Original Word: אֲמֵלָל
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: amelal
Pronunciation: ah-meh-LAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (am-ay-lawl')
KJV: feeble
NASB: feeble
Word Origin: [from H535 (אָמַל - fails)]

1. languid

feeble

From 'amal; languid -- feeble.

see HEBREW 'amal

Word Origin
from amal
Definition
feeble
NASB Translation
feeble (1).

אֻמְלַל adjective id. (Ew^ib. Sta^{§ 230}); אָ֫נִי ׳א Psalm 6:3 ("" נִבְהֲלוּ עֲצָמָ֑י).

I. אמם (perhaps be wide, roomy, Assyrian [am¹mu whence ummu, womb, mother = אֵם compare Dl^{Pr 109}; but אֵם n.prim. according to Thes Sta^{§ 189 b} Lag^{BN 22}).

Word Overview

Though occurring only once in the Old Testament, the term אֲמֵלָל (Strong’s Hebrew 537) powerfully conveys weakness or withered frailty. Its single use in Nehemiah 4:2 presents a vivid contrast between human impotence and divine enablement.

Biblical Context in Nehemiah 4:2

Sanballat’s taunt—“What are these feeble Jews doing?” (Nehemiah 4:2)—targets the returning exiles as they rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. The adversary tries to undermine morale by labeling them “feeble,” insinuating that their resources, resolve, and even their covenant status are withered. The mockery heightens the narrative tension: physically the people appear vulnerable, yet spiritually they stand under the Lord’s unfailing promises (Nehemiah 2:20).

Historical Setting

The scene unfolds around 445 BC. Judah is a small, Persian-ruled province, still recovering from decades of exile. The opposition comes from regional officials who fear a restored Jerusalem will threaten their political influence. In this climate, the charge of being “feeble” is not merely an insult; it reflects the geopolitical reality of Judah’s precarious position.

Theological Implications

1. Human Weakness vs. Divine Strength
• The word underscores that God purposely advances His purposes through apparent weakness (compare Judges 7:2; 1 Corinthians 1:27).
2. Covenant Identity under Assault
• Calling the covenant community “feeble” questions God’s fidelity; Nehemiah’s prayerful response (Nehemiah 4:4-5) immediately reasserts reliance on the Lord.
3. Perseverance in Opposition
• The episode anticipates New Testament exhortations to endure ridicule (Hebrews 10:32-36; 1 Peter 4:14).

Intertextual Echoes

While אֲמֵלָל appears only here, its theme resonates with:
• Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the faint; and to him who has no might He increases strength.”
• Psalm 102:4 – “My heart is afflicted and withered like grass…” (same imagery of withering).

These passages reveal a consistent biblical pattern: God revitalizes what is withered.

Ministry Applications

1. Encouraging Believers in Marginalized Contexts
• Congregations facing cultural or political hostility may feel “feeble”; Nehemiah 4 reminds them that ridicule cannot negate God’s calling.
2. Leadership under Pressure
• Nehemiah models praying first, then organizing practical defense (Nehemiah 4:9, 13-18). Leaders today balance spiritual dependence with strategic action.
3. Spiritual Warfare Awareness
• The enemy often begins with words (mockery, discouragement) before physical attack. Recognizing and countering verbal demoralization is part of faithful ministry.

Christological Reflections

Just as Judah appeared powerless before hostile powers, so Jesus “was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God” (2 Corinthians 13:4). The taunt in Nehemiah foreshadows the mockery at Calvary (Matthew 27:41-43), where apparent weakness becomes the arena for redemptive victory.

Related Themes and Cross References

• Mockery of God’s People – 2 Kings 19:22; Psalm 79:4
• God’s Strength Perfected in Weakness – 2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 41:14-16
• Rebuilding and Restoration – Ezra 3:10-13; Amos 9:11
• Vigilance in Building – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Ephesians 6:10-18

Summary

אֲמֵלָל exposes the disparity between how the world measures power and how God manifests it. In Nehemiah, the exiles’ “feebleness” becomes the backdrop for divine triumph, encouraging every generation of believers to depend on the Lord who turns withered weakness into enduring strength.

הָאֲמֵלָלִ֖ים האמללים hā’ămêlālîm hā·’ă·mê·lā·lîm haamelaLimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts