זֹחֶלֶת
𐤆𐤇𐤋𐤕
Zochelet
H2120 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun referring to a specific prominent rock near En Rogel, mentioned in the narrative of Adonijah’s attempted accession. The name likely conveys the meaning 'Crawling' or 'Creeping', possibly relating to the movement of serpents, lizards, or some aspect of the rock's winding or snaking appearance. In context, Zohelet identifies a known landmark just outside Jerusalem.
Semantic Range
a crawling creature (esp. snake or lizard), creeping motion, by extension: a place characterized by crawling things or snaking shape, proper noun—a landmark stone ('Zoheleth') near ancient Jerusalem
Root / Etymology
From the root זחל (z-ḥ-l), 'to crawl' or 'to glide along the ground.' זֹחֶלֶת (zoḥélet) is the feminine active participle form, meaning 'crawling (thing)' or 'crawler.' Used here as a proper noun by extension or metaphorical designation of a location.
Historical & Contextual Notes
זֹחֶלֶת occurs once in the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings 1:9), denoting the stone 'Zohelet' near En Rogel, where Adonijah held a feast in his bid to be declared king. The term is not used elsewhere for ordinary stones but seems to be a place-name derived from an observable characteristic—either the presence of reptiles, the winding form of the stone, or its position. Later traditions refer to it as 'the Serpent Stone.' English translations typically transliterate as 'Zoheleth.' Comparison with other participial place names (e.g., Gilgal, 'circle') suggests a descriptive, not personal, origin. There is no indication that the object was considered of cultic or ritual importance beyond being a conspicuous landmark.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine active participle of זָחַל; crawling (i.e. serpent); Zocheleth, a boundary stone in. Palestine; Zoheleth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זחל (z-ḥ-l) — to crawl, creep, glide along the ground
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2119 | זָחַל | like crawling ones |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2120-01 |
הַזֹּחֶ֔לֶת | hazochelet | HNp |
of Zoheleth | the Crawling-One | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2120-01 |
1 Kings 1:9 | הַזֹּחֶ֔לֶת | hazochelet | HNp |
of Zoheleth | the Crawling-One |