Churl
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Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "churl" is used to describe a person who is miserly, rude, or surly. The word is often associated with negative character traits such as greed, selfishness, and a lack of generosity or hospitality. The concept of a churl is primarily found in the Old Testament, where it is used to depict individuals who act in a manner contrary to the virtues of kindness and benevolence that are encouraged throughout Scripture.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 32:5-7 : "No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected. For a fool speaks folly; his mind is busy with iniquity. He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; he deprives the hungry of food and withholds drink from the thirsty. The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just."

In this passage, the term "scoundrel" is often translated as "churl" in older versions of the Bible. The churl is depicted as someone who is deceitful and unjust, particularly towards the poor and needy. This aligns with the broader biblical condemnation of those who exploit or neglect the vulnerable.

2. 1 Samuel 25:3 : "The man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was harsh and evil in his dealings—he was a Calebite."

Nabal is a quintessential example of a churl in the Bible. His name itself means "fool," and his behavior towards David and his men exemplifies the characteristics of a churl. Nabal's refusal to provide hospitality and his harsh demeanor ultimately lead to his downfall, highlighting the biblical principle that such behavior is not only morally wrong but also self-destructive.

Character Traits of a Churl:

· Miserliness: A churl is often characterized by a reluctance to share resources or provide for others, even when they have the means to do so. This is in direct opposition to the biblical call for generosity and care for one's neighbor (Proverbs 11:24-25).

· Rudeness and Harshness: The churl is frequently described as harsh in their dealings with others, lacking the kindness and compassion that are hallmarks of a godly character (Ephesians 4:32).

· Deceitfulness: As seen in Isaiah 32, the churl is associated with deceit and the spreading of falsehoods, particularly to harm those who are less fortunate.

Theological Implications:

The depiction of the churl in Scripture serves as a warning against the dangers of selfishness and a lack of compassion. The Bible consistently calls believers to emulate the character of God, who is generous, loving, and just. The churl, by contrast, embodies the antithesis of these divine attributes. The negative portrayal of the churl underscores the importance of cultivating virtues such as generosity, kindness, and integrity, which are pleasing to God and beneficial to the community.

In summary, the biblical concept of a churl is a cautionary illustration of the consequences of living a life marked by greed, harshness, and deceit. Through the examples and teachings found in Scripture, believers are encouraged to reject such behaviors and instead pursue a life that reflects the love and righteousness of God.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
In Isaiah 32:5 (R.V. marg., "crafty"), means a deceiver. In 1 Samuel 25:3, the word churlish denotes a man that is coarse and ill-natured, or, as the word literally means, "hard." The same Greek word as used by the LXX. here is found in Matthew 25:24, and there is rendered "hard."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A rustic; a countryman or laborer.

2. (n.) A rough, surly, ill-bred man; a boor.

3. (n.) A selfish miser; an illiberal person; a miser.

4. (a.) Churlish; rough; selfish.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHURL

churl (kilay or kelay): The Hebrew word occurs only in Isaiah 32:5, 7, in the latter verse in a form slightly modified so as to produce a pleasing assonance with the word immediately following. The word probably means "crafty" or "miserly," both ideas being suitable to the context, though "miserly" accords with the setting in Isaiah somewhat better.

In 1 Samuel 25:3 the Hebrew qasheh which means "hard," "severe," "rough," is rendered "churlish." In Saxon, churl, as the name for the lowest order of freemen, came to be used of persons boorish in manner. The rough and ill-mannered Nabal is aptly described as churlish.

John Richard Sampey

Strong's Hebrew
3596. kilay -- a rascal
... churl. Or kelay {kay-lah'-ee}; from kuwl in the sense of withholding; stingy --
churl. see HEBREW kuwl. 3595, 3596. kilay or kelay. 3597 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3596.htm - 6k
Library

Daily Blessings for God's People
... He doth not say, as the churl doth, "Be thou warmed, and be thou filled," and do
no more, but, wishing us well, he doth well unto us; he warms cur hearts with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/daily blessings for gods people.htm

The Starting Point.
... In nothing that he ever wrote does John Bunyan's masterful genius flash forth more
clearly than when, in "The Holy War," he places that old churl, Mr. Prejudice ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter i the starting point.htm

The Teaching of Contemplative Life in Praying, Meditating, Fasting ...
... The person of man shall he not accept; and therefore of some shall he be called
a fool or churl because he praises God in joyful song. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter ii the teaching of.htm

Grace Abounding
... That sunbeam falls upon the farm of the miser, and upon the field of the churl,
and bids the grain of the wicked expand in its genial warmth and produce its ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/grace abounding.htm

First Impressions
... Not one compliment to them!' said a presbyter. What a churl he must be! Look how
Archbishop Gregory of Nazianzus publicly praised Maximus the Cynic.'. ...
/.../chapter xx first impressions.htm

Epiphanius Intervenes
... None,' said Epiphanius. He may be a saint,' said Philip, indignantly, to Eutyches,
who awaited him outside, but he is certainly a churl.'. ...
/.../chapter xliv epiphanius intervenes.htm

The Fan-Bearer's Quest
... Har-hat laughed again. "Aye, and after he pitched Nak over the cliff, there was
but one. But tell me this: was he noble or a churl?". "He wore the circlet.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxii the fan-bearers quest.htm

Starting a Newspaper. An Experience of Mr. John Jones.
... It will, no doubt, receive a good share of patronage.". I threw aside the paper
with an angry exclamation, and forthwith set the editor down as a jealous churl. ...
/.../arthur/words for the wise/starting a newspaper an experience.htm

The Son of the Murket
... his daughter.". "What matters it to me, his temper or her hurt?" Siptah
snarled. "Churl!" responded Menes, amiably. "What is amiss ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvii the son of.htm

Miscellaneous.
... Thus say the common people, that know him, "A saint abroad and a devil at home."
His poor family find it so: he is such a churl, such a railer at, and so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxix miscellaneous.htm

Thesaurus
Churl (6 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Churlish; rough; selfish. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHURL. ... John
Richard Sampey. Multi-Version Concordance Churl (6 Occurrences). ...
/c/churl.htm - 9k

Churlish (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Like a churl; rude; cross-grained; ungracious;
surly; illiberal; stingy. 2. (a.) Wanting pliancy ...
/c/churlish.htm - 7k

Churches (39 Occurrences)

/c/churches.htm - 20k

Deviseth (12 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 32:7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices
to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. ...
/d/deviseth.htm - 9k

Meek (23 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 32:7 And the instruments of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices
to destroy the meek with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. ...
/m/meek.htm - 13k

Bountiful (6 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). Isaiah 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called
liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/b/bountiful.htm - 8k

Stingy (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Extremely close and covetous; cheap; unwilling to
spend money; miserly; penurious; as, a stingy churl. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/stingy.htm - 7k

Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... gifts. (ASV JPS). Isaiah 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal,
nor the churl said to be bountiful. (KJV JPS WBS). ...
/l/liberal.htm - 12k

Vile (59 Occurrences)
... work. (YLT). Isaiah 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor
the churl said to be bountiful. (KJV JPS DBY WBS). Isaiah ...
/v/vile.htm - 26k

Becoming (75 Occurrences)
... beautiful. (See NAS). Proverbs 17:7 Overbearing speech becometh not a churl;
much less do lying lips a prince. (See RSV). Proverbs ...
/b/becoming.htm - 27k

Resources
Churl: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Churl (6 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 3:33
And the king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth?
(See JPS)

Proverbs 17:7
Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
(See JPS)

Proverbs 17:21
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
(See JPS)

Proverbs 30:22
Under a servant when he reigneth, and a churl when he is filled with meat;
(DBY JPS)

Isaiah 32:5
The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 32:7
The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Churl

Related Terms

Churl (6 Occurrences)

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

Intelligent (47 Occurrences)

Ill-behaved (1 Occurrence)

Dealings (10 Occurrences)

Churlishness (1 Occurrence)

Calebite (1 Occurrence)

Ab'igail (16 Occurrences)

Abigal (1 Occurrence)

Surly (1 Occurrence)

Doings (111 Occurrences)

Carmel (33 Occurrences)

Countenance (67 Occurrences)

Beautiful (152 Occurrences)

Caleb (39 Occurrences)

Understanding (248 Occurrences)

Appearance (126 Occurrences)

Mean (93 Occurrences)

Form (153 Occurrences)

Churches of the Gentiles
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