חַ֖יִל
𐤇𐤉𐤋
Chayil
of valor
The primary lexical meaning of חַיִל (chayil) is 'strength' or 'capacity,' often manifested in contexts of military power, competence, or material resources. It denotes the quality or state of being strong, effective, or capable, whether in physical, social, or economic domains. In specific contexts, it can refer to military forces (army, host), personal valor or heroism, moral worthiness, or material wealth and substance.
kayila "strength, power" (Umbundu) · kayila "strength, ability" (Chokwe) · kayila "strength, power" (Kimbundu) +1 more2 Kings 5:1 · Word #22
Lexicon H2428
| Lemma | חַיִל |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤇𐤉𐤋 |
| Transliteration | Chayil |
| Strong's | H2428 |
| Definition | The primary lexical meaning of חַיִל (chayil) is 'strength' or 'capacity,' often manifested in contexts of military power, competence, or material resources. It denotes the quality or state of being strong, effective, or capable, whether in physical, social, or economic domains. In specific contexts, it can refer to military forces (army, host), personal valor or heroism, moral worthiness, or material wealth and substance. |
Morphology HNcmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | of valor |
SIBI-P1 Translation H2428-04
strength
| Morphological Notes | Masculine singular common noun, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun חַיִל derives from the root חיל, conveying the state or quality of being strong or capable. As a masculine singular absolute noun, "strength" preserves the core abstract sense from which military force, wealth, and valor conceptually extend. |
View full lexicon entry for H2428 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
of valor
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | 'Strength' (P1) does not capture the contextual nuance of 'chayil' referring to valor or excellence, especially following 'mighty man'. 'Of valor' clarifies the specific type of might intended, matching the construct chain and SILEX definition usage for people. |
Bantu Hebrew
חַ֖יִל (Chayil) — The primary lexical meaning of חַיִל (chayil) is 'strength' or 'capacity,' often manifested in contexts of military power, competence, or material resources. It denotes the quality or state of being strong, effective, or capable, whether in physical, social, or economic domains. In specific contexts, it can refer to military forces (army, host), personal valor or heroism, moral worthiness, or material wealth and substance.