חַיִל
𐤇𐤉𐤋
chayil
H2429 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The word refers primarily to strength, might, or capability, with extended senses including military force or an army, wealth or resources, and valor or competence in both martial and non-martial contexts. In some contexts, it designates material resources or capability (such as wealth), and in others, it refers to the collective power of an organized force (an army), or the moral and physical qualities of an individual (valor, competence, efficiency).
Semantic Range
strength, might, ability, efficiency, wealth, resources, army, military force, valor, competence, virtue
Root / Etymology
From the root חָיָל (ח-י-ל), which carries core meanings of 'to be strong, to be capable, to endure.' The noun form חַיִל develops from this root and signifies not only the abstract quality of strength or might, but also its concrete manifestations in terms of organized force (military), material capability (wealth), or moral and practical effectiveness (valor, virtue).
Historical & Contextual Notes
חַיִל as an Aramaic term is found primarily in the exilic and post-exilic portions of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel and Ezra, where it corresponds directly to the Hebrew חַיִל. In these contexts, it most commonly refers to a military force or army, but it can also denote resources or wealth. The semantic range of the term broadened over time from the concrete (army, wealth) to include abstract qualities (valor, efficiency). English translations often render חַיִל as 'might,' 'army,' 'wealth,' or 'valor' depending on context, but none fully capture its wide semantic range. The word is distinct from other Hebrew terms for military force such as צָבָא (tsâbâ’), which focuses on an organized host or service, and sometimes overlapping with עֹשֶׁר (’ōsher, wealth) or גְּבוּרָה (gevurah, strength, heroism), but its breadth includes both material and moral strength. While the Greek 'dynamis' and Latin 'virtus' are sometimes used to translate it, these only partially reflect its usage. In post-biblical literature, חַיִל became associated with specific virtues and later with wealth or influence, helping shape the interpretive traditions surrounding its meaning.
Translation Consistency
chayil's primary semantic range is strength/might/capability. "Strength" is natural, broadly covers physical power, military force (the strength of an army), resources or capacity, and metaphorical valor or competence, and therefore provides a consistent, idiomatic base for all occurrences while allowing context to specify narrower senses (e.g. army, wealth, valor).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to חַיִל; an army, or strength; aloud, army, [idiom] most (mighty), power.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
חיל (Chayil) — to be strong, to have strength, to be capable
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2428 | חַיִל | in strength |
| H2430 | חֵילָה | to her rampart |
| H2431 | חֵילָם | toward Strength-Place |
| H2432 | חִילֵן | Strength-Place |
| H2497 | חֵלֹן | Chelon |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2429-05 |
בְ/חָ֑יִל | vechayil | AR/Ncmsa |
and power | strength | and strength | 3 |
H2429-01 |
בְּ/חַ֔יִל | bechayil | AR/Ncmsa |
with force | in strength | with strength | 1 |
H2429-02 |
בְּ/חֵ֣יל | becheyl | AR/Ncmsc |
in army | with strength | in the host | 1 |
H2429-03 |
חַ֨יִל֙ | chayil | ANcmsa |
of valor | strength | valor | 1 |
H2429-04 |
בְ/חַיְלֵ֔/הּ | vechayeleh | AR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in his army | in his strength | his army | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2429-05 |
Daniel 3:4 | בְ/חָ֑יִל | vechayil | AR/Ncmsa |
in-force | strength | and strength |
H2429-03 |
Daniel 3:20 | חַ֨יִל֙ | chayil | ANcmsa |
of valor | strength | valor |
H2429-04 |
Daniel 3:20 | בְ/חַיְלֵ֔/הּ | vechayeleh | AR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in his army | in his strength | his army |
H2429-05 |
Daniel 4:11 | בְ/חַ֜יִל | vechayil | AR/Ncmsa |
with-strength | strength | with strength |
H2429-02 |
Daniel 4:32 | בְּ/חֵ֣יל | becheyl | AR/Ncmsc |
in army | with strength | in the host |
H2429-01 |
Daniel 5:7 | בְּ/חַ֔יִל | bechayil | AR/Ncmsa |
with force | in strength | with strength |
H2429-05 |
Ezra 4:23 | וְ/חָֽיִל | vechayil | AC/Ncmsa |
and power | strength | and strength |