### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Chêylâm**, represented by `{{H2431}}`, refers to a place east of Palestine whose name means **fortress**. It is found exclusively in the historical account of King David's wars, appearing **2 times** across **2 unique verses**.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, **Helam** `{{H2431}}` is the site of a major military confrontation. The Syrian king, Hadarezer `{{H1928}}`, gathered his forces from beyond the river `{{H5104}}` and brought them to **Helam** `{{H2431}}`, led by his captain, Shobach `{{H7731}}` [[2 Samuel 10:16]]. Upon hearing this, David `{{H1732}}` gathered `{{H622}}` all of Israel `{{H3478}}`, crossed `{{H5674}}` the Jordan `{{H3383}}`, and came `{{H935}}` to **Helam** `{{H2431}}`. It was there that the Syrians `{{H758}}` arrayed themselves for battle and fought `{{H3898}}` against David [[2 Samuel 10:17]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The event at Helam is defined by the key figures and actions involved:
* `{{H1732}}` **Dâvid** (David): The king of Israel, defined as "loving," who personally led his army to confront the enemy at Helam [[2 Samuel 10:17]].
* `{{H1928}}` **Hădarʻezer** (Hadarezer): The Syrian king who initiated the conflict by sending `{{H7971}}` his army to Helam [[2 Samuel 10:16]].
* `{{H3898}}` **lâcham** (fought): This primitive root, meaning "to battle," describes the definitive action that occurred at Helam between the armies of Israel and Syria [[2 Samuel 10:17]].
* `{{H7731}}` **Shôwbâk** (Shobach): The captain `{{H8269}}` of Hadarezer's host `{{H6635}}` who went before `{{H6440}}` the Syrian army at Helam [[2 Samuel 10:16]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H2431}}` is purely geographical and historical, marking the location of a pivotal event.
* **A Place of Confrontation:** Helam is established as the designated battlefield where the armies of Israel and Syria converged. David's gathering of "all Israel" `{{H3478}}` highlights the national importance of this clash [[2 Samuel 10:17]].
* **A Strategic Objective:** The movement of armies toward this location underscores its strategic role. Hadarezer brought out `{{H3318}}` his troops to come `{{H935}}` to Helam, and David responded by passing over `{{H5674}}` the Jordan `{{H3383}}` to meet them there [[2 Samuel 10:16-17]].
* **The Clash of Kingdoms:** The conflict at Helam represents a direct confrontation between the kingdom of Israel, led by David `{{H1732}}`, and the Syrian forces commanded by King Hadarezer `{{H1928}}`.
### Summary
In summary, **Helam** `{{H2431}}` is a place name defined entirely by the military campaign recorded in 2 Samuel. While its own definition is "fortress," its biblical importance comes from being the specific location where David and the full force of Israel met and fought the Syrian army, marking a key moment in the expansion of David's kingdom.
TRV