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance confusion, dishonor, ignominy, reproach, shame From qalah; disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda -- confusion, dishonour, ignominy, reproach, shame. see HEBREW qalah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qalah Definition ignominy, dishonor NASB Translation disgrace (4), dishonor (7), shame (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs קָלוֺן noun masculineProverbs 11:2 ignominy, dishonour; — absolute ׳ק Hosea 4:7 +; construct קְלוֺן Isaiah 22:18; suffix קְלוֺנֵךְ Jeremiah 13:26 +; — 1 of national ignominy Hosea 4:7,18 (dubious Line, see Che Now), Jeremiah 46:12 (read probably קוֺלֵךְ, so ᵐ5 Gie Co Hpt), Habakkuk 2:16; Psalm 83:17; of nation under figure of woman, = pudenda, Jeremiah 13:26; Nahum 3:5 ("" מַעְרֵךְ). 2 personal dishonour, disgrace, of Shebna, as disgrace to his lord's house Isaiah 22:18(opposed to כְּבוֺדֶ֑ךָ); individual, Job 10:25; Proverbs 3:35 (opposed to כָּבוֺד), Proverbs 6:33; Proverbs 9:7; Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 13:18 (opposed to יְכֻבָּ֑ד), Proverbs 18:3; Proverbs 22:10. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Rangeקָלוֹן (qālôn) describes a state of public dishonor, reproach, or humiliation that comes when a person, household, or nation violates God-given standards of righteousness. More than an inward feeling, the word depicts visible disgrace before the watching community and, ultimately, before the Lord who accounts deeds. It stands in antithesis to “glory,” “honor,” and “wisdom,” underscoring the moral polarity that permeates biblical revelation. Shame as Retribution for Sin From early wisdom tradition to the final prophets, qālôn is never random; it is covenantal retribution. “When pride comes, disgrace follows” (Proverbs 11:2). Fools, adulterers, violent nations, and negligent leaders discover that sin’s wage is humiliation. In the covenant lawsuit against Judah, the Lord declares, “I will pull your skirts up over your face that your shame may be seen” (Jeremiah 13:26). Hosea intensifies the charge against apostate priests: “They exchanged their Glory for shame” (Hosea 4:7). In each case, divine justice reverses self-exaltation into public scorn. Wisdom Literature and Character Formation Proverbs employs qālôn to craft a theology of character: • Discipline neglected: “Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline” (Proverbs 13:18). The Book of Job adds the experiential voice: “I am full of shame and conscious of my affliction” (Job 10:15). Personal lament demonstrates that even the righteous may temporarily taste disgrace, yet faith anchors the sufferer to ultimate vindication. Prophetic Use in Covenant Lawsuits Isaiah portrays qālôn as the inevitable end of self-aggrandizing officials: “There your glorious chariots will be the shame of your master’s house” (Isaiah 22:18). Jeremiah extends the theme to Egypt: “The nations have heard of your shame” (Jeremiah 46:12). Nahum and Habakkuk apply the term to Nineveh and Babylon, empires intoxicated with power: “I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame” (Nahum 3:5); “You will be filled with shame instead of glory” (Habakkuk 2:16). The prophetic message is clear: Yahweh defrocks every rival glory. National and Corporate Dimensions Psalm 83 pleads, “Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD” (Psalm 83:16). Here qālôn serves a redemptive aim—driving hostile nations toward repentance. Likewise, Proverbs 22:10 links the expulsion of the mocker with communal peace, showing that removing shameful influence restores order among God’s people. Eschatological Reversal and Messianic Implications While the Old Testament records repeated cycles of shame, it also anticipates a final reversal. The Suffering Servant “despised the shame” (echoed in Hebrews 12:2) and, through the cross, transformed disgrace into glory. Believers therefore “look to Him and are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5). Qālôn underscores the gravity of sin but, in the account line of Scripture, magnifies the grace that bears and removes disgrace. Ministry and Pastoral Application 1. Confronting sin: Qālôn warns that hidden wrongdoing will become open reproach. Pastoral care must couple private admonition with the sober reminder of public consequences. In sum, קָלוֹן traces the moral order God has woven into creation: glory follows righteousness, but shame dogs rebellion. The term invites sober reflection, communal vigilance, and confident hope in the Redeemer who turns disgrace into everlasting honor. Forms and Transliterations בְּקָל֥וֹן בקלון וְ֭קָלוֹן וְקָל֥וֹן וְקָלֽוֹן׃ וקלון וקלון׃ קְל֖וֹן קְלוֹנֵ֔ךְ קְלוֹנֵֽךְ׃ קָ֝ל֗וֹן קָל֑וֹן קָל֖וֹן קָל֣וֹן קָל֥וֹן קָלֽוֹן׃ קָלוֹן֙ קלון קלון׃ קלונך קלונך׃ bə·qā·lō·wn bekaLon bəqālōwn kaLon keLon keloNech qā·lō·wn qālōwn qə·lō·w·nêḵ qə·lō·wn qəlōwn qəlōwnêḵ vekaLon wə·qā·lō·wn wəqālōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 10:15 HEB: רֹאשִׁ֑י שְׂבַ֥ע קָ֝ל֗וֹן וּרְאֵ֥ה עָנְיִֽי׃ NAS: [I am] sated with disgrace and conscious KJV: [I am] full of confusion; therefore see INT: my head have enough disgrace advise self of my misery Psalm 83:16 Proverbs 3:35 Proverbs 6:33 Proverbs 9:7 Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs 12:16 Proverbs 13:18 Proverbs 18:3 Proverbs 22:10 Isaiah 22:18 Jeremiah 13:26 Jeremiah 46:12 Hosea 4:7 Hosea 4:18 Nahum 3:5 Habakkuk 2:16 17 Occurrences |
    |