Lexical Summary
chalaq: To divide, to share, to apportion, to distribute, to flatter
Original Word:חָלַק
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:chalaq
Pronunciation:khaw-lak'
Phonetic Spelling:(khaw-lak')
KJV: deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-)part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er)
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to be smooth (figuratively)
2. (by implication) (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, have, imparter, take away a portion,
A primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate -- deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-)part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. (Late Hebrew
id.; Aramaic
field,
portion,
divide, determine, decree; Arabic
measure, measure off; Assyrian
e‡lu,
possession,
field, Jäger
BAS ii. 296; Ethiopic
: 1. 2, is
enumerate,
enumeration, number) —
PerfectDeuteronomy 4:19 5t.;Joshua 18:2;ImperfectJob 27:17;Proverbs 17:2; 2masculine singular suffixNehemiah 9:22; 3pluralJoshua 14:5;1 Samuel 30:24;1 Chronicles 24:4,5;2 Samuel 19:30;ImperativeJoshua 22:8;InfinitiveNehemiah 13:13;ParticipleProverbs 29:24; —
divide, apportion, followed by accusative (of gods) and personDeuteronomy 4:19;Deuteronomy 29:25; accusative not expressedNehemiah 13:13 (reference to offerings and tithes); with accusative (of land)Joshua 14:5 (P),Joshua 18:2 (JE),2 Samuel 19:30: object peopleNehemiah 9:22;divide with othersJoshua 22:8 (D ?).
assign, distribute : Levites over () temple 2 Chronicles 23:18, compare1 Chronicles 24:4,5.
assign, impart, followed by &Job 39:17.
share (in), followed by accusative silverJob 27:17; inheritanceProverbs 17:2; spoil1 Samuel 30:24 (object omitted); followed byhave shares withProverbs 29:24.
divide up =plunder the temple, followed by accusative 2 Chronicles 28:21 (see Be).
ImperfectNumbers 26:55;1 Kings 16:21;Job 38:24;Genesis 14:15; 3feminine singularNumbers 26:53,56; (Baer)1 Chronicles 23:6;1 Chronicles 24:3 compare Be & below below
; —
reflexive,divide oneselfGenesis 14:15 (i.e. one's men).
passivebe divided:
apportioned, the landNumbers 26:53,55 (by lot)Numbers 26:56 (id.); all P.
,divided into two factions1 Kings 16:21.
,parted, spread abroadJob 38:24.
transitiveassign, distribute1 Chronicles 23:6;1 Chronicles 24:3, but transitive Niph`al is unlikely, see below
Perfect3plural Joel1 Chronicles 4:2; consecutiveEzekiel 47:21; suffixLamentations 4:16; 3feminine singular suffixIsaiah 34:17; 2masculine singular suffixEzekiel 5:1; —ImperfectGenesis 49:27 4t., etc.; probably read1 Chronicles 23:6;1 Chronicles 24:3 (see above
), etc.;ImperativeJoshua 13:7;InfinitiveJoshua 19:51;Proverbs 16:19; suffixIsaiah 9:2; —
divide, apportion: food, at festival2 Samuel 6:19, followed by accusative & =1 Chronicles 16:3, garmentsPsalm 22:19, sorrowsJob 21:17 (no );give a portion to, followed by (no accusative expressed)Isaiah 53:12; a land Joel 4:2(no indirect object)Joshua 19:51 (P), alsoMicah 2:4;Psalm 60:8 =Psalm 108:8,Daniel 11:39; followed by accusative &Joshua 13:7;Joshua 18:10;1 Kings 18:6;Isaiah 34:17;Ezekiel 47:21;divide hair (symbolic)Ezekiel 5:1;divide spoil ()Isaiah 9:2;Proverbs 16:19;Genesis 49:27 (poem),Exodus 15:9 (song);Judges 5:30;Psalm 68:13;Isaiah 53:12.
assign, distribute: Levites to their service, probably1 Chronicles 23:6;1 Chronicles 24:3 (see above)
scatter, followed by accusativeGenesis 49:7 (poem) ("" ),Lamentations 4:16.
PerfectIsaiah 33:23; consecutiveZechariah 14:1;Imperfect3feminine singularAmos 7:17;be divided, of landAmos 7:17; spoilIsaiah 33:23;Zechariah 14:1.
Perfect consecutiveJoshua 18:5divide (land)among themselves.
InfinitiveJeremiah 37:12;to receive a portion (denominative from ), but dubious
II. (Late Hebrew adjectivesmooth, empty, Arabic
make smooth, lie, forge, fabricate) —
PerfectHosea 10:2; 3masculine pluralPsalm 55:22; —smooth, slippery, only figurative:Hosea 10:2 of heart of faithless Israel (so Ew Ke Wü Now RVm), WeFALSE; >Vrss (not ) Hi St who read ,divided is their heart; ; of words,smoothPsalm 55:22 i.e. deceptive ("" ).
PerfectPsalm 36:3,Proverbs 2:16;Proverbs 7:5;ImperfectPsalm 5:10;ParticipleProverbs 28:23 2t.;make smooth:
literally of idol-makerIsaiah 41:7 with accusative instrumenthammer.
figurativethe tongue, i.e. flatter with itPsalm 5:10;Proverbs 28:23, wordsProverbs 2:16;Proverbs 7:5 ; absolutedeal smoothly, followed byPsalm 36:3,Proverbs 29:5.
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Scopeחָלַק moves in two principal directions:
1. “to divide, distribute, apportion, share” (physical or legal allotment).
2. “to be smooth, flattering, slippery” (speech or character).
The same verbal root therefore binds together the ideas of portioning out tangible inheritance and the seductive yielding of unrighteous words. Scripture consistently places the verb under God’s sovereign prerogatives and man’s moral accountability.
Distribution across Scripture
Approximately sixty-five occurrences are spread through every major Old Testament corpus:
• Pentateuch (especially Deuteronomy) – covenantal allotment of land and worship.
• Historical Books – Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles – tribal inheritance and forced scattering.
• Wisdom and Poetic Books – Psalms, Proverbs, Job – moral instruction on flattery.
• Prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Daniel – judgment or deception by “smooth words.”
Divine Allotment of the Promised Land
Deuteronomy repeatedly grounds Israel’s hope in YHWH’s right “to apportion” (chalaq) the inheritance:
• “The LORD has allotted to all the peoples under heaven the whole host of heaven” (Deuteronomy 4:19).
• “The gods whom He had not allotted to them” (Deuteronomy 29:26).
Joshua implements that decree: “Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD, and there Joshua apportioned the land” (Joshua 18:10). The verb underscores that Israel did not seize Canaan by human stratagem but received a measured gift.Psalm 78:55 reflects on the conquest: “He…apportioned them for an inheritance and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.”
Scattering as Judicial Counter-allotment
When covenant infidelity sets in, the same verb announces dispersion instead of inheritance: “I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel” (Genesis 49:7). Thus חָלַק can mark either gracious distribution or disciplinary fragmentation.
Inheritance and Priestly Provision
Priests and Levites receive no territorial allotment; instead, “the LORD is their inheritance” (Deuteronomy 10:9). Their portion (חֵלֶק, a cognate noun) comes through offerings. The verb undergirds tithing regulations and communal support, reminding modern ministry of God’s ordained patterns for vocational servants.
Flattery, Smooth Speech, and Moral Danger
The second semantic lane indicts deceitful language:
• “They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart” (Psalm 12:2).
• “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet” (Proverbs 29:5).
• “By smooth words he will corrupt those who violate the covenant” (Daniel 11:32).
Flattery appears in the context of seduction (Proverbs 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5), politics (Daniel 11:21), and prophetic resistance (Isaiah 30:10). The same root that once denoted rightful distribution now exposes the slick tongue that claims what it has no right to seize.
Prophetic Polemic
Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah employ חָלַק to condemn leaders who “divide” land unjustly (Micah 2:5) or soothe people with “smooth things” (Isaiah 30:10). In each case, flattery masks idolatry and social oppression. The prophets therefore call the covenant community back to YHWH, the only trustworthy Portion.
Wisdom Literature and the Ethics of the Tongue
Proverbs mounts a sustained offensive against deceptive speech, repeatedly pairing flattery with ruin:
• “A flattering mouth works ruin” (Proverbs 26:28).
• “He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue” (Proverbs 28:23).
Job, in his integrity, refuses such compromise: “Let me not, I pray, show partiality to any man, nor let me flatter any man” (Job 32:21).
Theological Themes
1. Stewardship and Gratitude: Every rightful share proceeds from God’s hand; human division must mirror His justice.
2. Integrity of Speech: Smooth words that manipulate are antithetical to covenant fidelity; true worship requires an undivided heart and an unflattering tongue.
3. Covenant Faithfulness: God both apportions blessing and divides in judgment; His allotments reveal character and purpose.
Christological and New Testament Resonance
While חָלַק itself does not occur in the Greek New Testament, its themes echo: Jesus refuses Satan’s “all the kingdoms” offer (Matthew 4:9) and denounces Pharisaic hypocrisy. Paul warns against “smooth talk and flattery” that “deceive the hearts of the naive” (Romans 16:18). The ultimate inheritance is “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4), entrusted by the same God who once apportioned Canaan.
Practical Ministry Applications
• Teach stewardship: Property, gifting, and ministry spheres are divine allotments to be exercised under God’s authority.
• Guard the pulpit and counsel against flattering speech; expose manipulation with truth in love.
• Encourage believers to find their ultimate “portion” in God Himself, sustaining contentment and unity.
• Apply church discipline when “smooth words” foster division, reflecting God’s willingness to “scatter” where holiness is compromised.
Representative Occurrences
Genesis 49:7;Deuteronomy 4:19; 10:9; 29:26;Joshua 18:10;2 Samuel 19:29;1 Kings 12:24;2 Chronicles 32:29;Nehemiah 9:22;Job 32:21;Psalm 12:2; 55:21; 78:55;Psalm 109:2;Proverbs 2:16; 6:24; 29:5; 26:28;Isaiah 30:10;Jeremiah 3:13;Micah 2:4-5;Daniel 11:21-32.
Forms and Transliterations
אֲחַלְּקֵ֣ם אֲחַלְּקָ֥ה אֲחַלֵּ֣ק אֲחַלֶּק־ אחלק אחלק־ אחלקה אחלקם בְּחַלְּקָ֥ם בחלקם הֶחֱלִ֣יק הֶחֱלִֽיקָה׃ החליק החליקה׃ וְהִֽתְחַלְּק֥וּ וְחִלַּקְתֶּ֞ם וְחִלַּקְתָּֽם׃ וְחֻלַּ֥ק וַֽיְחַלְּק֥וּ וַֽיַּחְלְק֑וּם וַֽיַּחְלְק֖וּ וַֽתַּחְלְקֵ֖ם וַיְחַלֵּ֨ק וַיְחַלֵּק֙ וַיְחַלֶּק־ וַיֵּחָלֵ֨ק וַיֶּֽחָלְקֵ֣ם וַיֶּֽחָלְקֵ֥ם וַיַּחְלְק֥וּם והתחלקו וחלק וחלקתם וחלקתם׃ ויחלק ויחלק־ ויחלקו ויחלקום ויחלקם ותחלקם חִלְּקַ֥תָּה חִלְּקָ֔ם חִלְק֥וּ חִלֵּֽקוּ׃ חַלֵּ֞ק חָ֥לַק חָלְק֖וּ חָלְק֤וּ ׀ חָלַ֖ק חָלַ֜ק חָלַ֣ק חָלַ֤ק חָלַ֥ק חֻלַּ֤ק חוֹלֵ֣ק חולק חלק חלקו חלקו׃ חלקם חלקתה יְחַלְּק֣וּ יְחַלֵּ֣ק יְחַלֵּ֥ק יְחַלֵּֽק׃ יֵחָ֣לֶק יֵחָלֵ֖ק יֵחָלֵ֛ק יַחֲלִֽיקוּן׃ יַחֲלֹ֥ק יַחֲלֹֽק׃ יַחֲלֹֽקוּ׃ יחליקון׃ יחלק יחלק׃ יחלקו יחלקו׃ לַחֲלִ֥ק לַחֲלֹ֥ק לחלק מִֽמַּחֲלִ֥יק מֵֽחַלֵּ֖ק מֵֽחַלֵּ֥ק מַחֲלִ֣יק מַחֲלִ֥יק מחליק מחלק ממחליק תְּחַלֵּ֥ק תְּחֻלָּ֑ק תֵּחָלֵ֖ק תֵּחָלֵ֥ק תַּחְלְק֖וּ תחלק תחלקו ’ă·ḥal·lə·qāh ’ă·ḥal·lə·qêm ’ă·ḥal·lêq ’ă·ḥal·leq- ’ăḥallêq ’ăḥalleq- ’ăḥalləqāh ’ăḥalləqêm achalLek achalleKah achalleKem bə·ḥal·lə·qām bechalleKam bəḥalləqām chaLak chalKu chalLek chilKu chilleKam chilleKattah chilLeku choLek chulLak ḥā·laq ḥā·lə·qū ḥal·lêq ḥālaq ḥāləqū ḥallêq he·ḥĕ·lî·qāh he·ḥĕ·lîq hecheLik hecheLikah heḥĕlîq heḥĕlîqāh ḥil·lə·qām ḥil·lə·qat·tāh ḥil·lê·qū ḥil·qū ḥilləqām ḥilləqattāh ḥillêqū ḥilqū ḥō·w·lêq ḥōwlêq ḥul·laq ḥullaq la·ḥă·liq la·ḥă·lōq lachaLik lachaLok laḥăliq laḥălōq ma·ḥă·lîq machaLik maḥălîq mê·ḥal·lêq mechalLek mêḥallêq mim·ma·ḥă·lîq mimachaLik mimmaḥălîq tachleKu taḥ·lə·qū taḥləqū tê·ḥā·lêq tə·ḥal·lêq tə·ḥul·lāq techaLek techalLek techulLak têḥālêq təḥallêq təḥullāq vaiyachleKu vaiyachleKum vaiyechaLek vaiyechalKem vattachleKem vaychallek vaychalleKu vechillakTam vechillakTem vechulLak vehitchalleKu wat·taḥ·lə·qêm wattaḥləqêm way·ḥal·lə·qū way·ḥal·lêq way·ḥal·leq- way·yaḥ·lə·qū way·yaḥ·lə·qūm way·ye·ḥā·lə·qêm way·yê·ḥā·lêq wayḥallêq wayḥalleq- wayḥalləqū wayyaḥləqū wayyaḥləqūm wayyêḥālêq wayyeḥāləqêm wə·ḥil·laq·tām wə·ḥil·laq·tem wə·hiṯ·ḥal·lə·qū wə·ḥul·laq wəḥillaqtām wəḥillaqtem wəhiṯḥalləqū wəḥullaq ya·ḥă·lî·qūn ya·ḥă·lō·qū ya·ḥă·lōq yachaLikun yachaLok yachaLoku yaḥălîqūn yaḥălōq yaḥălōqū yê·ḥā·leq yê·ḥā·lêq yə·ḥal·lə·qū yə·ḥal·lêq yechaLek yechalLek yechalleKu yêḥāleq yêḥālêq yəḥallêq yəḥalləqū
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