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חֶלֶץ

𐤇𐤋𐤑

Chelets

H2503 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חלץ to draw off, rescue, prepare, equip

Definition

Personal name, 'Helez'; the word as a common noun refers in other contexts to 'loins' or 'body part associated with strength or vitality,' but in this form functions exclusively as a proper name for two distinct individuals in Israelite genealogies and military rosters.

Semantic Range

personal name ('Helez'); elsewhere as common noun: 'loins,' 'body part,' 'seat of strength or vitality'

Root / Etymology

From the root חָלַץ (chalats), meaning 'to draw off, equip, rescue, deliver.' The form חֶלֶץ is likely derived either directly from this root or as a shortened or altered nominal form (possibly with the original sense of 'strength' or 'loins'), but here functions as a personal name. Unrelated to חֵלֶץ used for 'loins' except by homonymy and shared root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the biblical text, חֶלֶץ occurs only as a theophoric personal name for two Israelites: Helez the Paltite, one of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:27; 27:10), and a family head in the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:37). The meaning of the name is not explicitly connected to a discernible attribute or role in narrative. The word חֶלֶץ as a common noun ('loins') is more widespread and refers to the physical body region associated with strength or offspring, but in the form חֶלֶץ as a name, it carries no such explicit function. Later translation traditions (Septuagint) transliterate the name as Helez rather than translating. The KJV and other English versions render the personal name as 'Helez,' following transliteration. The alternate spelling חֵלֶץ reflects an orthographic variation but represents the same individual(s). Care should be taken not to confuse the proper name with the common noun חֶלֶץ (loins). This usage is anchored in the genealogical and military contexts of the Israelite monarchy and does not persist into post-exilic literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or חֵלֶץ; from חָלַץ; perhaps, strength; Chelets, the name of two Israelites; Helez.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלץ (ḥ-l-ṣ) — draw off, rescue, equip, deliver, gird

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2488 חֲלִיצָה his battle-armor
H2502 חָלַץ I will draw him out
H2504 חָלָץ loins
H4254 מַחֲלָצָה the changeable garments

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2503-02 חֶ֚לֶץ chelets HNp Helez Helez 3
H2503-01 חָ֔לֶץ chalets HNp Helez Helez 1
H2503-03 וְ/חֶ֖לֶץ vechelets HC/Np and Helez and Helez 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2503-02 2 Samuel 23:26 חֶ֚לֶץ chelets HNp Helez Helez
H2503-01 1 Chronicles 2:39 חָ֔לֶץ chalets HNp Helez Helez
H2503-03 1 Chronicles 2:39 וְ/חֶ֖לֶץ vechelets HC/Np and Helez and Helez
H2503-02 1 Chronicles 11:27 חֶ֖לֶץ chelets HNp Helez Helez
H2503-02 1 Chronicles 27:10 חֶ֥לֶץ chelets HNp Helez Helez
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