חֵלֹן
𐤇𐤋𐤍
Chelon
H2497 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name: Chelon, an Israelite individual, specifically the father of Eliab from the tribe of Zebulun. Used only as a personal name within the genealogical records of the Israelite tribes. It does not function as a common noun in the Hebrew Bible. The name may carry the connotation of 'strength' or 'valor,' reflecting an association with martial prowess or capability, but this sense exists only as an implied quality of the name's bearer rather than as a descriptive term.
Semantic Range
proper personal name; possible association with strength or valor, but used solely as a personal name in genealogical lists
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root חֵיל (ḥyl) or חַיִל (ḥayil), meaning 'strength' or 'valor.' The connection is morphological, though the precise formation of חֵלֹן is uncertain, possibly arising as a theophoric or attributive personal name. The root meaning ('strength, stature, capacity') provides the semantic basis, but the name itself is only attested as a proper noun. Etymology uncertain beyond the clear relationship to חַיִל.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Chelon (חֵלֹן) appears in the Torah (Numbers 1:9, 2:7, 7:24, 10:16) as the father of Eliab, a tribal leader of Zebulun. The name is unique to these passages, with no evidence it referred to a people, territory, or office. English translations commonly render the name as Helon or Chelon, but the name itself gives no further information about the individual or his social role beyond genealogical connection. The use of names based on 'strength' or 'valor' is attested elsewhere in Israelite naming conventions. In post-biblical tradition and English versions, there is no conflation with later Jewish or Judean identity, as the term is fixed as a personal name from the early tribal system. Comparison: Unlike names such as גדעון (Gideon), which became theophoric or functional titles, Chelon remains only a genealogical identifier. The rendering 'strong' reflects root meaning, not functional designation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חַיִל; strong; Chelon, an Israelite; Helon.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חיל (ḥ-y-l) — strength, valor, capacity
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1134 | בֶּן־חַיִל | strength-capacity |
| H2426 | חֵיל | his strength |
| H2428 | חַיִל | in strength |
| H2429 | חַיִל | in strength |
| H2430 | חֵילָה | to her rampart |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2497-01 |
חֵלֹֽן | chelon | HNp |
Helon | Chelon | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2497-01 |
Numbers 1:9 | חֵלֹֽן | chelon | HNp |
Helon | Chelon |
H2497-01 |
Numbers 2:7 | חֵלֹֽן | chelon | HNp |
of Helon | Chelon |
H2497-01 |
Numbers 7:24 | חֵלֹֽן | chelon | HNp |
Helon | Chelon |
H2497-01 |
Numbers 7:29 | חֵלֹֽן | chelon | HNp |
Helon | Chelon |
H2497-01 |
Numbers 10:16 | חֵלֽוֹן | chelon | HNp |
of Helon | Chelon |