Lexical Summary
chel: Rampart, fortress, army, strength, wealth
Original Word:חֵיל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:cheyl
Pronunciation:khale
Phonetic Spelling:(khale)
KJV: army, bulwark, host, + poor, rampart, trench, wall
NASB:rampart, ramparts, district, host, walls
Word Origin:[a collateral form ofH2428 (חַיִל - army)]
1. an army
2. (by analogy) an intrenchment
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
army, bulwark, host, poor, rampart, trench, wall
Or (shortened) chel {khale}; a collateral form ofchayil; an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment -- army, bulwark, host, + poor, rampart, trench, wall.
see HEBREWchayil
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chulDefinitionrampart, fortress
NASB Translationdistrict (1), host (1), rampart (3), ramparts (2), walls (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
,
Obadiah 20 (perhaps originally
surrounding wall, compare SabDenkm
91n. 2) — absolute
Nahum 3:8,
Lamentations 2:8 3t.;(+
Psalm 10:10 Qr see ); construct
1 Kings 21:23; suffix
Psalm 122:7,
Zechariah 9:4; =
Psalm 48:14, Ol
§ 40 approximately 75g. 96 e Sta
§ 347 c; —
rampart (defined by Jews as , i.e. a little wall, compare Ki under the word), of an outer fortification2 Samuel 20:15 (others, by metonymy, of space between outer and inner fortification, including moat, see Dr Kit);Isaiah 26:1;Lamentations 2:8 (both "" ); in General of defences, or sea-power of TyreZechariah 9:4 (see StaZAW i.1881, 15), of No-Amon (Thebes)Nahum 3:8; of ZionPsalm 122:7, alsoPsalm 48:14 ( = , compare above; both "" ). — For1 Kings 21:23 read probably , q. v.
fortress Obadiah 20the exiles of this fortress (Hi-St; Or, AV RVthis army, = ).
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Scriptural Occurrencesחֵיל (Strong’s H2426) denotes the fortified perimeter of a city—its rampart, outer wall, or bulwark. The term appears about twenty-seven times, mostly in the historical books, where it distinguishes the defensive earthworks or stone escarpments that encircle a larger “inner wall” (חֹמָה). Key examples include2 Samuel 20:15;1 Kings 3:1;1 Kings 9:15;1 Kings 11:27;2 Kings 25:4;2 Chronicles 32:5;Nehemiah 3:8;Psalm 48:13 andIsaiah 26:1.
Military and Architectural Function
In the ancient Near East every major city possessed two concentric lines of defense:
1. An inner load-bearing wall for day-to-day security.
2. An outer earthen or stone rampart (חֵיל) that absorbed the first shock of siege machinery.
Solomon strengthened Jerusalem’s “wall of Jerusalem” (1 Kings 3:1; 9:15) by expanding its חֵיל. Centuries later Hezekiah “rebuilt the walls that were broken down, erected towers on them, and built another wall outside” (2 Chronicles 32:5)—a clear reference to adding or repairing the חֵיל. Because siege ramps of the attacking army were often thrown against this outer barrier (2 Samuel 20:15), the חֵיל became the place where a city’s courage or collapse was first revealed.
Symbol of National Strength and Human Ingenuity
Several narratives connect the חֵיל with royal projects and forced labor (1 Kings 9:15–19;1 Kings 11:27). The rampart thus signified not only security but also political power and economic capacity. When Nebuchadnezzar breached Jerusalem, Scripture notes how King Zedekiah fled “through the gate between the two walls” (2 Kings 25:4), underscoring the futility of trusting mere masonry when the covenant with the LORD had been violated (cf.Isaiah 22:11).
Metaphorical and Theological Undercurrents
Hebrew poets use חֵיל figuratively. The sons of Korah invite pilgrims to “consider her ramparts” (Psalm 48:13) so that future generations might praise the steadfast love of God. Isaiah foresees a day when “We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as walls and ramparts” (Isaiah 26:1), turning the physical חֵיל into an image of divine deliverance. The transfer of the word from stonework to salvation anticipates the New Testament portrayal of the believer’s security in Christ (John 10:28–29;1 Peter 1:5).
Prophetic and Messianic Dimensions
Isaiah’s vision implies that any true and lasting חֵיל is God-made. The prophet looks beyond Judah’s crumbling fortifications to the Messiah’s kingdom, where “salvation” itself forms the eternal rampart. The New Jerusalem ofRevelation 21–22 fulfills this expectation: its walls are unbreachable, its gates never shut, and its citizens enjoy unbroken fellowship with God.
Practical Ministry Insights
• Relying on human defenses—whether political alliances, economic prowess, or personal ingenuity—offers only temporary protection. Ministry should therefore cultivate dependence on the LORD, not on “horses and chariots” (Psalm 20:7).
• Like Jerusalem’s visible חֵיל, the church’s doctrinal and moral boundaries must be maintained. Leaders are to “strengthen the things that remain” (Revelation 3:2) so that the faith community is not easily overrun by error.
•Psalm 48 suggests that instruction includes touring the ramparts—helping disciples trace past acts of divine faithfulness in order to foster present confidence. Testimony and remembrance are part of the church’s protective wall.
•Isaiah 26:1 encourages worship that celebrates salvation as our ultimate fortification. Every gathering is an opportunity to exalt Christ as the perfect and permanent חֵיל around His people.
Summary
חֵיל points first to the literal outer wall that protected Israelite cities but ultimately to the LORD Himself, who surrounds His covenant people with enduring salvation. The word’s Old Testament trajectory—from royal building projects and military engineering to prophetic imagery of redemption—reminds believers that God alone is the sure defense of every life, congregation, and nation.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּחֵ֣יל בְּחֵ֥יל בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ בַּחֵ֑ל בחיל בחילך בחל הַֽחֵל־ החל־ וְחֵיל֖וֹ וְחֵיל֙ וָחֵֽל׃ וחיל וחילו וחל׃ חֵ֖יל חֵ֣יל חֵ֣יל ׀ חֵ֥יל חֵ֥ל חֵ֨יל חֵיל֔וֹ חֵילִי֙ חֵילָֽם׃ חיל חילו חילי חילם׃ חל לְחֵילֽוֹ׃ לחילו׃ ba·ḥêl baChel baḥêl bə·ḥê·lêḵ bə·ḥêl beCheil becheiLech bəḥêl bəḥêlêḵ cheil cheiLam cheiLi cheiLo chel ha·ḥêl- hachel haḥêl- ḥê·lām ḥê·lî ḥê·lōw ḥêl ḥêlām ḥêlî ḥêlōw lə·ḥê·lōw lecheiLo ləḥêlōw vaChel veCheil vecheiLo wā·ḥêl wāḥêl wə·ḥê·lōw wə·ḥêl wəḥêl wəḥêlōw
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