a form of חֶלְקָה; smoothness; Chelkath, a place in Palestine; Helkath.
Transliteration:Chelqath
Pronunciation:khel-kath'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חֶלְקַת (H2520), transliterated as Chelqath or Helkath, functions primarily as a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location. It is identified as a derivative form of the more common noun חֶלְקָה (`{{H2513}}`). The root meaning of חֶלְקָה encompasses several semantic fields, including "smoothness," "flattery," "a portion," or "a tract of land/field." When applied to the place name Chelqath, the most probable underlying sense relates either to the physical characteristics of the land—suggesting a "smooth" or "level" terrain—or to its designation as a "portion" or "field" of land. Given its usage in the allocation of tribal territories, the latter interpretation, signifying a designated parcel of land, carries significant contextual weight, while the former might describe its topographical nature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Chelqath (H2520) appears twice in the Masoretic Text, both instances occurring within the book of Joshua, a pivotal text detailing the Israelite conquest and division of the Promised Land:
* **[[Joshua 19:25]]**: Here, Chelqath is listed as one of the cities within the tribal inheritance of Asher. The passage delineates the boundaries and cities allotted to the tribe, emphasizing the precise fulfillment of divine promise regarding the land. Its inclusion in this geographical catalog underscores its established presence and significance within the newly apportioned territories.
* **[[Joshua 21:31]]**: This verse identifies Chelqath as one of the four cities from the tribe of Asher that were designated as cities for the Gershonite clan of the Levites, along with their pasturelands. This designation highlights its role within the structured Levitical system, ensuring that the priestly tribe had settlements distributed throughout the land to fulfill their religious and administrative duties.
In both contexts, Chelqath is presented as an integral part of the divinely ordained land distribution, first as a city within a tribal inheritance and then specifically as a Levitical dwelling place. Its mention in these precise geographical and administrative lists underscores the meticulous organization of Israelite society under God's command.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical connection for H2520 is to its root form, חֶלְקָה (`{{H2513}}`). This base word carries a rich semantic range that informs the understanding of Chelqath:
* **Smoothness/Flattery**: While "smoothness" might describe the terrain of Chelqath, the sense of "flattery" (e.g., [[Psalm 5:9]], [[Psalm 12:2-3]]) is less directly applicable to the place name itself, though it derives from the same root notion of something being "smooth" or "slippery."
* **Portion/Share**: This meaning is highly relevant to Chelqath. As a "portion" or "share" (e.g., [[Genesis 14:24]], [[Ruth 2:3]]), the name subtly reinforces the idea of the land being a divinely allotted inheritance. The concept of "portion" is central to the distribution of land among the tribes and the provision for the Levites, who received no tribal inheritance but were given cities and pasturelands as their "portion" from the Lord.
* **Field/Tract of Land**: This meaning (e.g., [[Genesis 33:19]], [[Ruth 2:3]]) directly connects to the geographical nature of Chelqath as a designated area within the land of Canaan.
Concepts closely related to Chelqath's biblical usage include:
* **Inheritance (נַחֲלָה, `{{H5159}}`)**: The land of Canaan was God's promised inheritance to Israel. Chelqath, as a specific city within this inheritance, embodies this theological concept.
* **Tribal Allotments**: The detailed lists in Joshua reflect the fulfillment of God's covenant promises through the precise division of land among the twelve tribes.
* **Levitical Cities**: The designation of certain cities, including Chelqath, for the Levites emphasizes God's provision for those dedicated to His service and the decentralization of religious instruction throughout the land.
### Theological Significance
While Chelqath itself is a geographical marker, its theological significance is deeply embedded in the overarching narrative of God's faithfulness and covenant with Israel.
1. **Fulfillment of Promise**: The very existence of Chelqath as an Israelite city, particularly within the tribal inheritance of Asher, testifies to the meticulous fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land (e.g., [[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18]]). Each city named in Joshua's allocation lists serves as a tangible monument to divine veracity.
2. **Divine Order and Provision**: Its designation as a Levitical city underscores God's meticulous care for the spiritual and administrative well-being of His people. By providing cities like Chelqath for the Levites, God ensured that His priests and teachers were distributed throughout the land, accessible to all tribes for instruction in the Law and the performance of sacred duties. This arrangement reflects a divinely ordered society where every aspect, including land tenure, served a higher theological purpose.
3. **The "Portion" of God's People**: If the name Chelqath carries the nuance of "portion" or "share," it subtly reinforces the broader theological truth that God provides a "portion" for His people. For the Levites, their "portion" was the Lord Himself and the cities provided for them; for the tribes, their "portion" was the land itself, a gift from God. This speaks to God's generous and specific provision for His covenant people.
### Summary
Chelqath (H2520) is a Hebrew proper noun, transliterated as Helkath, referring to a specific city in ancient Palestine. Derived from the root חֶלְקָה (`{{H2513}}`), it carries the semantic potential of "smoothness" (perhaps describing terrain) or, more significantly in context, "a portion" or "a field." Biblically, it appears in [[Joshua 19:25]] as a city within the tribal inheritance of Asher and in [[Joshua 21:31]] as one of the cities allotted to the Gershonite Levites. Its significance lies not in its individual name, but in its role as a tangible marker of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises regarding the land of Israel. Chelqath's inclusion in the detailed land allotments and its status as a Levitical city underscore the divine order, provision, and meticulous organization of the Israelite nation under God's sovereign plan.
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