חֲלַקְלַקָּה
𐤇𐤋𐤒𐤋𐤒𐤄
chălaqlaqqâh
H2519 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A surface or place characterized by being exceedingly smooth or slippery, often metaphorically referring to situations or speech that is deceitful, treacherous, or dangerously alluring. In a physical sense, indicates a slippery or hazardous area; in figurative/poetic usage, points to the quality of flattery or seduction by persuasive but untrustworthy words.
Semantic Range
slippery place, treacherous ground, dangerously smooth surface; flattering or deceitful speech, blandishment, smooth or seductive words
Root / Etymology
Derived by reduplication from the root חָלַק (ḥ-l-q), which means 'to be smooth, slippery, to divide.' The form חֲלַקְלַקָּה emphasizes the sense of extreme smoothness or slipperiness, both physically and figuratively.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, חֲלַקְלַקָּה is rare and poetic, occurring in figurative contexts to highlight danger—not only physical (treacherous ground or paths, especially in Psalms and Proverbs) but also moral (untrustworthy or seductive speech). The reduplication intensifies the notion of slickness or slipperiness, making it an apt descriptor for situations or words that may appear attractive or harmless but conceal harm. Such language is often set in contrast to words or paths of righteousness or truth. Modern translations differ: some render it as 'flattery,' 'slippery places,' or 'deceitfulness,' but no single English term consistently captures both physical and figurative senses. The word does not appear in narrative descriptions, but rather in poetic and sapiential literature, often warning of the dangers inherent in smoothness—literal or verbal. Related nouns, such as חֶלְקָה (plot of ground, portion), do not carry this figurative sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
by reduplication from חָלַק; properly, something very smooth; i.e. a treacherous spot; figuratively, blandishment; flattery, slippery.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלק (ḥ-l-q) — to be smooth, to be slippery, to divide, to apportion
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2505 | חָלַק | I will apportion |
| H2506 | חֵלֶק | in allotted portion of |
| H2507 | חֵלֶק | allotted portion |
| H2508 | חֲלָק | smooth |
| H2509 | חָלָק | smooth |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2519-01 |
בַּ/חֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת | bachalaqelaqot | HR/Ncfpa |
by flatteries | in treacherous smooth-places | 2 |
H2519-03 |
וַ/חֲלַקְלַקּ֑וֹת | vachalaqelaqot | HC/Ncfpa |
and-slipperiness | treacherous smooth-places | 1 |
H2519-02 |
כַּ/חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת֙ | kachalaqelaqot | HR/Ncfpa |
like slippery places | like treacherous smooth places | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2519-02 |
Jeremiah 23:12 | כַּ/חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת֙ | kachalaqelaqot | HR/Ncfpa |
like slippery places | like treacherous smooth places |
H2519-03 |
Psalms 35:6 | וַ/חֲלַקְלַקּ֑וֹת | vachalaqelaqot | HC/Ncfpa |
and-slipperiness | treacherous smooth-places |
H2519-01 |
Daniel 11:21 | בַּ/חֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת | bachalaqelaqot | HR/Ncfpa |
by flatteries | in treacherous smooth-places |
H2519-01 |
Daniel 11:34 | בַּ/חֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת | bachalaqelaqot | HR/Ncfpa |
with flatteries | in treacherous smooth-places |