חוּל (chul)
chul
Hul
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Chul identifies a specific individual in the biblical genealogies, appearing only twice in Scripture (Genesis 10:23; 1 Chronicles 1:17). He is listed as the second son of Aram and grandson of Shem, placing him within the lineage of peoples traditionally associated with Syria. His brothers include Uz, Gether, and Mash.
Linguistically, the name means "circle." While this etymology might suggest a geographical feature or a symbolic meaning, the biblical text uses it strictly as a proper noun for a person rather than describing a place or concept. The brevity of his mention highlights his role in tracing ethnic origins rather than narrating personal deeds.
As a rare name occurring in only two verses, Chul serves primarily as a link in the Table of Nations. His inclusion underscores the ancient Israelite understanding of their neighbors’ ancestry, connecting the Arameans to the broader Semitic family tree without further biographical detail.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read the genealogies in Genesis or Chronicles, names like Chul can feel distant or abstract. Yet these lists are not merely administrative records; they are a testament to God’s care for every nation and people group. By tracing the lineage of Aram and his sons, Scripture affirms that all human families share a common origin in Shem, linking us together in one vast, diverse family.
This word reminds us that our faith is rooted in history. The inclusion of Chul shows that God’s plan encompasses more than just Israel; it reaches into the broader Semitic world and beyond. For your life today, this offers a sense of belonging. You are part of a story much larger than yourself, woven into the fabric of human history by the Creator who knows every name.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Hul2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/ח֖וּל2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:23
The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.
This verse places Chul as a son of Aram in the Table of Nations, establishing his ethnic identity within the post-Flood world.
-
I Chronicles 1:17
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
The chronicler repeats this lineage to reinforce the historical continuity of Israel’s ancestors and their neighbors from a later perspective.