Original Word: קָלָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: qalah
Pronunciation: kah-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-law')
KJV: base, contemn, despise, lightly esteem, set light, seem vile
NASB: degraded, lightly esteemed, dishonors, inferior
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be (causatively, hold) in contempt)

base, contemn, despise, lightly esteem, set light, seem vile

A primitive root; to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be (causatively, hold) in contempt) -- base, contemn, despise, lightly esteem, set light, seem vile.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be lightly esteemed or dishonored
NASB Translation
degraded (2), dishonors (1), inferior (1), lightly esteemed (2).

II. [קָלָה] verb Niph`al belightly esteemed, dishonoured ("" form of קלל; compare Late Hebrew קָלוֺן, ᵑ7 קְלנָא disgrace, shame); — Perfect3masculine singular consecutive וְנִקְלָה Isaiah 16:14; Deuteronomy 25:3; Participle נִקְלֶה Isaiah 3:5 2t.; — be lightly esteemed, held of little account, Isaiah 16:14 (glory of Moab); אִישׁ רָשׁ וְנִקְלֶה 1 Samuel 18:23; so (Participle as substantive) Isaiah 3:5 (opposed to נִכְבָּד), Proverbs 12:9 (opposed to מִתְכַּבֵּד); more positively, be dishonoured, degraded, Deuteronomy 25:3 (עֵינֶיךָ).

Hiph`il treat with contempt, dishonour, Participle ׳מַקְלֶה אָבִיו וגו Deuteronomy 27:16 one dis-honouring [i.e. opposed to כַּבֵּד of 5th Command].

Overview of Meaning

קָלָה (qalah) describes the state or action of being treated as “light,” worthless, or contemptible. Its occurrences trace the spectrum from legalized corporal punishment to social upheaval and prophetic judgment, revealing how Scripture contrasts “light esteem” with the God-given weight of human dignity and covenant honor.

Old Testament Distribution

The verb occurs six times, each in a different literary setting: covenant statutes (Deuteronomy), royal narrative (1 Samuel), wisdom literature (Proverbs), and prophetic oracles (Isaiah). Together they portray the moral gravity of esteeming persons, positions, and nations either lightly or honorably.

Deuteronomy 25:3 – Protecting Human Dignity in Judgment

“He may have him flogged forty times, but no more; otherwise, he would be degraded in your eyes.”

Even when guilt is established, the convicted brother must not be reduced to contempt. The law limits the lashes so that retribution never becomes dehumanizing, underscoring that every image-bearer retains worth even under discipline.

Deuteronomy 27:16 – The Gravity of Parental Honor

“Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.”

To make parents “light” invites covenant curse. By placing the offense alongside idolatry and perversion, Moses highlights filial honor as foundational to a stable, God-fearing society (cf. Exodus 20:12).

1 Samuel 18:23 – Humility before Royal Elevation

David answers Saul’s servants, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”

David does not resent low esteem; he recognizes his natural unworthiness and waits for God to confer true honor. The narrative anticipates God’s pattern of exalting the humble (Luke 14:11).

Proverbs 12:9 – Quiet Contentment over Empty Prestige

“Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant than to be self-glorifying and lack bread.”

Wisdom redefines success: modest means with provision surpass hollow showmanship. The proverb encourages believers to prize substance over image, aligning with Jesus’ warning against seeking human applause (Matthew 6:1-4).

Isaiah 3:5 – Social Upheaval and Contempt

“The people will oppress one another… the base against the honorable.”

As divine judgment falls on Judah, social order inverts; the dishonorable treat the noble as “light.” The verse illustrates how sin erodes respect structures, leading to anarchy and mutual oppression.

Isaiah 16:14 – National Humiliation

“Within three years… the splendor of Moab will be disgraced… the remnant will be very small and feeble.”

Moab’s famed glory becomes “feeble” (qalah). The prophecy shows that nations exalting themselves can swiftly be rendered insignificant when God acts (James 4:6).

Theological Themes

1. The Weight of Honor: Scripture assigns “glory” (kavod, weight) to parents, elders, and covenant community; qalah warns against making what God calls weighty into something light.
2. Retributive Reversal: Those who lightly esteem others risk being lightly esteemed by God (1 Samuel 2:30).
3. Humility and Exaltation: David’s confession and Proverbs’ counsel link lowly self-assessment with eventual honor, foreshadowing Christ, “despised and rejected” (Isaiah 53:3) yet finally exalted (Philippians 2:9-11).
4. Eschatological Justice: Nations and individuals who belittle divine standards encounter judgment that renders their pride inconsequential.

Implications for Ministry and Discipleship

• Uphold human dignity in correction and discipline, reflecting Deuteronomy’s limit on degrading punishment.
• Teach the fifth commandment as a perpetual moral duty, resisting cultural trends that trivialize parental authority.
• Model and encourage humility, assuring believers that God notices the “lightly esteemed” and will honor them in His time.
• Foster congregational cultures of honor where elders, parents, and one another are accorded proper respect, countering the spirit of Isaiah 3.
• Warn against national or personal arrogance; preach repentance that avoids Moab’s downfall.

Summary

קָלָה exposes the peril of treating persons or obligations as trivial. Across legal, historical, proverbial, and prophetic settings, Scripture calls God’s people to resist contempt, preserve dignity, practice humility, and await God’s righteous reversal that grants true honor to those the world deems “light.”

וְהַנִּקְלֶ֖ה וְנִקְלֶֽה׃ וְנִקְלָ֥ה וְנִקְלָה֙ והנקלה ונקלה ונקלה׃ מַקְלֶ֥ה מקלה נִ֭קְלֶה נקלה makLeh maq·leh maqleh Nikleh niq·leh niqleh vehannikLeh venikLah venikLeh wə·han·niq·leh wə·niq·lāh wə·niq·leh wəhanniqleh wəniqlāh wəniqlehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts