חַלָּמִישׁ
𐤇𐤋𐤌𐤉𐤔
challâmîysh
H2496 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A very hard type of stone, specifically flint or hard rock, often used in ancient thought as a symbol of impenetrability or durability. In the Hebrew Bible, חַלָּמִישׁ refers primarily to flint, a dense and durable silica rock distinguished for its hardness and ability to strike fire. It may be used metaphorically for extreme hardness or obstinacy (cf. Deut 8:15, Ps 114:8, Isa 50:7).
Semantic Range
flint, hard stone, rock (especially hard or impenetrable), metaphor for hardness or steadfastness, tool for striking fire
Root / Etymology
From the root חָלַם (to be hard, strong, healthy), with the specific morphological form indicating a noun denoting an object characterized by this property of extreme hardness. The root meaning 'to be strong, hard' underlies the use of חַלָּמִישׁ to denote an exceptionally hard stone.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חַלָּמִישׁ is attested primarily in poetry and elevated prose, describing a kind of hard rock associated with miraculous water sources (Exod 17:6; Deut 8:15), or as a tool for producing fire (Isa 50:7). Its function and value lay in its hardness, which distinguished it from common rock (אֶבֶן) or soft stone. Unlike later translations and English traditions (where 'flint' may sometimes evoke primitive tools), in the Israelite context it refers to a naturally occurring stone valued for its impermeability and difficulty to fracture. Modern geological identification associates it with various hard siliceous rocks, but in biblical usage, the focus is on its impenetrable character and use in challenging, desert environments. Later periods employ other terms for stone, narrowing the semantic range of חַלָּמִישׁ almost exclusively to poetic or metaphorical usage. In Isaiah 50:7, the word becomes a metaphor for resoluteness and steadfastness, showing a shift in use from physical to moral qualities. English translations with 'flint' are accurate for primary usage but risk losing the symbolic nuance found in poetic contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from חָלַם (in the sense of hardness); flint; flint(-y), rock.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלמ (ḥ-l-m) — to be strong, to be hard, to be firm
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2496-05 |
מֵ/חַלְמִ֥ישׁ | mechalemish | HR/Ncmsc |
from the flinty | from hard-flint of | 1 |
H2496-01 |
בַּֽ֭/חַלָּמִישׁ | bachalamish | HRd/Ncmsa |
on the flint | in the flint | 1 |
H2496-04 |
כַּֽ/חַלָּמִ֔ישׁ | kachalamish | HRd/Ncmsa |
like-a-flint | hard flint-stone | 1 |
H2496-02 |
חַ֝לָּמִ֗ישׁ | chalamish | HNcmsa |
the flint | hard flint-stone | 1 |
H2496-03 |
הַֽ/חַלָּמִֽישׁ | hachalamish | HTd/Ncmsa |
the flint | the hard-flint | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2496-03 |
Deuteronomy 8:15 | הַֽ/חַלָּמִֽישׁ | hachalamish | HTd/Ncmsa |
the flint | the hard-flint |
H2496-05 |
Deuteronomy 32:13 | מֵ/חַלְמִ֥ישׁ | mechalemish | HR/Ncmsc |
from the flinty | from hard-flint of |
H2496-04 |
Isaiah 50:7 | כַּֽ/חַלָּמִ֔ישׁ | kachalamish | HRd/Ncmsa |
like-a-flint | hard flint-stone |
H2496-02 |
Psalms 114:8 | חַ֝לָּמִ֗ישׁ | chalamish | HNcmsa |
the flint | hard flint-stone |
H2496-01 |
Job 28:9 | בַּֽ֭/חַלָּמִישׁ | bachalamish | HRd/Ncmsa |
on the flint | in the flint |