חֹלֶד
𐤇𐤋𐤃
chôled
H2467 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small, carnivorous mammal, most likely a member of the mustelid family, such as a weasel or similar creature. Used to denote an animal that is swift, elusive, and active in burrows or crevices. The term is found primarily in Leviticus among the list of unclean animals, indicating an animal whose consumption was forbidden according to Israelite dietary regulations. Its precise zoological identification is uncertain, but context suggests an animal similar in appearance and habits to known weasels, ermines, or possibly ferrets in later descriptions.
Semantic Range
weasel, small gliding or slinking mammal, possibly ferret or similar animal
Root / Etymology
From the root ח-ל-ד (חלד), which carries the underlying sense of 'to glide' or 'to slide,' likely referencing the animal's slinking or gliding movement. The same root as חֶלֶד (cheled, 'world', 'lifetime'), though in this case the relationship is primarily phonetic rather than semantic; cheled as 'world/lifetime' is distinct in sense. The derivation here focuses on the animal's motion.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֹלֶד occurs only in Leviticus 11:29, within a list of animals considered impure for Israelites. Its exact identification is debated; traditional sources (such as the Septuagint and later rabbinic texts) generally translate or equate it with 'weasel' or similar small, agile, burrowing mammals. The precise taxonomy is unclear, as ancient Hebrew animal names do not always align exactly with modern species. While English translations and commentaries often use 'weasel,' it is essential to note this is a best approximation based on both ancient translation traditions and the description of the animal's behavior. The word does not overlap in meaning with חֶלֶד in the sense of 'world' or 'lifetime.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as חֶלֶד; a weasel (from its gliding motion); weasel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלד (ḥ-l-d) — to glide, slip, slink, slide
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2465 | חֶלֶד | fleeting life-span |
| H2466 | חֵלֶד | Heled |
| H2468 | חֻלְדָּה | Huldah |
| H2469 | חֶלְדַּי | Cheldai |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2467-01 |
הַ/חֹ֥לֶד | hacholed | HTd/Ncmsa |
the mole | the slinking-weasel | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2467-01 |
Leviticus 11:29 | הַ/חֹ֥לֶד | hacholed | HTd/Ncmsa |
the mole | the slinking-weasel |