חָלָץ
𐤇𐤋𐤑
châlâts
H2504 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The area of the body known as the loins, specifically the region of the hips or the lower back and sides around the pelvis. In biblical contexts, often used in dual form to refer to both sides or 'loins' together as the anatomical seat of strength, vitality, and procreative power. Figuratively, can denote the source of descendants (offspring) or vigor.
Semantic Range
loins, hips, sides of the lower back; the seat of physical strength or vigor; source of offspring or descendants; metaphorical reference to power or readiness
Root / Etymology
From the root חלץ, whose core meaning is 'to draw off, draw out, equip, gird.' The noun חָלָץ is formed from this root, denoting that which is 'drawn out' or 'projecting,' referring anatomically to the hips/loins, recognized as a locus of bodily strength.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָלָץ appears exclusively in the dual form (חֲלָצָיִם) in the Hebrew Bible, underscoring the paired anatomical sense (the two flanks or sides). In expressions such as 'from the loins of,' it signifies descent or lineage—the physical origin of offspring—particularly in genealogies. The loins were associated with strength, manhood, or generative power in ancient Near Eastern context, and with readiness for action (as in 'girding the loins'). This word differs from related terms such as מָתְנַיִם (matnayim), another word for 'loins,' which may be more general or poetic in use. English translations often render חָלָץ as 'loins,' but this may obscure the specific cultural and anatomical associations present for the original audience.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָלַץ (in the sense of strength); only in the dual; the loins (as the seat of vigor); loins, reins.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלץ (ḥ-l-ṣ) — draw off, draw out, equip, gird
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2488 | חֲלִיצָה | his battle-armor |
| H2502 | חָלַץ | I will draw him out |
| H2503 | חֶלֶץ | Helez |
| H4254 | מַחֲלָצָה | the changeable garments |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2504-02 |
חֲלָצָ֔י/ו | chalatsayv | HNcbdc/Sp3ms |
his-loins | his loins | 4 |
H2504-05 |
מֵ/חֲלָצֶ֥י/ךָ | mechalatseykha | HR/Ncbdc/Sp2ms |
from your loins | from your loins | 3 |
H2504-03 |
חֲלָצֶ֑י/ךָ | chalatseykha | HNcbdc/Sp2ms |
your loins | your loins | 2 |
H2504-01 |
חֲלָצָֽיִם | chalatsayim | HNcbda |
your loins | loins | 1 |
H2504-04 |
חלצ/ו | chltsv | HNcbdc/Sp3ms |
his loins | his loins | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2504-05 |
Genesis 35:11 | מֵ/חֲלָצֶ֥י/ךָ | mechalatseykha | HR/Ncbdc/Sp2ms |
from your loins | from your loins |
H2504-05 |
1 Kings 8:19 | מֵ/חֲלָצֶ֔י/ךָ | mechalatseykha | HR/Ncbdc/Sp2ms |
out of your loins | from your loins |
H2504-02 |
Isaiah 5:27 | חֲלָצָ֔י/ו | chalatsayv | HNcbdc/Sp3ms |
of his loins | his loins |
H2504-02 |
Isaiah 11:5 | חֲלָצָֽי/ו | chalatsayv | HNcbdc/Sp3ms |
of his waist | his loins |
H2504-01 |
Isaiah 32:11 | חֲלָצָֽיִם | chalatsayim | HNcbda |
your loins | loins |
H2504-02 |
Jeremiah 30:6 | חֲלָצָי/ו֙ | chalatsayv | HNcbdc/Sp3ms |
his-loins | his loins |
H2504-04 |
Job 31:20 | חלצ/ו | chltsv | HNcbdc/Sp3ms |
his loins | his loins |
H2504-02 |
Job 31:20 | חֲלָצָ֑י/ו | chalatsayv | HNcbdc/Sp3ms |
his loins | his loins |
H2504-03 |
Job 38:3 | חֲלָצֶ֑י/ךָ | chalatseykha | HNcbdc/Sp2ms |
your loins | your loins |
H2504-03 |
Job 40:7 | חֲלָצֶ֑י/ךָ | chalatseykha | HNcbdc/Sp2ms |
your loins | your loins |