8586. taalulim
Lexical Summary
taalulim: Deceptions, tricks, mockery

Original Word: תַּעֲלוּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ta`aluwl
Pronunciation: tah-ah-loo-LEEM
Phonetic Spelling: (tah-al-ool')
KJV: babe, delusion
NASB: capricious children, punishments
Word Origin: [from H5953 (עָלַל - To act severely)]

1. caprice (as a fit coming on), i.e. vexation
2. (concretely) a tyrant

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
babe, delusion

From alal; caprice (as a fit coming on), i.e. Vexation; concretely a tyrant -- babe, delusion.

see HEBREW alal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alal
Definition
wantonness, caprice
NASB Translation
capricious children (1), punishments (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
תַּעֲלוּלִים noun [masculine] plural abstract wantonness, caprice; — יִמְשְׁלוּ בָם ׳ת Isaiah 3:4 caprice shall rule over them; suffix תַּעֲלֻלֵיהֶם Isaiah 66:4 their wanton dealing, i.e. that inflicted on them.

II. עלל (√ of following; possibly = I. עלל (Köii. 1, 106) whence child as capricious, mischievous, but dubious; > following from עוּל; in either case original meaning quite forgotten; probably distinct √, meaning unknown).

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Nuances

תַּעֲלוּל conveys the idea of reckless or wanton behavior that springs from immaturity or defiance. Scripture uses the term to describe both the character of disorderly people (Isaiah 3:4) and the punitive measures God appoints for rebels (Isaiah 66:4). In each case the word signals a movement away from ordered righteousness into chaos—either self-induced or divinely imposed.

Canonical Context

1. Isaiah 3:4—“I will make mere youths their leaders, and children will rule over them”. Here תַּעֲלוּל paints a picture of capricious, childish governance. Judah’s rejection of the LORD would result in social upheaval in which inexperienced or self-willed rulers bring instability.
2. Isaiah 66:4—“So I also will choose their punishments and bring upon them what they dread, because I called and no one answered…”. The same word now describes the punitive acts God deliberately selects for obstinate idolaters. What the people once practiced—caprice and contempt—returns upon them in measured retribution.

Prophetic Portrait of Judgment in Isaiah

Isaiah’s ministry spanned several decades of political and spiritual decline in Judah. The prophet announces that divine judgment will mirror the people’s own lawlessness (Isaiah 5:18-19; 10:1-2). תַּעֲלוּל thus functions as a literary hinge: human arrogance produces societal chaos; God’s response is to hand the nation over to the very chaos it has courted. Isaiah 3 forecasts this through inept leadership, while Isaiah 66 unfolds the final reckoning when the LORD “will come with fire” (Isaiah 66:15).

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

1. Sow-and-Reap Principle—The word underscores the moral certainty that choices have consequences. Disregard for God breeds a harvest of disorder (Galatians 6:7-8).
2. Leadership Responsibility—Isaiah 3:4 warns that sin impoverishes leadership. A society that discards divine wisdom is left with impulsive voices guiding national destiny (Proverbs 29:2).
3. Divine Retribution—Isaiah 66:4 illustrates that judgment is never arbitrary; God’s “punishments” correspond to the offender’s own “choices” (Romans 2:5-6).

Ministry Application

• Preaching and Teaching—Use תַּעֲלוּל to stress the gravity of spiritual negligence. God’s people must guard against both immature conduct and willful deafness to His call.
• Pastoral Care—The term encourages shepherds to nurture maturity in believers (Ephesians 4:13-14), lest the church replicate the youthful caprice Isaiah condemned.
• Societal Engagement—Christians serve as “salt” and “light” by promoting righteous leadership and resisting cultural currents that celebrate impulsive self-rule (Matthew 5:13-16).

Christological Reflection

Where Judah’s leaders were marked by תַּעֲלוּל, Jesus Christ embodies perfect wisdom and steadfast obedience (Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 5:8-9). Believers find in Him the antidote to chaos: He “will reign on David’s throne…with justice and righteousness” (Isaiah 9:7). The Messiah bears the punishments sinners deserved (Isaiah 53:5), transforming divine retribution into redemptive grace for those who respond in faith.

Related Biblical Themes and Texts

• Divine abandonment to sinful choices—Psalm 81:12; Romans 1:24-28.
• Foolish or childish leadership—Ecclesiastes 10:16; 1 Kings 12:8-11.
• Chosen delusion as judgment—2 Thessalonians 2:11.

Summary

תַּעֲלוּל highlights the peril of self-willed immaturity before God and the certainty that He will match rebellion with fitting consequence. Its two Isaianic occurrences form a sobering commentary on fallen human governance and the righteous judgment of the covenant LORD, while also pointing forward to the perfect rule of His Anointed.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּתַעֲלֻלֵיהֶ֗ם בתעלליהם וְתַעֲלוּלִ֖ים ותעלולים bə·ṯa·‘ă·lu·lê·hem bəṯa‘ălulêhem betaaluleiHem vetaaluLim wə·ṯa·‘ă·lū·lîm wəṯa‘ălūlîm
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Isaiah 3:4
HEB: נְעָרִ֖ים שָׂרֵיהֶ֑ם וְתַעֲלוּלִ֖ים יִמְשְׁלוּ־ בָֽם׃
NAS: their princes, And capricious children will rule
KJV: [to be] their princes, and babes shall rule
INT: lads their princes and capricious will rule

Isaiah 66:4
HEB: אֲנִ֞י אֶבְחַ֣ר בְּתַעֲלֻלֵיהֶ֗ם וּמְגֽוּרֹתָם֙ אָבִ֣יא
NAS: I will choose their punishments And will bring
KJV: I also will choose their delusions, and will bring
INT: I will choose their punishments their fears and will bring

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8586
2 Occurrences


bə·ṯa·‘ă·lu·lê·hem — 1 Occ.
wə·ṯa·‘ă·lū·lîm — 1 Occ.

8585b
Top of Page
Top of Page