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חַכִּים

𐤇𐤊𐤉𐤌

chakkîym

H2445 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Wise; one who is skilled, learned, or possesses wisdom, often referring to those recognized for their expertise, discernment, or mastery of specialized knowledge. In Aramaic contexts, especially in Daniel and related literature, it can indicate those considered 'wise men'—counselors or specialists in interpretation, such as court sages, dream interpreters, or practitioners of various scholarly or esoteric arts. The term is not necessarily limited to moral or ethical wisdom, but broadly encompasses technical and intellectual skill as well.

Semantic Range

wise, skilled, learned, expert, sage, counselor, Magian (in the sense of learned practitioner), interpretive specialist, magician (in some contexts)

Root / Etymology

From the root חכם (ḥ-k-m), meaning 'to be wise' or 'to act wisely.' חַכִּים is the Aramaic form reflecting the same underlying root as the Hebrew חָכָם (ḥākām, 'wise'). The Aramaic form carries similar meanings but is contextually and grammatically distinct in form and usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חַכִּים appears only in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel and Ezra. In Daniel, the term often designates the court circle of advisors in Babylon (including astrologers, dream interpreters, and practitioners of various learned professions), a group sometimes translated as 'wise men' or 'Magians' because of their association with Mesopotamian wisdom traditions and interpretive arts. The English translation 'Magian' is drawn from later Greek sources; in the Aramaic context, the term's primary connotation is scholarly or interpretive expertise rather than a specific ethnic or religious identity. While חַכִּים can refer to technical or professional skill (including sages, scholars, or magicians), its sense depends on context, sometimes including both Israelites and non-Israelites. Later Jewish tradition narrows the term toward religious wisdom, but in the biblical Aramaic, it is broader and context-dependent. The use of 'wise men' in English Bibles sometimes fails to communicate the breadth of the original term, which can encompass a spectrum from statesmanship to esoteric practice. For distinction, note that the Hebrew form חָכָם is more common in the broader Hebrew Bible and often applies to Israelite sages, while חַכִּים is the Aramaic equivalent particularly in foreign or diaspora settings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to חָכַם; wise, i.e. a Magian; wise.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

חכם (Chakhemoni) — to be wise, to act wisely, to be skillful

Root חכם to be wise, to act wisely, to be skillful, to have understanding
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2449 חָכַם wise man of
H2450 חָכָם wise one of
H2451 חׇכְמָה in wisdom
H2452 חׇכְמָה the wisdom
H2453 חַכְמוֹנִי Hachmonite clansman

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2445-02 חַכִּימֵ֥י chakimey ANcmpc wise men wise men of wise men 6
H2445-04 לְ/חַכִּימֵ֖י lechakimey ATo/Ncmpc the-wise-men-of to skilled wise-men of the wise-men of 4
H2445-01 חַכִּֽימַיָּ/א֙ chakimaya ANcmpd/Td the wise men the wise ones the wise men 1
H2445-03 חַכִּימִ֣ין chakimin ANcmpa wise men wise men wise men 1
H2445-05 לְ/חַכִּימִ֔ין lechakimin AR/Ncmpa to the wise to wise ones to the wise 1
H2445-06 וְ/חַכִּֽימַיָּ֖/א vechakimaya AC/Ncmpd/Td and-the-wise-[men] and the wise experts and the wise men 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2445-02 Daniel 2:12 חַכִּימֵ֥י chakimey ANcmpc wise men wise men of the wise men of
H2445-06 Daniel 2:13 וְ/חַכִּֽימַיָּ֖/א vechakimaya AC/Ncmpd/Td and-the-wise-[men] and the wise experts and the wise men
H2445-04 Daniel 2:14 לְ/חַכִּימֵ֖י lechakimey ATo/Ncmpc the wise men to skilled wise-men of the wise men of
H2445-02 Daniel 2:18 חַכִּימֵ֥י chakimey ANcmpc wise men wise men of the wise men
H2445-05 Daniel 2:21 לְ/חַכִּימִ֔ין lechakimin AR/Ncmpa to the wise to wise ones to the wise
H2445-04 Daniel 2:24 לְ/חַכִּימֵ֣י lechakimey ATo/Ncmpc the-wise-men-of to skilled wise-men of the wise-men of
H2445-04 Daniel 2:24 לְ/חַכִּימֵ֤י lechakimey-2 ATo/Ncmpc the-wise-men-of to skilled wise-men of the wise-men of
H2445-03 Daniel 2:27 חַכִּימִ֣ין chakimin ANcmpa wise men wise men wise men
H2445-02 Daniel 2:48 חַכִּימֵ֥י chakimey ANcmpc wise men wise men of wise men of
H2445-02 Daniel 4:3 חַכִּימֵ֣י chakimey ANcmpc wise-men-of wise men of wise men
H2445-02 Daniel 4:15 חַכִּימֵ֣י chakimey ANcmpc wise men wise men of wise men
H2445-04 Daniel 5:7 לְ/חַכִּימֵ֣י lechakimey AR/Ncmpc to wise men to skilled wise-men of to the wise-men of
H2445-02 Daniel 5:8 חַכִּימֵ֣י chakimey ANcmpc wise men wise men of the wise men of
H2445-01 Daniel 5:15 חַכִּֽימַיָּ/א֙ chakimaya ANcmpd/Td the wise men the wise ones the wise men
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