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H2308 · Hebrew · Old Testament
חָדַל
Chadal
Verb
To cease / to stop / to desist

Definition

The Hebrew chadal means to stop, to cease, to desist, or to refrain from action. It can describe a person stopping an activity, God restraining His hand, or something coming to an end.

Usage & Theological Significance

Chadal appears powerfully in Exodus 14:12 when the Israelites beg Moses to let them alone in Egypt, and in Isaiah 1:16 where God commands, 'stop doing wrong.' The verb also describes the ceasing of Israel's manna (Joshua 5:12) and the silence that fell at the Red Sea crossing. Theologically, chadal presents the sovereign freedom of God to start or stop what He wills, and calls human beings to the discipline of knowing when to stop — when to cease striving (Psalm 46:10 uses raphah but the concept overlaps) and trust God.

Key Bible Verses

Exodus 14:12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!
Isaiah 1:16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.
Joshua 5:12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites.
Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest.
Genesis 11:8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

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