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חָלָק

𐤇𐤋𐤒

châlâq

H2509 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root חלק to be smooth, to divide, to apportion

Definition

Smooth, in reference to texture or surface (e.g., skin, stones); also, figuratively, smoothness of speech, denoting flattery, insincere praise, or cunning language aimed at persuasion or deception. The word may describe both physical smoothness and metaphorical smoothness, such as flattering or duplicitous speech.

Semantic Range

smooth (of skin, stone, or surfaces), smooth in speech, flattering, persuasive, duplicitous, deceptive, insincere praise

Root / Etymology

From the root חלק, meaning 'to be smooth, to divide, to apportion.' The noun חָלָק is a derivation denoting quality ('smoothness') or the state of being smooth. Root differs from the more common sense of 'dividing' (see חֵלֶק) but shares the core sense of smoothness or slipperiness, thus yielding senses related to both physical and figurative slipperiness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, חָלָק is used both literally and figuratively. Literally, it is used to describe smooth objects—typically surfaces free of hair (e.g., skin in Gen 27:11 describing Jacob and Esau) or stones (Isa 57:6, often connected to pagan ritual practice). Figuratively, it characterizes speech that is persuasive, insincere, or deceptive; 'smooth words' alludes to rhetoric designed to mislead or flatter (Ps 5:10; Ps 12:3; Prov 5:3). Over time, the figurative sense became prominent as a denotation of manipulation or false praise. English translations often render these uses as 'flattering,' 'smooth,' or 'deceptive'; however, 'smooth' can miss the aspect of intentional cunning carried in some contexts. In Second Temple and later Hebrew, related roots continue in this dual sense of smoothness and seductive speech. The term is distinct from other words for flattery (such as חנף or לקק), as it carries a focus on the character of smoothness rather than explicit hypocrisy or obsequiousness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָלַק; smooth (especially of tongue); flattering, smooth.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלק (ḥ-l-q) — to be smooth, smoothness, slipperiness, to divide, to apportion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2505 חָלַק I will apportion
H2506 חֵלֶק in allotted portion of
H2507 חֵלֶק allotted portion
H2508 חֲלָק smooth
H2510 חָלָק Halak

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2509-01 חָלָֽק chalaq HAamsa flattering smooth 3
H2509-02 וְ/חָלָ֖ק vechalaq HC/Aamsa and smoother and smooth 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2509-01 Genesis 27:11 חָלָֽק chalaq HAamsa smooth smooth
H2509-01 Ezekiel 12:24 חָלָ֑ק chalaq HAamsa flattering smooth
H2509-02 Proverbs 5:3 וְ/חָלָ֖ק vechalaq HC/Aamsa and smoother and smooth
H2509-01 Proverbs 26:28 חָ֝לָ֗ק chalaq HAamsa flattering smooth
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