Lexical Summary
chayil: strength, valor, army, wealth, capability
Original Word:חַיִל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:chayil
Pronunciation:khah'-yil
Phonetic Spelling:(khah'-yil)
KJV: able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+)valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily)
NASB:army, valiant, wealth, valor, forces, strength, riches
Word Origin:[fromH2342 (חוּל חִיל - To twist)]
1. probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources
2. an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
able, activity, army, band of men soldiers, company, great forces, goods, host,
Fromchuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength -- able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+)valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily).
see HEBREWchuwl
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chulDefinitionstrength, efficiency, wealth, army
NASB Translationable (5), armies (3), army (82), army* (1), capability (1), capable (3), elite army (1), excellence (1), excellent (2), forces (12), full (1), goods (1), great (1), might (1), mighty (1), nobly (1), power (2), retinue (2), riches (9), strength (10), strong (2), substance (1), troops (2), valiant (41), valiant* (4), valiantly (6), valor (18), very powerful (1), warriors (1), wealth (25), wealthy (1), worthy (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
2442Kings 10:2 ; — absolute
Genesis 47:6 +,
Psalm 60:14 +,
Psalm 60:14 +,
Isaiah 36:2;
2 Kings 18:17; construct
Exodus 14:28 + (on
Psalm 10:10 see ); suffix
Job 31:25 2t.;
Jeremiah 15:13 +;
Exodus 14:4 +, etc.; plural
1 Chronicles 7:5 19t.; suffix
Isaiah 30:6; —
strength, usually physical:
(chiefly in poetry)1 Samuel 2:4;Psalm 18:33, 40 =2 Samuel 22:33,40; alsoJob 21:7, compareEcclesiastes 10:10;Psalm 84:8; 2Chronicles 26:13; of virilityProverbs 31:3; of s powerPsalm 59:12;Psalm 110:3, compareHabakkuk 3:19; strength of horsePsalm 33:17; figurative of product of vine and fig-treeJoel 2:22 ("" ).
achieve might =do valiantlyNumbers 24:18 (JE),1 Samuel 14:48;Psalm 60:14 =Psalm 108:14;Psalm 118:15,16.
often in phrases ,hero(es) of strength, mighty man (men) of valourJoshua 1:14 (D),Joshua 6:2;Joshua 8:3;Joshua 10:7 (all J E),Judges 6:12;Judges 11:1;1 Samuel 9:1;1 Samuel 16:18;1 Kings 11:28;2 Kings 5:1;2 Kings 15:20;2 Kings 24:14,16;1 Chronicles 5:24;1 Chronicles 7:2,9;1 Chronicles 8:40 #NAME?1 Chronicles 28:1; also 2Chronicles 13:3 ("" );1 Chronicles 7:5,7,11,40;1 Chronicles 11:26 (see also , p. 150); ,Deuteronomy 3:18;Judges 18:2 + (see
, p. 121); ,Judges 3:29;Judges 20:44;Judges 20:46;1 Samuel 31:12;1 Samuel 11:16;2 Samuel 23:20 (Qr; Kt , on phrase compare Dr) =1 Chronicles 11:22 (Kt ),2 Samuel 24:9;Nahum 2:4;Jeremiah 48:15;1 Chronicles 10:12;Nehemiah 11:6;Psalm 76:6; ironicalIsaiah 5:22 = ("" );Ecclesiastes 12:3 metaphor of legs.
ability, efficiency, often involving moral worthGenesis 47:6 (J),Exodus 18:21,25 (both E); of a womanProverbs 12:4;Proverbs 31:10;Ruth 3:11; compare1 Kings 1:42,52 (opposed to ), and especiallyExodus 18:21(E);Proverbs 31:29do worthily, efficiently, perhaps alsoRuth 4:11; late (with weakened meaning of )1 Chronicles 9:13, compare1 Chronicles 26:8. So also1 Samuel 10:26 (read , see We Dr,men of worth, opposed to1 Samuel 10:27) forforce, band.
wealthGenesis 34:29 =Numbers 31:9 (both P),Deuteronomy 8:17,18;Deuteronomy 33:11;Isaiah 8:4;Isaiah 10:14;Isaiah 30:6 ("" ),Isaiah 60:5 ("" )Isaiah 60:11;Isaiah 61:6;Micah 4:13;Jeremiah 15:13;Jeremiah 17:3 (both "" ),Zephaniah 1:13;Ezekiel 26:12;Ezekiel 28:4,5 (twice in verse);Zechariah 14:14;Job 5:5;Job 15:29;Job 20:15,18;Job 31:25;Psalm 49:7;Psalm 49:11;Psalm 62:11;Psalm 73:12;Proverbs 13:22.
force, army, very oftenExodus 14:4,9,17,28 (all P),Exodus 15:4 (song),1 Samuel 17:20;2 Samuel 8:9;2 Kings 6:4,15;2 Kings 25:1,5 (twice in verse);2 Kings 25:10; 2Chronicles 13:3 (), 2 Chron 14:7; 2 Chronicles 16:7; 23:14 +; so usually Jeremiah:Jeremiah 32:2;Jeremiah 34:1 +; frequently Ezekiel:Ezekiel 17:17;Ezekiel 27:10 +;Daniel 11:7,13,25 (twice in verse);Daniel 11:26; =a band1 Samuel 10:26 (, but see
,adfin.); of train of Queen of Sheba1 Kings 10:2 2Chronicles 9:1;Isaiah 36:1 =2 Kings 18:17a powerful army (on form compare Sta§ 194 c); also (late)1 Chronicles 20:1; 2Chronicles 26:13,Esther 8:11;Daniel 11:10;2 Samuel 24:2 =captain of the host,2 Samuel 24:4;2 Samuel 24:4;captains of armies (bands, divisions)1 Kings 15:20 2Chronicles 16:4;2 Kings 25:23;Jeremiah 40:7,13;Jeremiah 41:11,13,16;Jeremiah 42:1,8;Jeremiah 43:4,5.Numbers 31:14 (P). —Ezekiel 32:31 omitted by B Hi Co: forEzekiel 27:11 read probably a proper name, of a location, compare Da; Co proposes (compareEzekiel 47:15;Ezekiel 48:1), HalMÈl. Epigr. 1874, 69 =Cilicia, see LagM i. 211.
(see Biblical Hebrew II. , ); —
power: absoluteEzra 4:23by force and power; i.e.call loudlyDaniel 3:4,Daniel 4:11;Daniel 5:7;Daniel 3:20mighty men of power.
force, army, suffixDaniel 3:20; constructDaniel 4:32 (= Biblical Hebrew ).
Topical Lexicon
Scope of Usage in ScriptureThe term appears broadly in narrative, legal, poetic and prophetic texts—about two-hundred-twenty-four times—describing both tangible and intangible resources that enable God’s purposes to advance. Context decides whether the focus is military prowess, moral virtue, economic capacity, or social standing, yet all uses share the idea of effective power placed at the disposal of the covenant people.
Martial Valor and Armed Forces
Chayil frequently denotes the fighting strength of Israel and her neighbors. Pharaoh’s army that pursued Israel is called “all the might of Pharaoh” (Exodus 14:28). When Gideon fears Midianite oppression, “The Angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor!’” (Judges 6:12). David’s elite warriors are repeatedly styled “mighty men of valor” (for example,2 Samuel 17:10;1 Chronicles 11:10-47). Kings are assessed by the caliber of such forces: “Jehoshaphat grew increasingly powerful; he built fortresses and cities of storage… They helped him in war” (2 Chronicles 17:12-19). The concept underscores that Israel’s victories arise not merely from numbers but from God-given courage and disciplined skill (cf.Psalm 33:16-17).
Personal Bravery and Heroism
Beyond organized armies, individual champions embody chayil. Saul is introduced as “a choice and handsome man… a man of valor” (1 Samuel 9:1). Benaiah “struck down two of Moab’s best men… He also killed an Egyptian of great stature” (2 Samuel 23:20-23). Such portraits encourage believers to offer themselves fearlessly in the Lord’s service, trusting Him to transform ordinary people into instruments of extraordinary impact.
Administrative Competence and Leadership
InExodus 18:21 Moses is told to “select capable men out of all the people, men who fear God,” assigning them judicial oversight. Capability here merges moral integrity with practical skill. The Chronicler uses the word for tribal leaders who organized temple worship and civil administration (1 Chronicles 26:6-9). Good governance in Scripture rests on leaders whose strength is expressed through wise stewardship rather than dominance.
Moral Excellence and Noble Character
The Book of Ruth elevates the term beyond the battlefield: Boaz calls Ruth “a woman of noble character” (Ruth 3:11).Proverbs 31:10-31 culminates in the praise of “a wife of noble character” whose industrious life blesses family and community. Here chayil accents virtue, diligence, generosity and God-fearing devotion. Strength is measured not by force but by steadfast righteousness.
Wealth and Material Resources
Many passages pair the word with possessions: Jacob’s sons plundered Shechem’s “wealth” (Genesis 34:29); Job “possessed seven thousand sheep… so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East” (Job 1:3). YetDeuteronomy 8:17-18 warns that material chayil is a gift to be acknowledged, not a cause for pride. Prosperity must be consecrated to covenant faithfulness.
Social Status and Noble Reputation
In narratives of court and clan, the expression marks reputable lineage. David in exile seeks refuge with the Philistine king, who refers to Achish’s officers as “men of valor” (1 Samuel 27:3). The Shunammite woman appeals to the king through Gehazi, identified as “a woman of rank” (2 Kings 4:13). Honor rooted in godliness influences society for good.
Corporate Strength of a Nation
Prophets speak of national chayil: “Moab will be destroyed, her little ones will cry out” (Jeremiah 48:4); conversely, the restored Zion is promised that her “offspring will inherit the nations” (Isaiah 54:3). National flourishing depends on covenant fidelity, with true power flowing from the Lord of Hosts rather than geopolitical alliances.
Theological and Redemptive Themes
1. God as the ultimate source: “The LORD gives strength to His people” (Psalm 29:11).
2. Mediated through covenant leaders: Judges, kings, priests and prophets receive valor to deliver, shepherd and correct.
3. Foreshadowing Messiah:Isaiah 9:6 declares the coming Son to be “Mighty God,” anticipating perfect chayil embodied in Christ’s righteous reign.
4. Culminating in eschatological hope:Zechariah 12:8 foretells a day when “the weakest among them will be like David.”
Practical Ministry Applications
• Discipleship: Churches cultivate believers who combine moral excellence with Spirit-empowered competence (Ephesians 6:10 resonates conceptually).
• Stewardship: Wealth is entrusted for kingdom advance—relief of the poor, spread of the Gospel, maintenance of worship.
• Leadership selection: Elders and deacons mirrorExodus 18 by blending skill and piety.
• Gender discipleship:Proverbs 31 underscores that Christian women display strength through godly industry and wisdom.
• Mission and spiritual warfare: Like Gideon, servants may feel inadequate, yet the Lord names them mighty before they see results.
Summary
Whether depicting armies that defend the land, administrators who order society, women who secure households, or resources that sustain worship, chayil presents a unified portrait of strength devoted to God. Its diverse uses converge to teach that genuine power—physical, moral, economic or social—originates with the LORD, is exercised under His rule, and bears fruit when aligned with His redemptive purposes.
Forms and Transliterations
בְ֭חֵילְךָ בְּחֵ֥ל בְּחֵילֶֽךָ׃ בְּחַ֙יִל֙ בְּחַ֣יִל בְּחַ֥יִל בְּחַֽיִל־ בְּחַיִל֮ בְחֵיל֖וֹ בְחֵילֵ֔ךְ בְחַ֙יִל֙ בְחַ֣יִל בְחַ֨יִל בחיל בחיל־ בחילו בחילך בחילך׃ בחל הֶחָ֑יִל הֶחָֽיִל׃ הַחֲיָלִ֑ים הַחֲיָלִ֔ים הַחֲיָלִ֖ים הַחֲיָלִ֛ים הַחֲיָלִ֜ים הַחֲיָלִ֣ים הַחֲיָלִ֤ים הַחַ֔יִל הַחַ֕יִל הַחַ֗יִל הַחַ֙יִל֙ הַחַ֜יִל הַחַ֣יִל הַחַ֥יִל החיל החיל׃ החילים וְהַחַ֖יִל וְהַחַ֗יִל וְחֵ֣יל וְחֵ֥יל וְחֵיל֑וֹ וְחֵיל֣וֹ וְחֵילֵ֗ךְ וְחֵילָ֖ם וְחַ֣יִל וְחַ֥יִל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים וּלְחֵילוֹ֙ והחיל וחיל וחילו וחילים וחילך וחילם ולחילו חֲיָלִ֑ים חֲיָלִ֔ים חֲיָלִ֣ים חֵ֔יל חֵ֚יל חֵ֝יל֗וֹ חֵ֣יל חֵ֤יל חֵ֥יל חֵ֨יל חֵ֫ילֶ֥ךָ חֵֽילֵהֶ֗ם חֵיל֑וֹ חֵיל֔וֹ חֵיל֛וֹ חֵיל֜וֹ חֵיל֡וֹ חֵילְךָ֥ חֵילְךָ֧ חֵילִ֑י חֵילִ֔י חֵילֵ֗ךְ חֵילֶ֑ךָ חֵילֶ֜ךָ חֵילָ֑הּ חֵילָ֑ם חֵילָ֖ם חֵילָ֤ם חֵילָֽם׃ חֵילָם֙ חֵיל־ חֵילוֹ֙ חַ֔יִל חַ֖יִל חַ֗יִל חַ֙יִל֙ חַ֛יִל חַ֜יִל חַ֡יִל חַ֣יִל חַ֤יִל ׀ חַ֥יִל חַ֭יִל חַיִל֒ חַיִל֩ חַיִל֮ חָ֑יִל חָ֔יִל חָ֖יִל חָֽיִל׃ חיל חיל־ חיל׃ חילה חילהם חילו חילי חילים חילך חילם חילם׃ כְּחֵ֥יל כַּחַיִל֩ כֻּלָּ֑ם כחיל כלם לְחֵ֣יל לְחֵ֨יל לְחַ֧יִל ׀ לחיל מֵחַ֣יִל מחיל bə·ḥa·yil ḇə·ḥa·yil bə·ḥa·yil- bə·ḥê·le·ḵā ḇə·ḥê·lə·ḵā ḇə·ḥê·lêḵ ḇə·ḥê·lōw bə·ḥêl bechaYil becheiLecha beChel bəḥayil ḇəḥayil bəḥayil- bəḥêl ḇəḥêlêḵ bəḥêleḵā ḇəḥêləḵā ḇəḥêlōw chayaLim Chayil cheil cheiLah cheiLam cheiLech cheiLecha cheileHem cheiLi cheiLo ha·ḥă·yā·lîm ha·ḥa·yil ḥă·yā·lîm ḥa·yil ḥā·yil hachayaLim haChayil haḥăyālîm haḥayil ḥăyālîm ḥayil ḥāyil he·ḥā·yil ḥê·lāh ḥê·lām ḥê·lê·hem ḥê·le·ḵā ḥê·lə·ḵā ḥê·lêḵ ḥê·lî ḥê·lōw heChayil heḥāyil ḥêl ḥêl- ḥêlāh ḥêlām ḥêlêhem ḥêlêḵ ḥêleḵā ḥêləḵā ḥêlî ḥêlōw ka·ḥa·yil kachaYil kaḥayil kə·ḥêl keCheil kəḥêl kul·lām kulLam kullām lə·ḥa·yil lə·ḥêl leChayil leCheil ləḥayil ləḥêl mê·ḥa·yil meChayil mêḥayil ū·lə·ḥê·lōw ulecheiLo ūləḥêlōw vachayaLim veChayil veCheil vecheiLam vecheiLech Vecheilecha vecheiLo vehaChayil wa·ḥă·yā·lîm waḥăyālîm wə·ha·ḥa·yil wə·ḥa·yil wə·ḥê·lām wə·ḥê·lêḵ wə·ḥê·lōw wə·ḥêl wəhaḥayil wəḥayil wəḥêl wəḥêlām wəḥêlêḵ wəḥêlōw
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