שַׁלֶּכֶת
𐤔𐤋𐤊𐤕
Shalekhet
H7996 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name of a gate located on the western side of the temple complex in Jerusalem, interpreted to mean 'the gate of casting down' or 'the gate of the outgoing/debris.' The meaning relates either to refuse being cast out or to the movement of people and objects. In context, it specifically designates the 'Shalleketh Gate' mentioned as a geographic feature within temple precincts.
Semantic Range
proper name of a Jerusalem temple gate, gate of casting down, gate for refuse or outgoing debris
Root / Etymology
שׁלק, meaning 'to cast down, throw away, fling.' שַׁלֶּכֶת is a feminine noun derived from this root, with the sense of something cast down, out, or aside. Here, it becomes a proper noun specifying a place name (the gate for casting out/debris).
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׁלֶּכֶת appears solely in 1 Chronicles 26:16 as a proper name for one of the gates of the temple complex in Jerusalem. The term aligns with the root שׁלק ('to cast down' or 'throw away'), and most scholars agree that it refers to the gate through which refuse or debris was carried out, probably on the west side of the temple. The rendering 'Shalleketh' is a transliteration, appearing in some English Bibles as 'Shallecheth.' The tradition of designating temple gates according to their function (e.g., Water Gate, East Gate, etc.) suggests a practical naming convention. The meaning has sometimes been obscured in translation tradition, with later Jewish and Christian sources sometimes providing interpretive or symbolic readings. The word is unique to the post-exilic literature and offers insight into temple governance and infrastructure. Thus, 'Shalleketh' does not refer to a group or identity, but to a specific architectural feature tied to ritual practice.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as שַׁלֶּכֶת; Shalleketh, a gate in Jerusalem; Shalleketh.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
שׁלק (Shalekhet) — to cast down, to fling, to throw away
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7996-01 |
שַׁלֶּ֔כֶת | shalekhet | HNp |
of Shallecheth | Casting-Down Gate | Shalekhet | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7996-01 |
1 Chronicles 26:16 | שַׁלֶּ֔כֶת | shalekhet | HNp |
of Shallecheth | Casting-Down Gate | Shalekhet |