English · KJV
H2508

חֲלָק

chălâq /khal-awk'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to חָלַק
Meaninga part
KJV usageportion.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chălâq — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word chălâq, represented by H2508, refers to a part; portion. It is a specific term, appearing only 3 times across 3 unique verses. Its meaning revolves around an allotted share, whether in a context of divine judgment or geopolitical territory.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The word is used in two distinct contexts. In the book of Daniel, it describes the humbling fate of King Nebuchadnezzar. A heavenly decree states that his portion H2508 will be with the beasts of the field, where he will be wet with the dew of heaven until seven times pass over him (Daniel 4:15, Daniel 4:23). In Ezra, the term is used in a letter to the king, warning that if Jerusalem is rebuilt, he will have no H3809 portion H2508 in the region "on this side the river" Ezra 4:16, signifying a loss of territory and authority.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide context for the meaning of chălâq:

  • H2423 chêyvâʼ (an animal; beast): This word is directly linked to Nebuchadnezzar's judgment, as his portion H2508 is to be "with the beasts" (Daniel 4:15, Daniel 4:23).
  • H1251 bar (a field; field): This specifies the location of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling, as his portion is with the beasts "of the field" Daniel 4:23.
  • H7149 qiryâʼ (a city): In Ezra, the rebuilding of "this city" Ezra 4:16 is the direct cause for the king losing his portion H2508 of the territory.

Theological Significance

The concept of H2508 carries significant weight in its limited appearances:

  • Divine Judgment: The word is used to describe a decreed punishment from heaven. Nebuchadnezzar's portion H2508 with the beasts is not an accident but a direct consequence of his pride, as declared by a watcher and a holy one Daniel 4:23.
  • Loss of Sovereignty: In Ezra, having a portion H2508 signifies control and dominion over a territory. The warning is that rebuilding the city will lead to the king having "no portion" Ezra 4:16, a direct challenge to his rule.
  • Assigned Fate: In both contexts, chălâq represents an allotted reality. For Nebuchadnezzar, it is a humbling fate to endure for seven times Daniel 4:23, while for the king in Ezra, it is a potential loss of a part of his kingdom.

Summary

In summary, H2508 chălâq defines an assigned share or part. Though rare, its usage powerfully illustrates concepts of divine judgment and earthly authority. It can describe the humbling fate assigned to a prideful king, whose portion H2508 is with the animals Daniel 4:15, or the tangible territory and influence a ruler stands to lose Ezra 4:16. The word thus encapsulates the idea of a decreed allotment, whether from God or through political events.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • חֲלָקֵ
  • חֲלָק

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3809 לָא (Aramaic) or לָה; (Aramaic) (Daniel 4:32), corresponding to לֹא; {not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; H2423 חֵיוָא (Aramaic) from חֲיָא; an animal; beast. H1251 בַּר (Aramaic) corresponding to בָּר; a field; field. H7149 קִרְיָא (Aramaic) or קִרְיָה; (Aramaic), corresponding to קִרְיָה; {building; a city}; city.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Daniel (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
Ezra
2
Daniel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.