Churl

A churl, in biblical usage, denotes a person of base character — miserly, harsh, and contemptuous of others. The term translates the Hebrew kĕlai and nabal, both indicating moral coarseness rather than mere poverty. In Isaiah 32:5, the prophet contrasts the time when a churl will no longer be called noble with the coming era of righteousness, suggesting that Israel's social disorder had elevated mean-spirited men to positions of honor.

The practical portrait of a churl appears in Nabal of Maon (1 Samuel 25:3), whose refusal to show hospitality to David's men and whose contemptuous reply nearly brought destruction upon his household. The New Testament parable of the talents (Matthew 25:24) uses related language to describe one who imagines the master to be hard and unreasonable. Throughout Scripture the churl serves as a foil to the generous, just, and noble person whom God honors.