from חָדַל; rest, i.e. the state of the dead; world.
Transliteration:chedel
Pronunciation:kheh'-del
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H2309 (חֶדֶל, *chedel*) is derived from the verb `{{H2308}}` (חָדַל, *ḥāḏal*), which signifies "to cease, desist, stop, or refrain." Consequently, חֶדֶל inherently carries the semantic weight of cessation or inactivity. The base definition provided, "rest, i.e. the state of the dead; world," illuminates its specific application. It does not refer to a general state of repose, but rather the ultimate cessation of life, the stillness characteristic of death. The rendering "world" in this context is not the cosmos or the inhabited earth, but rather the "world of the dead," the realm where life has ceased. Thus, חֶדֶל denotes the place or state of those who have departed from the land of the living, emphasizing their cessation of earthly activity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֶדֶל (chedel) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the lament of King Hezekiah recorded in [[Isaiah 38:11]]:
"I said, 'I shall not see the Lord, the Lord in the land of the living; I shall behold man no more among the inhabitants of the *world* (חֶדֶל).'"
In this deeply poignant passage, Hezekiah, facing imminent death, expresses his profound sorrow at being cut off from the vibrant "land of the living" (אֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים). The phrase "inhabitants of the world" (יושבי חֶדֶל) stands in direct antithesis to the living, unequivocally referring to the deceased. The context makes it clear that חֶדֶל functions as a poetic synonym for the grave or the underworld, a place of silence and separation from the sphere of human interaction and divine presence experienced by the living. Hezekiah's lament is not merely about physical demise but about the cessation of his active participation in life and his perceived separation from YHWH in the realm of the living.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to חֶדֶל is its verbal root, `{{H2308}}` (חָדַל, *ḥāḏal*), meaning "to cease, stop, or refrain." This etymological connection reinforces the core meaning of חֶדֶל as a state of ultimate cessation.
Conceptually, חֶדֶל aligns with other Old Testament terms describing the realm of the dead:
* `{{H7585}}` (שְׁאוֹל, *Sheol*): The most common Hebrew term for the grave, the underworld, or the collective abode of the dead, often depicted as a shadowy and silent place.
* `{{H6913}}` (קֶבֶר, *qever*): A more literal term for "grave" or "burial place."
* `{{H953}}` (בּוֹר, *bor*): "Pit" or "cistern," often used metaphorically for the grave or the underworld, emphasizing its depth and darkness.
* `{{H1745}}` (דוּמָה, *dumah*): "Silence," a poetic term sometimes used in parallel with Sheol, highlighting the quietude of the dead.
The contrast between חֶדֶל and the "land of the living" (אֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים) is also a crucial conceptual pairing, emphasizing the stark divide between existence and non-existence in the earthly sphere.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of חֶדֶל provides a poignant glimpse into the ancient Israelite understanding of death. It underscores several theological points:
1. **Mortality and Cessation:** חֶדֶל powerfully communicates the reality of human mortality and the definitive cessation of earthly life. It is a state of "rest" in the sense of an end to all activity and interaction in the living world.
2. **The Nature of Sheol:** While not a primary term for the underworld, חֶדֶל reinforces the common Old Testament portrayal of Sheol as a realm of silence, inactivity, and separation from the vibrant presence of God experienced by the living. Hezekiah's lament that he "shall not see the Lord... in the land of the living" highlights the perceived disconnect between the deceased and divine fellowship.
3. **Lament and Loss:** The use of חֶדֶל in Hezekiah's prayer encapsulates the profound sense of loss associated with death in the Old Testament. It is a loss of communion with God, a loss of fellowship with humanity, and a cessation of the ability to praise God actively in the realm of the living (cf. [[Psalm 6:5]], [[Psalm 115:17]]). This word, therefore, serves as a stark reminder of the limitations of human life and the solemnity of its end.
### Summary
H2309 (חֶדֶל, *chedel*) is a rare but significant Hebrew term derived from the verb meaning "to cease." It refers to the "state of the dead" or the "world of the dead," emphasizing the cessation of life and activity that characterizes the grave or Sheol. Its single occurrence in [[Isaiah 38:11]], within King Hezekiah's lament, starkly contrasts the "land of the living" with the realm of the departed. Theologically, חֶדֶל highlights the reality of human mortality, the Old Testament understanding of Sheol as a place of inactivity and separation, and the profound sense of loss associated with being cut off from divine and human fellowship in the vibrant world of the living.
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