חׇגְלָה

𐤇𐤂𐤋𐤄

Chgelah

H2295 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain; possibly connected to 'partridge'

Definition

Proper name designating a woman, specifically one of the five daughters of Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh, notable for their role in inheritance laws recorded in the Torah. Also appears as a geographical place name (see 'Beth Hoglah'). The primary usage is as a personal name rather than an appellative or common noun.

Semantic Range

personal name (Israelite woman); possible toponym (place name); no usage as a common noun

Root / Etymology

The etymology is uncertain. Some have linked the name to the noun for 'partridge,' though this connection is debated and possibly the result of later Hebrew developments or folk etymology. The form חׇגְלָה is not transparently derived from a Biblical Hebrew root with a clear lexical meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Hoglah is cited in the Torah (Numbers, Joshua) as one of Zelophehad's daughters who petitioned for, and were granted, rights of inheritance among the Israelites. The name is used strictly as a personal name in genealogical and narrative passages, and is not used as a descriptive term or title elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. The resemblance to the Hebrew term for 'partridge' (חגלה, with different vocalization) is noted in medieval and modern lexica, but this association is not based on contextual usage in the biblical texts and likely reflects an attempt to provide folk or symbolic meaning after the fact. English versions sometimes render the name as 'Hoglah,' and occasionally associate it etymologically with 'partridge.' The place name 'Beth Hoglah' (בֵּית־חָגְלָה) occurs later, likely as a toponym derived from the woman's name, or possibly sharing the debated etymology. The term does not designate any tribal, profession, or religious status, and the use of the English term 'Jew' for Hoglah or her descendants would be anachronistic; she is an Israelite of Manasseh.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; probably a partridge; Choglah, an Israelitess; Hoglah. See also בֵּית חׇגְלָה.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לא־ידוע (unknown) — uncertain; possibly linked to partridge (debated)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1887 הֵא Look!
H5868 עֲיָם Ayam
H728 אֲרַוְנָה Arnijah
H829 אֶשְׁפָּר apportioned choice portion
H8347 שֵׁשַׁךְ Sheshak

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2295-01 חָגְלָ֥ה chagelah HNp Hoglah Hoglah 2
H2295-02 וְ/חָגְלָ֥ה vechagelah HC/Np and Hoglah and Hoglah 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2295-01 Numbers 26:33 חָגְלָ֥ה chagelah HNp Hoglah Hoglah
H2295-02 Numbers 27:1 וְ/חָגְלָ֥ה vechagelah HC/Np Hoglah and Hoglah
H2295-02 Numbers 36:11 וְ/חָגְלָ֧ה vechagelah HC/Np and Hoglah and Hoglah
H2295-01 Joshua 17:3 חָגְלָ֥ה chagelah HNp Hoglah Hoglah