Lexical Summary qalas: To mock, to scoff, to deride Original Word: קָלַס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mock, scoff, scorn A primitive root; to disparage, i.e. Ridicule -- mock, scoff, scorn. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to mock, scoff NASB Translation disdaining (1), mock (2), mocked (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [קָלַס] verb mock, scoff (Ecclus 11:4 תקלס, text by AdlerJQ xii (1900), 470); — Pi`el Infinitive construct לְקַלֵּס אָתְנָן Ezekiel 16:31 to scoff at hire (of Jerusalem under figure of harlot), but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Symm collect, read לִקְבֹּץ Gr Toy Krae (or לְלַקֵּט, Co). Hithpa`el mock, deride, with ב person, Imperfect3masculine singular יִתְקַלָּ֑ס Habakkuk 1:10; 3masculine plural יִתְקַלְּסוּ Ezekiel 22:5, ׳וַיִּת 2 Kings 2:23. Topical Lexicon Overview קָלַס conveys the idea of mocking, scoffing, or holding someone or something in contempt. In every occurrence Scripture presents the act as culpable irreverence—whether directed toward the Lord’s prophet, His covenant people, surrounding nations, or established authorities. The verb always carries moral weight: to engage in קָלַס is to position oneself against divine order and to invite judgment. Occurrences in Scripture 1. 2 Kings 2:23 – Faithless youths mock the prophet Elisha. Narrative and Prophetic Settings • 2 Kings 2:23 – Mockery against God’s prophet “Some boys came out of the city and mocked him, saying, ‘Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!’”. The incident follows Elisha’s succession to Elijah, underscoring that contempt for a servant of the Lord is contempt for the Lord Himself. The immediate judgment that follows (verses 24–25) warns every generation that irreverence toward divine representatives is not trivial. • Ezekiel 16:31 – Self-inflicted scorn “When you built your mound at every street corner and made your lofty place in every square, you were unlike a prostitute because you scorned payment.”. Here קָלַס depicts Israel’s self-despising pursuit of idolatry. The nation degraded itself so thoroughly that it valued neither covenant loyalty nor even the “wages” of its spiritual prostitution. The verb therefore illuminates the self-destructive nature of sin: contempt for God becomes contempt for oneself. • Ezekiel 22:5 – Nations ridicule a defiled city “Those near and far will mock you, O infamous city, full of turmoil.”. Jerusalem’s sin has turned her into a spectacle. קָלַס shows that God’s people, when disobedient, become an object lesson to the world; the covenant community either displays God’s glory or invites derision that vindicates His righteousness. • Habakkuk 1:10 – Imperial arrogance “They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to capture it.”. The Chaldeans’ derision of earthly power reveals human pride at its zenith. Yet Habakkuk 2 promises their downfall, proving that contempt for authority ultimately leads to being brought low before the Highest Authority. Theological Significance 1. Dishonor toward divine authority: From Elisha to Jerusalem’s leadership, קָלַס underscores that mocking what God establishes is tantamount to mocking God Himself (cf. Galatians 6:7). Historical Background • Ninth-century Bethel (2 Kings) had become a center of calf worship; the youths’ ridicule likely echoed the apostate culture surrounding them. Ministry Application • Cultivating reverence: Families and churches must train the next generation to honor God’s Word and God’s servants, countering the spirit of mockery prevalent in every age (2 Peter 3:3). Related Themes and Texts • Mockery of Christ (Matthew 27:29–31) – the culmination of human contempt met with redemptive grace. Conclusion קָלַס serves as a concise biblical portrait of irreverent contempt. Whether voiced by irreligious youths, covenant-breaking Jerusalem, surrounding nations, or conquering armies, mockery stands condemned by the holy God who upholds His prophets, His people, and His moral order. Believers are called to replace scorn with reverence, humility, and faith, displaying the honor due to the Lord in every sphere of life. Forms and Transliterations וַיִּתְקַלְּסוּ־ ויתקלסו־ יִתְקַלְּסוּ־ יִתְקַלָּ֔ס יתקלס יתקלסו־ לְקַלֵּ֥ס לקלס lə·qal·lês lekalLes ləqallês vaiyitkallesu way·yiṯ·qal·lə·sū- wayyiṯqalləsū- yiṯ·qal·lās yiṯ·qal·lə·sū- yitkalLas yitkallesu yiṯqallās yiṯqalləsū-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 2:23 HEB: מִן־ הָעִ֔יר וַיִּתְקַלְּסוּ־ בוֹ֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ NAS: out from the city and mocked him and said KJV: out of the city, and mocked him, and said INT: from the city and mocked and said Go Ezekiel 16:31 Ezekiel 22:5 Habakkuk 1:10 4 Occurrences |
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