Lexical Summary taalulim: Deceptions, tricks, mockery Original Word: תַּעֲלוּל 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 Originfrom 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. 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). 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. 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. 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‘ălūlîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 2 Occurrences |
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