← H2341 H2343 →

חוּל

𐤇𐤅𐤋

chûwl

H2342 verb

SILEX Entry

Root חוּל to twist, whirl, writhe, tremble, be in labor

Definition

To move in a circular or writhing motion; to writhe or twist, especially in intense physical or emotional experience; to give birth (of a woman or animal in labor); to be in anguish, tremble, or shake; by extension, to wait anxiously, hope patiently. In poetic and prophetic contexts, the verb is often used metaphorically for strong emotion, suffering, anticipation, or distress, as well as hope and longing.

Semantic Range

to twist/whirl (physically), to dance, to writhe (in pain or fear), to be in labor (childbirth), to tremble or quake, to be greatly agitated, to grieve, to fear, to wait anxiously, to hope patiently, to endure emotional distress

Root / Etymology

From the root חוּל, related to the concept of twisting, whirling, or spinning. The primary sense involves circular movement or convulsive motion, which naturally extends to meanings involving birth pangs, trembling in fear or pain, and even figurative emotional states such as intense anticipation or hope.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historically, חוּל appears across various periods and genres in biblical Hebrew, including poetic, prophetic, and narrative texts. In early texts it most often refers to the physical experience of labor (birth pangs) or to trembling in fear. In the Psalms and prophetic books, it becomes a metaphor for distress, anguish, or overwhelming emotion. Occasionally, especially in later poetry, it also expresses the sense of patient anticipation or hope, likely drawing from the tension and expectancy inherent in the physical action of writhing or trembling. Some English translations render the verb as 'to hope' or 'to wait,' especially in poetic settings (e.g., Job, Psalms), but this sense is derived, not primary. Although חוּל and חִיל (H2342; see alternate spelling) share meanings, חִיל usually emphasizes strength or wealth, while חוּל focuses on motion and emotional/physical agitation. Modern translations may narrow the meaning to 'labor' or 'tremble,' but the biblical use is often broader and more metaphorical. The sense 'to dance' is rare and possibly restricted to early, more literal uses. Later uses, especially in Greek and English translation traditions, sometimes conflate the word with 'waiting' or 'hope,' which is a secondary, context-driven development.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or חִיל; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figuratively, to wait, to pervert; bear, (make to) bring forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously (with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope, look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake, shapen, (be) sorrow(-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain), tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

חול (ḥ-w-l) — twisting, whirling, writhing, trembling, laboring

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2341 חֲוִילָה Whirling Region
H2343 חוּל and Whirl
H2344 חוֹל in whirling sand
H2426 חֵיל encircling rampart
H2427 חִיל writhing throe

Word Forms

42 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2342-37 יָחִ֖ילוּ yachilu HVqi3mp his ways prosper they will writhe 5
H2342-36 יָחִ֣יל yachil HVhi3ms shakes he causes to writhe 4
H2342-30 וַ/יָּ֣חֶל vayachel HC/Vpw3ms and he became and he writhed in anguish 3
H2342-07 חוֹלָ֑לְתִּי cholaleti HVOp1cs I was brought forth I was made to writhe 3
H2342-01 חָ֔לָה chalah HVqp3fs has writhed sickness 3
H2342-10 ח֧וּלִי chuli HVqv2fs tremble Writhe! 2
H2342-05 חִ֥ילוּ chilu HVqv2mp tremble Writhe! 2
H2342-04 חָ֔לוּ chalu HVqp3cp they felt pain they writhed 2
H2342-18 תָּחִ֥יל tachil HVqi3fs she travailed she will writhe 2
H2342-38 יָחֽוּל yachul HVqi3ms it will burst he will writhe 2

Occurrences in Scripture

61 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2342-30 Genesis 8:10 וַ/יָּ֣חֶל vayachel HC/Vpw3ms and he waited and he writhed in anguish
H2342-33 Deuteronomy 2:25 וְ/חָל֖וּ vechalu HC/Vqq3cp and be in anguish and they writhed
H2342-16 Deuteronomy 32:18 מְחֹלְלֶֽ/ךָ mecholelekha HVormsc/Sp2ms who gave you birth your begetter
H2342-31 Judges 3:25 וַ/יָּחִ֣ילוּ vayachilu HC/Vqw3mp And they waited they writhed
H2342-14 Judges 21:21 לָ/ח֣וּל lachul HR/Vqc to dance to writhe
H2342-12 Judges 21:23 הַ/מְּחֹלְל֖וֹת hamecholelot HTd/Vorfpa the dancers the whirling ones
H2342-30 1 Samuel 31:3 וַ/יָּ֥חֶל vayachel HC/Vqw3ms and he became and he writhed in anguish
H2342-39 2 Samuel 3:29 יָחֻ֨לוּ֙ yachulu HVqi3mp may it fall they will writhe
H2342-40 Isaiah 13:8 יְחִיל֑וּ/ן yechilun HVqi3mp/Sn they shall writhe they will writhe
H2342-03 Isaiah 23:4 חַ֣לְתִּי chaleti HVqp1cs I have travailed I writhed
← H2341 Hebrew Lexicon H2343 →