חַיִל
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| Part of Speech | Noun |
|---|---|
| Occurrences | 251 |
| Possible Meanings |
|
| Related Words | _ |
Possible Meanings
The word חַיִל in its various forms appears 251 times in Tanakh.1 The word is used to refer to various forms of strength or capability, or to people who possess these attributes.2 Here are a few examples of each of the main usages:3
1. Power (physical strength) or courage (strength of spirit)
- Biblical verses – Shemuel I 2:4, Yeshayahu 5:22, Tehillim 33:16
- Additional data –
2. Capability (or strength of ability)
- Biblical verses – perhaps Mishlei 12:4, 31:10, Rut 3:11
- Additional data –
3. Wealth (which affords power)
- Biblical verses – Bereshit 34:29, Bemidbar 31:29, Devarim 8:17-18, Yirmeyahu 15:13, 17:3, Yechezkel 28:4-5, Yoel 2:22, Tehillim 49:7,11, Iyyov 15:29
- Additional data –
4. Army
- Biblical verses – Shemot 14:4,9,17,28, 15:4, Bemidbar 31:14
- Additional data –
Disputed Cases
Some of these cases are also the subject of dispute among the commentators:
Shemot 18:21 – וְאַתָּה תֶחֱזֶה מִכָּל הָעָם אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל:
- Men possessing endurance and courage – R. Yonah ibn Janach, Ibn Ezra.
- Men possessing wealth – Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Rashi, Seikhel Tov.4
- Military commanders – Abarbanel.5
- Men possessing the capability to lead a large group of people – Ramban.6
- Men possessing many good attributes – U. Cassuto.7
Idioms
In many instances, חיל appears as part of the terms איש חיל, בן חיל, or גבור חיל. These terms can also have different possible meanings (a person possessing strength, courage, capability, or wealth, or a soldier) which correspond to the various meanings of חיל listed above.