Original Word: χαλάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chalaó
Pronunciation: khä-lä'-ō
Phonetic Spelling: (khal-ah'-o)
Definition: to let down, lower, slacken
Meaning: I let down, lower, slacken, loosen.

to slacken, let down

From the base of chasma; to lower (as into a void) -- let down, strike.

see GREEK chasma

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
to slacken
NASB Translation
let down (6), let down let down (1), lowering* (1).

STRONGS NT 5465: χαλάω

χαλάω, χάλω; future χαλάσω; 1 aorist ἐχάλασα; 1 aorist passive, ἐχαλάσθην; from Aeschylus and Pindar down;

a. to loosen, slacken, relax.

b. to let down from a higher place to a lower: τί or τινα, Mark 2:4; Luke 5:4; Acts 27:17, 30 (in these last two passages in a nautical sense, to lower); τινα ἐν συριδιδ, Acts 9:25; passive, 2 Corinthians 11:33.

Word Origin: Derived from a primary root related to the concept of slackening or loosening.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for χαλάω, similar concepts of lowering or letting down can be found in Hebrew verbs such as יָרַד (yarad • Strong's 3381), which means "to go down" or "descend," and שָׁלַח (shalach • Strong's 7971), which can mean "to send" or "let go." These Hebrew terms capture the essence of movement from a higher to a lower position, akin to the Greek χαλάω.

Usage: The verb χαλάω is used in the New Testament to describe the action of lowering or letting down something, often with the implication of a controlled or deliberate action. It can refer to physical objects being lowered or metaphorically to the easing of restrictions or tensions.

Context: • Occurrences in the New Testament: The verb χαλάω appears in several key passages, illustrating its literal and metaphorical uses. Notably, it is used in the context of lowering a person or object from a height.
• Example Passages:
• Mark 2:4 (BSB): "Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered (χαλάω) the paralytic on his mat."
• In this passage, χαλάω describes the physical act of lowering the paralytic through the roof to reach Jesus, emphasizing the determination and faith of those involved.
• Acts 9:25 (BSB): "But his disciples took him by night and lowered (χαλάω) him in a basket through an opening in the wall."
• Here, χαλάω is used to describe the escape of Paul from Damascus, highlighting the urgency and secrecy of the action.
• Acts 27:17 (BSB): "After hoisting it up, they used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered (χαλάω) the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along."
• In this nautical context, χαλάω refers to the lowering of the sea anchor to stabilize the ship during a storm, demonstrating the sailors' efforts to manage the vessel's course.
• Theological Implications: The use of χαλάω in the New Testament often conveys themes of faith, deliverance, and divine intervention. The act of lowering, whether of a person or an object, frequently serves as a prelude to a significant encounter or event, underscoring the importance of humility and reliance on God's provision.

εχάλασαν εχαλάσατε εχαλασθην εχαλάσθην ἐχαλάσθην χαλασαντες χαλάσαντες χαλασαντων χαλασάντων χαλασατε χαλάσατε χαλάσει χαλασω χαλάσω χαλάται χαλβάνην χαλωσι χαλώσι χαλῶσι chalasantes chalásantes chalasanton chalasantōn chalasánton chalasántōn chalasate chalásate chalaso chalasō chaláso chalásō chalosi chalôsi chalōsi chalō̂si echalasthen echalasthēn echalásthen echalásthēnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts