חֲכַלְיָה (cha.khal.yah)
cha.khal.yah
Hacaliah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Chachaliah is a personal name appearing in only one verse of Scripture, Nehemiah 1:1, where he is identified as the father of the governor and leader Nehemiah. The meaning of the name is debated among scholars; while some suggest it translates to "whom Jehovah enlightens," others propose it means "wait for Yahweh." Despite this uncertainty, the name anchors Nehemiah’s identity in his lineage.
As a proper noun, Chachaliah serves primarily as a genealogical marker. His mention establishes the family background of Nehemiah before the narrative shifts to the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. The brief reference highlights the importance of family heritage in the post-exilic community, connecting the leader’s authority to his ancestral roots without further elaboration on his own life or deeds.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hacaliah appears only once in Scripture, anchoring Nehemiah’s identity through his father. In Nehemiah 1:1, we learn that Nehemiah is the son of Hacaliah. This brief genealogical note reminds us that our spiritual journeys are often rooted in family history and community heritage.
While scholars debate the exact meaning of this name, its presence highlights how God uses ordinary lineage to prepare extraordinary leaders. Nehemiah’s authority as governor was connected to his ancestral roots, showing that God honors the families through which He works.
This single verse invites us to consider our own spiritual heritage. Whether we know our family history well or not, we are part of a larger story that God is writing. Your background shapes your perspective, but it does not limit what God can do through you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hacaliah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲכַלְיָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 1:1
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the palace,
This verse establishes Nehemiah’s lineage by naming his father Hacaliah, grounding the governor’s authority in his family heritage before describing his leadership role.