חוּל (chul)
chul
to twist: tremble; be firm; to twist: give birth; to twist: writh in pain; to twist: dance; to twist: anticipate
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 50 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chul centers on the physical sensation of twisting or writhing, creating a vivid image that spans joy and agony. In its most common sense, it describes rhythmic movement, such as dancing or whirling, but it also captures the contortions of labor pain or distress. This duality allows the word to bridge celebratory motion and intense suffering, depending on the context.
Scripture uses this range effectively to depict human experience. In Psalms, the imagery often points to joyful celebration, where people dance before God. Conversely, in Job and Isaiah, the same root describes the anguish of childbirth or the trembling fear of those facing judgment. The Polel stem specifically emphasizes the act of bearing fruit or bringing forth life through this twisting effort.
A notable feature of chul is its occasional use to describe waiting anxiously or longing for something to come. This connects the physical tension of anticipation with the emotional state of eager expectation. Translators must carefully choose between "dance," "writhe," and "tremble" based on whether the passage highlights celebration, pain, or fearful reverence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chul captures a striking range of human experience, from the joyous rhythm of dance to the intense pain of labor or distress. It reminds us that our physical and emotional lives are deeply connected. When we celebrate with others, we might 'dance' before God; when we suffer, we may 'tremble' in fear or 'writhe' in agony. This word shows that every part of our existence matters to Him.
In moments of waiting, chul also describes an anxious anticipation, like a mother expecting a child. This connection between physical tension and emotional hope offers comfort. Even when we feel unstable or afraid, we can bring those feelings to God. He sees our struggles and our joys alike, inviting us to trust Him through every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 50 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tremble3×
- she was in labor2×
- it will whirl about2×
- and/ he was in severe pain2×
- I was brought forth2×
- ¿/ will it be brought forth1×
- writhe in pain1×
- whirling1×
- were you brought forth?1×
- we were in labor1×
- to/ dance1×
- they writhed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִתְחוֹלֵ֑ל2×
- יָחֽוּל\׃2×
- יָחִ֥יל2×
- תָּחִ֥יל1×
- תָּחִ֖יל1×
- תְּחוֹלֶלְ/כֶ֑ם1×
- תְּחִילִֽי/ן\׃\ \ס1×
- תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל1×
- תָחִ֔ילוּ1×
- מְחֹלְלֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- לָ/ח֣וּל1×
- יָחֻ֙לוּ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 21:21
and see, and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards, and each man catch his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
This verse uses chul to describe the daughters of Shiloh dancing, showing how the word can signify joyful celebration and community.
-
Job 39:1
“Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns?
Here, the verb describes a doe giving birth, highlighting the physical effort and pain associated with bringing new life into the world.
-
Psalms 96:9
Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth.
The command to 'tremble' before God uses chul to express reverent awe and fear in His presence.
-
Deuteronomy 32:18
Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten God who gave you birth.
This passage references God as the one who gave birth, using the imagery of labor to describe His creative care for Israel.