חֶלֶף
𐤇𐤋𐤐
Chelef
H2501 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Cheleph is a proper noun denoting a geographic location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, likely a settlement or town. It is derived from a root meaning 'to exchange, change, pass on,' but as a place name, its precise etymological sense is unclear and does not directly inform its lexical function. The term does not function as a common noun but refers specifically to a named locality, identified in the context of the territorial descriptions of ancient Israelite tribal lands.
Semantic Range
proper noun (place name), geographic boundary of Naphtali; as a common noun elsewhere from the root: change, exchange, succession, passing, but these meanings are not present in the place name usage
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root ח-ל-ף (חלף), meaning 'to change, to pass, to cross.' The form חֶלֶף is a toponym (place name); while derived from the root, the name’s actual referent as a place is uncertain. The morphologic relationship is clear, but the reason for its application as a place name is obscure. Etymology uncertain beyond connection to the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Cheleph appears in Joshua 19:33 as a geographic boundary marker for the tribal allotments, specifically as part of the northern territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali. The exact location is unknown in modern terms, and it is only attested as a place name in the biblical record. Standard translations transliterate the name or occasionally provide variant spellings (Cheleph, Heleph), but do not supply a meaning. Later traditions and translations have not preserved a continuous memory or identification of this site. The association with the root 'to change' is primarily etymological and does not indicate a function or role in its narrative usage. Cheleph should be distinguished from the common noun for 'change' (חֵלֶף), as its contextual use in the Hebrew Bible refers exclusively to a geographical entity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as חֵלֶף; change; Cheleph, a place in Palestine; Heleph.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלף (ḥ-l-p) — to change, to exchange, to pass by, to come after
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2475 | חֲלוֹף | survivor |
| H2487 | חֲלִיפָה | my change |
| H2498 | חָלַף | he passed |
| H2499 | חֲלַף | they will pass on |
| H2500 | חֵלֶף | in place of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2501-01 |
מֵ/חֵ֨לֶף | mechelef | HR/Np |
from Heleph | from Cheleph | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2501-01 |
Joshua 19:33 | מֵ/חֵ֨לֶף | mechelef | HR/Np |
from Heleph | from Cheleph |