Lexical Summary qalal: burnished, polished Original Word: קָלָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burnished, polished From qalal; brightened (as if sharpened) -- burnished, polished. see HEBREW qalal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qalal Definition burnished NASB Translation burnished (1), polished (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קָלָל adjective burnished (from light, quick movement of rubbing ?); — ׳נְחשֶׁת ק burnished brass Ezekiel 1:7: Daniel 10:6 (so most; Co, Ezekiel, קַלּוֺת, in prefixing כַּנְפֵיהֶם from Daniel 10:8; Daniel then follows corrupt Ezekiel. Topical Lexicon Occurrences Ezekiel 1:7 and Daniel 10:6 are the only Old Testament passages that employ קָלָל. In both verses the term modifies “bronze,” highlighting a brilliant, reflective surface that catches and magnifies light. Imagery of Burnished Bronze Bronze—an alloy prized in the ancient Near East for strength and durability—was routinely polished to a mirror-like sheen. By attaching קָלָל to bronze, Scripture calls attention to more than metallurgy; it summons the reader to contemplate radiance, purity, and unassailable strength. The gleam intensifies the sense that the beings described are not earthly. Ezekiel’s cherubim and Daniel’s majestic messenger bear a supernatural luster, underscoring their nearness to the glory of the Lord. Biblical-Theological Connections 1. Holiness and judgment. Shining bronze recurs when God reveals Himself in judgment or solemn warning. The bronze altar (Exodus 27:1-2) consumed sacrifices, and the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9) became a sign of both condemnation and deliverance. The burnished quality in Ezekiel and Daniel fits this pattern: God is coming to set things right, whether through exile’s refining fire (Ezekiel) or through the climactic conflicts Daniel foresees. Historical Background Ancient bronze work reached an artistic peak during the Neo-Babylonian and later Persian periods—precisely the eras of Ezekiel and Daniel. Temples and palaces displayed polished bronze fittings, and military equipment gleamed to intimidate foes. Readers living under imperial power would instinctively associate the brightest bronze with prestige and invincibility. Scripture co-opts that cultural association, declaring that ultimate splendor belongs to the heavenly court, not to earthly kings. Ministry and Devotional Implications • Awe before divine majesty. The polished brilliance invites worship marked by reverence. Familiarity with God should never dull the believer’s sense of His transcendent glory. Summary קָלָל portrays bronze so highly polished that it mirrors the splendor of heaven. Deployed only twice, the term concentrates its force on two pivotal visions, each unveiling God’s unapproachable light and unstoppable purpose. For the faithful, the word becomes a shining reminder that the Lord who once appeared in burnished brilliance will soon appear again, and His servants—refined like bronze—will share His eternal radiance. Forms and Transliterations קָלָ֑ל קָלָֽל׃ קלל קלל׃ kaLal qā·lāl qālālLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 1:7 HEB: כְּעֵ֖ין נְחֹ֥שֶׁת קָלָֽל׃ NAS: and they gleamed like burnished bronze. KJV: like the colour of burnished brass. INT: the colour bronze burnished Daniel 10:6 2 Occurrences |
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