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חַלֻּק

𐤇𐤋𐤒

challuq

H2512 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root חלק to be smooth, to divide, to apportion

Definition

A garment, specifically an undergarment or tunic, worn next to the skin. In some contexts, the word may refer to a type of linen shirt or a basic article of clothing, rather than emphasizing the quality 'smooth.' The term does not refer generically to 'smoothness,' but to a particular item of clothing characterized by its smooth texture or fabric.

Semantic Range

undergarment, tunic, close-fitting garment, shirt (in later Hebrew); never simply 'smoothness' or the quality of being smooth (adjectival)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חלק (ḥ-l-q), which primarily means 'to be smooth, slippery.' The noun חַלֻּק (ḥalluq) represents a substantivized form, referring to a garment—likely named for its smooth texture or fabric. The relationship is one of transferred meaning from the root's physical quality (smoothness) to the textile's tactile property.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Though Strong's gloss associates חַלֻּק with the adjective 'smooth,' all biblical evidence indicates this word specifically refers to a simple garment, usually an undergarment or tunic, worn close to the skin—often made of smooth fabric. In post-biblical and later Hebrew usage, 'ḥalluq' remains the standard word for 'shirt' or 'undergarment.' The meaning in biblical and Second Temple periods remained focused on clothing and did not extend to generalized 'smoothness.' The English gloss 'smooth' confuses the noun with the root's adjectival sense. The word appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible and more often in later texts—most notably in rabbinic literature, where it designates a basic garment. The clothing term is distinct from the root adjective חלק 'smooth,' though they are etymologically related.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָלַק; smooth; smooth.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלק (ḥ-l-q) — to be smooth, 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
H2509 חָלָק smooth

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2512-01 חַלֻּקֵֽי chaluqey HAampc smooth smooth-tunics of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2512-01 1 Samuel 17:40 חַלֻּקֵֽי chaluqey HAampc smooth smooth-tunics of
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