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מַחְלָפָה

𐤌𐤇𐤋𐤐𐤄

machlâphâh

H4253 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חלף to change, to pass by, to alternate

Definition

A lock or tress of hair; specifically, a portion of hair distinguished as a separate strand or ringlet (often forming a curl or braid). The term refers to a section of hair that is apparent or marked by its arrangement, intertwining, or distinctiveness. The semantic range may also encompass decorative or symbolic hair arrangements, but generally refers to a braid, ringlet, or tress.

Semantic Range

lock of hair, ringlet, braid, braided hair, tress, plait

Root / Etymology

From the root חָלַף (ḥālap̄), meaning 'to change, pass, glide by, exchange'. The noun מַחְלָפָה is a feminine form built from this root, with the sense of 'something that intertwines, braids, or passes over/around,' hence applied to hair that is twisted or braided to form a lock or ringlet.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Bible, מַחְלָפָה occurs notably in the Samson narrative (Judges 16) referring to Samson's distinctive hair locks, which are sources of his legendary strength. The text describes seven such 'locks', likely indicating substantial tresses or braided strands rather than simple curls, emphasizing their visible and perhaps ceremonial/shamanic character in ancient Israelite culture. The term does not denote generic hair but specific, prominent portions. Its use is distinct from other Hebrew terms for hair (such as שֵׂעָר, 'hair' in general; צִיצִית, 'tassel/fringe'), focusing on the unique identity and possibly symbolic import of the arrangement. English translations as 'lock' or 'braid' generally capture the principal sense, but may not fully express the sense of elaborately arranged hair or its potential ritual/symbolic connotations in an ancient Near Eastern setting.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָלַף; a ringlet of hair (as gliding over each other); lock.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלף (ḥ-l-p̄) — to change, to pass by, to alternate

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
H4253-01 מַחְלְפ֥וֹת machelefot HNcfpc locks braided tresses of 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4253-01 Judges 16:13 מַחְלְפ֥וֹת machelefot HNcfpc locks braided tresses of
H4253-01 Judges 16:19 מַחְלְפ֣וֹת machelefot HNcfpc locks braided tresses of
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