Lexical Summary
hekal: temple, nave, palace
Original Word:הֵיכָל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:heykal
Pronunciation:hay-KAHL
Phonetic Spelling:(hay-kawl')
KJV: palace, temple
NASB:temple, nave, palace, palaces, court, temples
Word Origin:[probably fromH3201 (יָכוֹל יָכוֹל - able) (in the sense of capacity)]
1. a large public building, such as a palace or temple
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
palace, temple
Probably fromyakol (in the sense of capacity); a large public building, such as a palace or temple -- palace, temple.
see HEBREWyakol
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitiona palace, temple
NASB Translationcourt (1), nave (14), palace (7), palaces (4), temple (53), temples (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Nah 2:7 (on
Isaiah 44:28 compare Che Di) (see also Late Hebrew
id. temple, Aramaic , ,
,
palace, temple, Palmyrene
temple Vog
16; compare Arabic
(probably Aramaic loan-word according to Frä
274), Ethiopic
temple; Assyrian
ekallu,
palace, temple; — probably loan-word from Akkadian
e-gal,
great house, compare Schr
HI 148 COT
2 Kings 20:18 Hpt
E-vowel 11 f. Lehmann
Šamaššumukîn 126, and on usage Dl
338; > from () =
contain Ew
§ 162 b Thes Add
84; compare Ol
§ 191 b Hoffm
AGG xxxvi. Mai 1889:25 Dl
w; from an original Lag
BN 121, but compare Hom
ZMG 1890.547) absolute
Amos 8:3 27t. (
1 Kings 6:17 +); construct
Micah 1:2 35t.; suffix
Psalm 48:10 2t.;
Jeremiah 50:28 7t.; plural
Hosea 8:14; construct
Isaiah 13:22 2t.; suffix Joel 4:5; — never in Hexateuch, rarely in Samuel & pre-exile prophets; especially frequently in Ki Ezekiel & late prophets, also Chronicles; occasionally in Psalms; —
. (royal)palace (so almost always in Assyrian); of Ahab1 Kings 21:1, of king of Babylon2 Kings 20:18 =Isaiah 38:17; 2Chronicles 36:7, compareDaniel 1:4, and pluralIsaiah 13:22luxurious palaces; at NinevehNahum 2:7; not clearly defined arePsalm 45:16 andPsalm 45:9;Hosea 8:14 (in Northern Israel); see alsoAmos 8:3and palace-songs shall be howlings in that day; compare also (probably) of Phoenician palaces Joel 4:5; quite General ,Proverbs 30:28, &Psalm 144:12 (simile of well-proportioned daughters); — usual term for royal palace in Hebrew is , see .
, =house of God orof ,temple (compareIsaiah 6:1 below where prophet sees ):
1 Samuel 1:9;1 Samuel 3:3 (=1 Samuel 1:7;1 Samuel 3:15;1 Samuel 2:22 omitted by We Klo Dr) with doors (,1 Samuel 3:15) & a doorpost (1 Samuel 1:9) (compare2 Samuel 22:7 =Psalm 18:7 below).
: specifically thehall ornave of the temple (the holy place, distinguished from the the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, and with this included in the more General term or ,1 Kings 6:1,2+ often)1 Kings 6:17 (compare1 Kings 6:19;1 Kings 6:20 &1 Kings 6:2) also1 Kings 6:5;1 Kings 6:33;1 Kings 7:50 2Chronicles 4:22; further 2 Chronicles 4:7,8;Ezekiel 8:16 (twice in verse)1 Kings 6:3;1 Kings 7:21 "" 2Chronicles 3:17;2 Kings 18:16; also in wide sense (apparently = ),2 Kings 23:4;2 Kings 24:13 ("" ),Jeremiah 7:4 (3 t. in verse) (""Jeremiah 7:2),Jeremiah 24:1 see alsoJeremiah 50:28;Jeremiah 51:11 (both "" ); 2 Chronicles 26:16; 27:2, compare 2 Chronicles 29:16 ("" ; opposed to ), in all three .
hall ornave of Ezekiel's temple, the holy place (see above) (included in , the General term embracing the whole group of buildings)Ezekiel 41:1,4,15,21,23,25 (compareEzekiel 41:20)Ezekiel 42:8.
nd temple,Zechariah 8:9 ("" ); oftenerHaggai 2:15,18;Zechariah 6:12,13,14,15;Ezra 3:6,10,Malachi 3:1;Psalm 27:4;Ezra 4:1;Nehemiah 6:10 (twice in verse) ("" ),Nehemiah 6:11;Isaiah 44:28, compare alsoIsaiah 66:6. — occurs occasionally in Psalms, without conclusive evidence, in all cases, to what temple reference is had; apparently distinguished from (as below )Psalm 5:8 (; seePsalm 5:7); perhaps alsoPsalm 68:30 (distinguished from Holy of Holies by De Che; yet verse obscure); but no distinction evidentPsalm 79:1;Psalm 138:2;Jonah 2:5;Jonah 2:8 (all ); comparePsalm 65:5 ("" ); as containing the worshipping assemblyPsalm 48:10.
sits enthronedIsaiah 6:1; his abode in the heavens2 Samuel 22:7 =Psalm 18:7;Psalm 11:4 ("" ; compareIsaiah 63:15, ""id.),Isaiah 29:9;Micah 1:2, compareHabakkuk 2:20 .
Topical Lexicon
Scope of the Word in Scriptureהֵיכָל appears roughly eighty times, spanning historical narrative, poetry, prophecy, and apocalyptic vision. Its contexts range from Solomon’s physical structure in Jerusalem (for example,1 Kings 6:5;2 Kings 24:13) to the heavenly dwelling of the Lord (Psalm 11:4;Habakkuk 2:20). The term thus embraces both earthly architecture and transcendent reality, binding together visible worship and unseen glory.
The Solomonic Temple
In the books of Kings and Chronicles הֵיכָל serves as a key designation for the sanctuary proper—the rectangular “main hall” that followed the porch and preceded the Most Holy Place. It was here that the golden altar of incense, the table for the bread of the Presence, and the lampstands were set in ordered symmetry (1 Kings 7:48). The vocabulary underscores the covenantal purpose of the structure: a divinely ordained meeting place between God and His people. When Jehoiakim stripped the articles of gold, the historian laments that he “cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD” (2 Kings 24:13), emphasizing both sacrilege and national judgment.
Decline, Exile, and Prophetic Warning
Jeremiah repeatedly warns that confident cries of “The temple of the LORD” (Jeremiah 7:4) cannot shield Judah from covenant curses. הֵיכָל becomes a tragic symbol: a house rendered desolate when the people will not heed the Word delivered within its courts (Jeremiah 7:14). Ezekiel, already in exile, is shown the departure of the glory from the temple (Ezekiel 8:16; 10:4) and later the vision of a restored sanctuary measuring far grander than Solomon’s (Ezekiel 40–48), assuring that divine presence, once forfeited, will yet return in purity.
Second Temple Usage and Renewed Hope
After the exile, the rebuilt house is again called הֵיכָל (Ezra 3:6;Haggai 2:9). Though modest compared with Solomon’s, Scripture affirms that “the glory of this latter house will be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9), a promise that ultimately reaches beyond Herodian renovations to the coming of Messiah Himself, who taught daily within its precincts (Luke 19:47) and in His body fulfilled everything the earthly structure prefigured (John 2:19–21).
Heavenly Sanctuary
Several psalms and prophets extend the word heavenward: “The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne” (Psalm 11:4). The pairing of temple and throne conveys simultaneous intimacy and sovereignty: worshipers draw near, yet the enthroned King rules all creation. Habakkuk echoes, “The LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20), linking reverence on earth to the reality of celestial worship.
Symbolic and Prophetic Dimensions
1. Moral purity: Isaiah pictures seraphim proclaiming “Holy, holy, holy” around the throne-temple (Isaiah 6:1–3). Human lips must be cleansed with fire from this altar to serve.
2. Cosmic stability:Psalm 18:6 views the heavens and earth quaking when God speaks from His temple, portraying covenant faithfulness that shakes empires.
3. Eschatological peace: Zechariah forecasts a time when all nations will ascend to Jerusalem to worship the King (Zechariah 14:16). הֵיכָל, therefore, becomes a locus of future reconciliation.
Liturgical Resonance
Throughout the Psalter, the word summons worship: “I will bow down toward Your holy temple in reverent awe of You” (Psalm 5:7). Even when the edifice lay in ruins, exiles prayed facing the site (Daniel 6:10), demonstrating confidence that God’s gracious name remained there. The term grounds the rhythms of sacrifice, song, prayer, and festival in a specific place chosen by God.
Christological Fulfillment
Jesus declares Himself greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6) and pronounces judgment on its corruption (Matthew 21:13). At His death, the veil was torn (Matthew 27:51), signifying immediate access to God through His once-for-all sacrifice. Hebrews develops the theme: Christ ministers “in the true tabernacle set up by the Lord” (Hebrews 8:2), entering the heavenly הֵיכָל not with animal blood but with His own, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11–12).
Continuing Ministry in the Church
Believers are now “being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). The corporate body becomes a living temple, yet the full reality awaits: “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22). Thus the word that once pointed to cedar and gold now directs faith to the incarnate Son and the consummated Kingdom.
Summary
הֵיכָל traces a canonical arc from Solomon’s golden sanctuary to the final New Jerusalem. It witnesses to God’s desire to dwell among His people, His intolerance of idolatry, His readiness to restore, and His ultimate purpose fulfilled in Christ. Earthly structures, heavenly visions, and redeemed community all converge in this word, calling every generation to worship the Holy One “in spirit and in truth” while anticipating the day His dwelling is fully and forever with mankind.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּֽהֵ֘יכַ֤ל בְּהֵ֣יכְלֵי בְּהֵ֣יכַל בְּהֵיכַ֖ל בְּהֵיכַ֣ל בְּהֵיכַ֥ל בְּהֵיכָל֖וֹ בְּהֵיכָלֽוֹ׃ בַּֽהֵיכָ֔ל בהיכל בהיכלו בהיכלו׃ בהיכלי הֵ֥יכְלֵי הֵֽיכַל־ הֵֽיכָל֔וֹת הֵיכַ֖ל הֵיכַ֣ל הֵיכַ֤ל הֵיכַ֥ל הֵיכַ֪ל הֵיכָ֔ל הֵיכָֽל׃ הֵיכָל֙ הֵיכָל֜וֹ הֵיכָלֶֽךָ׃ הֵיכָלֽוֹ׃ הַֽהֵיכָ֑ל הַֽהֵיכָ֖ל הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל הַֽהֵיכָל֙ הַׅהֵׅיׅכָֽׅלׅ׃ הַהֵיכָ֑ל הַהֵיכָ֔ל הַהֵיכָ֖ל הַהֵיכָ֥ל הַהֵיכָֽל׃ ההיכל ההיכל׃ היכל היכל־ היכל׃ היכלו היכלו׃ היכלות היכלי היכלך׃ וְהֵיכַ֥ל וְהֵיכָ֖ל וְהַֽהֵיכָ֖ל וְהַֽהֵיכָל֙ וּבְהֵיכָל֑וֹ ובהיכלו וההיכל והיכל לְהֵיכְלֵיכֶֽם׃ לַֽהֵיכָ֖ל לַהֵיכָ֖ל להיכל להיכליכם׃ מֵֽ֭הֵיכָלֶךָ מֵֽהֵיכָ֑ל מֵהֵֽיכָלוֹ֙ מֵהֵיכַ֣ל מֵהֵיכַ֥ל מֵהֵיכָל֣וֹ מהיכל מהיכלו מהיכלך ba·hê·ḵāl baheiChal bahêḵāl bə·hê·ḵā·lōw bə·hê·ḵal bə·hê·ḵə·lê beheiChal beheichaLo beHeichelei bəhêḵal bəhêḵālōw bəhêḵəlê ha·hê·ḵāl haheiChal hahêḵāl hê·ḵā·le·ḵā hê·ḵā·lō·wṯ hê·ḵā·lōw hê·ḵal hê·ḵāl hê·ḵal- hê·ḵə·lê heiChal heichaLecha heichaLo heichaLot Heichlei hêḵal hêḵāl hêḵal- hêḵāleḵā hêḵālōw hêḵālōwṯ hêḵəlê la·hê·ḵāl laheiChal lahêḵāl lə·hê·ḵə·lê·ḵem leheicheleiChem ləhêḵəlêḵem mê·hê·ḵā·le·ḵā mê·hê·ḵā·lōw mê·hê·ḵal mê·hê·ḵāl meheiChal Meheichalcha meheichaLo mêhêḵal mêhêḵāl mêhêḵāleḵā mêhêḵālōw ū·ḇə·hê·ḵā·lōw ūḇəhêḵālōw uveheichaLo vehaheiChal veheiChal wə·ha·hê·ḵāl wə·hê·ḵal wə·hê·ḵāl wəhahêḵāl wəhêḵal wəhêḵāl
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