קָלָה qâlâh — to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be [causatively, hold] in contempt)
Translated in the KJV as 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).
qâlâh in each stem
Niph'al
Participle (active) 3Sequential perfect (weqatal) 2
Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.
And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Hiph'il
Participle (active) 1
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
What the stems mean
A Hebrew verb is its root letters set into a pattern. The pattern — the binyan — is the grammar's way of saying three things at once: whether the action is simple, intensive or causative, and whether its subject is active, passive or reflexive. That is why one Hebrew word can need six English ones. All seven binyanim, explained ›