זֹחֶ֫לֶת (zo.che.let)
zo.che.let
Serpent's
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun zocheleth appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Kings 1:9. It describes a specific location near Jerusalem where Adonijah prepared to declare himself king by sacrificing sheep and oxen. The term is translated as "serpent," likely referring to a boundary stone or landmark shaped like a crawling creature.
Lexical sources suggest the meaning may be uncertain, with some proposing it refers to a "crawling thing" rather than strictly a snake. This site is also identified as another name for En-rogel, the Pool of the Potter’s Spring. The singular usage makes this word a unique geographical marker in the narrative of Solomon’s succession.
The word highlights how physical landmarks anchored political events in ancient Israel. By naming the place after a serpent shape, the text grounds the rebellion in a tangible spot known to readers. This single occurrence preserves a detail of Jerusalem’s topography that would otherwise be lost.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zocheleth appears just once in Scripture, anchoring a pivotal moment in Jerusalem’s history. It marks the stone near En Rogel where Adonijah gathered supporters to claim the throne. This specific location grounds the narrative in real geography, showing how physical places held spiritual and political weight in ancient Israel.
For us, this detail reminds us that God’s plans unfold in concrete settings. Even when human ambitions rise, the historical record preserves these moments for our reflection. We see how leadership transitions were marked by tangible signs, yet divine sovereignty remains above all earthly schemes.
Understanding such landmarks helps us appreciate the Bible’s historical depth. It invites us to trust that God guides history, even through complex human events. May we find comfort in knowing that every detail, no matter how small, serves His greater purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ Zoheleth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/זֹּחֶ֔לֶת1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 1:9
Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;
This verse identifies Zoheleth as the site of Adonijah’s rebellion, linking the term to a specific political act near En Rogel.