Lexical Summary chalchalah: Fear, trembling, anguish Original Word: חַלְחָלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance great, much pain Feminine from the same as Chalchuwl; writhing (in childbirth); by implication, terror -- (great, much) pain. see HEBREW Chalchuwl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chul Definition anguish NASB Translation anguish (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs חַלְחָלָה noun feminine anguish, ׳מָֽלְאוּ מָתְנַי ח Isaiah 21:3, בכל מתנים ׳ח Nahum 2:11; Ezekiel 30:4,9 ("" החריד). חַלְחָלָה noun feminine see I. חול. Topical Lexicon Occurrences חַלְחָלָה appears four times in the Hebrew Scriptures, each within a prophetic oracle of judgment or impending calamity—Isaiah 21:3; Ezekiel 30:4; Ezekiel 30:9; Nahum 2:10. In every setting the term depicts an intense, visceral experience of inner trembling or gut-wrenching anguish that overtakes both individuals and nations when confronted by the reality of divine judgment. Contextual Nuances 1. Isaiah 21:3—The prophet testifies, “Therefore my body is filled with anguish; pain grips me like the pains of a woman in labor”. Here חַלְחָלָה captures Isaiah’s own empathetic suffering as he foresees the fall of Babylon. The inward convulsion dramatizes how God’s messenger personally identifies with the coming distress of those under judgment. Prophetic Significance חַלְחָלָה functions as a literary bell that tolls whenever the prophets announce the downfall of imperial powers. It embodies the moral principle that human arrogance, idolatry, and oppression culminate in shattering dread when the Holy One acts in history. The term therefore frames judgment not merely as an external loss—cities overrun, thrones toppled—but as an internal undoing of the heart. Themes of Divine Judgment • Universality: Egypt, Cush, Babylon, and Assyria all experience the same inward trembling, demonstrating God’s impartial righteousness over every nation. Pastoral and Devotional Application Believers today may draw two lessons: 1. Reverent Fear: A healthy trembling before the holiness of God is appropriate (Philippians 2:12). Prophetic חַלְחָלָה warns against casual attitudes toward sin and judgment. Christological and Eschatological Foreshadowing The prophets’ portrayals anticipate a climactic day when “people will faint from fear and apprehension of what is coming on the world” (Luke 21:26). Yet the gospel reveals that on the cross Jesus Christ bore the ultimate cup of trembling (Matthew 26:38), so that all who trust in Him are delivered from eschatological dread and granted “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Homiletical Insights • Title idea: “When Knees Knock—The Gospel Answer to חַלְחָלָה.” Intertextual Connections The imagery of melting hearts and trembling bodies links חַלְחָלָה to Joshua 2:11; Psalm 69:20; Hebrews 12:26-29. Collectively these passages trace a line from Old Testament judgment to the unshakable kingdom promised in Christ. Summary חַלְחָלָה vividly pictures the internal collapse that accompanies divine visitation in judgment. Its four occurrences remind every generation that the God who topples proud empires also offers mercy through repentance and faith. Those who heed the warning find that trembling yields to unassailable joy in His steadfast love. Forms and Transliterations וְחַלְחָלָה֙ וחלחלה חַלְחָלָ֔ה חַלְחָלָ֤ה חַלְחָלָה֙ חלחלה chalchaLah ḥal·ḥā·lāh ḥalḥālāh vechalchaLah wə·ḥal·ḥā·lāh wəḥalḥālāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 21:3 HEB: מָלְא֤וּ מָתְנַי֙ חַלְחָלָ֔ה צִירִ֣ים אֲחָז֔וּנִי NAS: are full of anguish; Pains KJV: filled with pain: pangs INT: are full my loins of anguish Pains have seized Ezekiel 30:4 Ezekiel 30:9 Nahum 2:10 4 Occurrences |
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