A versatile verb meaning to be light in weight, swift in movement, or trivial in value — and by extension to curse or treat someone as worthless. Contrasts with kabed (heavy/honor).
The honor/shame axis of Hebrew culture runs through qalal. To curse (qalal) is to declare someone light — without worth. God's prohibition of cursing parents (Exod 21:17) uses this word.
The curse/honor dynamic is central to covenant theology. To 'curse' Abraham's enemies (Gen 12:3) uses a different root (arar), but qalal captures the social dimension — treating as contemptible.