The Hebrew verb chalash means to weaken, to become faint, to prostrate or defeat an enemy. It is used in military contexts for routing an enemy and in personal contexts for physical or spiritual weakness.
Joshua's first military victory in the wilderness β the defeat of Amalek β uses chalash: 'And Joshua overwhelmed [chalash] Amalek and his people with the sword' (Exodus 17:13). Crucially, this victory depended entirely on Moses holding up the staff of God (Exodus 17:11β12). When Moses' arms fell, Israel faltered; when they were held up, Israel prevailed. The theology of chalash is therefore the theology of divine dependency in battle. Human warriors may fall exhausted, but those who 'wait on the LORD shall renew their strength' (Isaiah 40:31). The word also appears in Isaiah 14:12 β Babylon, who made nations weak (chalash), is herself brought low.