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חַד

𐤇𐤃

chad

H2298 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root חד to be one, to be single, to be unique

Definition

A cardinal number 'one,' used to denote singularity, unity, or individuality. As an adjective or pronoun, it refers to a single person or thing, or the first in a sequence. In some syntactic forms, functions as an indefinite article ('a' or 'an') or as an adverb meaning 'once' or 'at the same time.'

Semantic Range

one (numeral), a single, first (ordinal), one and the same, a (indefinite article), at once (adverbial), together, once

Root / Etymology

From the root חד (ח-ד), meaning 'to be one, single, unique.' This Aramaic term is cognate with the Hebrew אחד (ʾechad), but is formed according to Aramaic morphological patterns. The word is attested across Aramaic dialects.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חַד is used almost exclusively in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably in Daniel and Ezra) to indicate the number 'one' or a single unit, and also functions as an indefinite article — a grammatical development not present in Classical Hebrew, but common in Aramaic. Its usage sometimes signals issues of individuality or uniqueness (e.g., חֲדָא נִשָּׁא 'one woman'), but may also serve as an indefinite 'a' (e.g., חַד אִנָּשׁ 'a man'). In compound forms or set expressions it may mean 'once, at one time,' or 'together.' English translations may variously render it as 'one,' 'a,' or 'first' depending on syntactical context. Unlike the Hebrew אחד (ʾechad), חַד (chad) is not used for theological assertions of unity or oneness (e.g., Deut 6:4), nor does it carry the ritual or philosophical connotations present in some Hebrew uses. The presence of חַד in biblical Aramaic reflects dialectal features of Northwest Semitic languages during the Persian and post-exilic periods, when Aramaic served as a lingua franca in the region. In later Jewish Aramaic, it retains similar meanings. English translations sometimes collapse its different senses into a generic 'one,' which can obscure context-specific nuances, particularly its use as an indefinite article or as an adverbial 'at once.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to חַד; as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once; a, first, one, together.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חד (ḥ-d) — oneness, singleness, uniqueness

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2298-02 חֲדָה chadah AAcfsa one one 8
H2298-01 חַד֙ chad AAcmsa one one 5
H2298-03 כַ/חֲדָ֡ה khachadah AR/Acfsa together one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2298-02 Daniel 2:9 חֲדָה chadah AAcfsa one one
H2298-01 Daniel 2:31 חַד֙ chad AAcmsa a one
H2298-03 Daniel 2:35 כַ/חֲדָ֡ה khachadah AR/Acfsa together one
H2298-01 Daniel 3:19 חַ֨ד chad AAcmsa one one
H2298-02 Daniel 4:16 חֲדָ֔ה chadah AAcfsa one one
H2298-01 Daniel 6:3 חַֽד chad AAcmsa one one
H2298-02 Daniel 6:18 חֲדָ֔ה chadah ANcfsa one one
H2298-02 Daniel 7:1 חֲדָ֗ה chadah AAcfsa first one
H2298-01 Daniel 7:5 חַד֙ chad AAcmsa one one
H2298-01 Daniel 7:16 חַד֙ chad AAomsa one one
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