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חֹל

𐤇𐤋

chôl

H2455 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ח־ל־ל to pierce, to desecrate, to make common

Definition

Chôl primarily designates what is common, ordinary, or secular as opposed to what is sacred or dedicated (qodesh); it refers to the status of things, places, or times that are not set apart for ritual or cultic use. In most contexts, it describes something or someone who lacks special consecration and is therefore considered 'profane' (in the technical sense: not sanctified), or associated with everyday, non-sacred purposes. In some passages, it can further denote a state of defilement or impurity, particularly in contrast with ritual holiness.

Semantic Range

common (in the sense of non-sacred), profane (cultically non-holy), secular, ordinary, not consecrated, lacking ritual dedication, exposed to everyday use

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חלל (ḥ-l-l), which in its qal form means 'to pierce, bore,' and in the hiphil most commonly 'to profane, defile, desecrate.' The nominal form chôl reflects a stative or adjectival formation from this root, signifying the state or quality of being 'common' as opposed to 'holy.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, חֹל (chôl) consistently indicates a dichotomy with קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh, 'sacred, holy') rather than being a strictly negative term. The category of chôl was vital in the priestly worldview for demarcating ritual boundaries: days (e.g., Genesis 2:3, Ezekiel 22:26), objects (Leviticus 10:10), and places could be designated as either chôl or qodesh. During the monarchic period, this distinction was foundational in laws pertaining to priests and sanctuary practices (e.g., Ezekiel 42:20). In post-exilic (Second Temple) literature, the chôl/qodesh distinction remained central but could sometimes take on more moral or ethical undertones. English translations often use 'profane' or 'common,' but 'profane' may misleadingly imply moral blame; the primary emphasis in ancient Hebrew was on cultic status rather than ethical evaluation. Related forms (e.g., the verb חִלֵּל) emphasize the act of desacralizing, while chôl refers to the resultant state. The term should not be confused with later rabbinic or Christian ideas of 'secular' or 'unholy,' which carry different cultural baggage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָלַל; properly, exposed; hence, profane; common, profane (place), unholy.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלל (ḥ-l-l) — to pierce, to desecrate, to make common

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2426 חֵיל Begin!
H2471 חַלָּה perforated bread-cake
H2474 חַלּוֹן in the pierced opening
H2479 חַלְחָלָה paralyzing trembling
H2485 חָלִיל with perforated flutes

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2455-01 חֹ֖ל chol HNcmsa common the common 3
H2455-03 לְ/חֹל֙ lechol HR/Ncmsa and the profane to commonness 3
H2455-02 הַ/חֹ֑ל hachol HTd/Ncmsa the common the common 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2455-02 Leviticus 10:10 הַ/חֹ֑ל hachol HTd/Ncmsa the common the common
H2455-01 1 Samuel 21:5 חֹ֖ל chol HNcmsa common the common
H2455-01 1 Samuel 21:6 חֹ֔ל chol HNcmsa common the common
H2455-03 Ezekiel 22:26 לְ/חֹל֙ lechol HR/Ncmsa and the profane to commonness
H2455-03 Ezekiel 42:20 לְ/חֹֽל lechol HR/Ncmsa and the common to commonness
H2455-03 Ezekiel 44:23 לְ/חֹ֑ל lechol HR/Ncmsa and the profane to commonness
H2455-01 Ezekiel 48:15 חֹֽל chol HNcmsa profane the common
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