חֵלֶם
𐤇𐤋𐤌
Chelem
H2494 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun: Helem (Chêlem), the name of an Israelite man in genealogical records. Also visually similar to common noun forms relating to 'dream,' but in this instance, it serves solely as a personal name. The semantic range is limited to its use as an anthroponym in the biblical genealogical context, not to be confused with the noun meaning 'dream.'
Semantic Range
proper name (personal name of an Israelite); related in form to noun 'dream' but used solely as a proper name in this instance
Root / Etymology
From the root חלם, meaning 'to dream' or 'be strong,' though the direct derivation as a personal name is possibly from the idea of strength or vigor rather than the literal meaning 'dream.' The formation as a proper noun (Helem/Chêlem) may reflect a quality attributed to the bearer (i.e., strength, health, or associated qualities), but the precise rationale for the naming is unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֵלֶם appears in 1 Chronicles 7:35 as the name of an Israelite, specifically among descendants of Asher. The spelling and pronunciation are distinct from the common noun 'חֲלוֹם' (chalom, 'dream'), though both are from the root חלם. In genealogical lists, the term is used exclusively as a personal name and does not carry the ordinary lexical sense of 'dream.' Some translations render it as 'Helem,' preserving the proper noun status. The use of this name is restricted to this figure in biblical texts; it is not to be confused with similar-sounding terms, nor should it be interpreted through the lens of later religious or ethnic developments.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָלַם; a dream; Chelem, an Israelite; Helem. Compare חֶלְדַּי.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלם (ḥ-l-m) — to dream, to be strong, to be healthy
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2472 | חֲלוֹם | in the dream |
| H2492 | חָלַם | he dreamed |
| H2493 | חֵלֶם | dream-vision |
| H2495 | חַלָּמוּת | bland herb |
| H5161 | נֶחֱלָמִי | the Nechelamite |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2494-01 |
לְ/חֵ֨לֶם֙ | lechelem | HR/Np |
to-Helem | to Helem | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2494-01 |
Zechariah 6:14 | לְ/חֵ֨לֶם֙ | lechelem | HR/Np |
to-Helem | to Helem |