חַכְלִילִי (chakh.lil)
chakh.lil
dull
H:A-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective chakh.lil describes a visual quality that is difficult to pin down with a single English word. It appears only once in the Bible, in Genesis 49:12, as part of Jacob’s blessing for his son Judah. The term modifies the eyes, suggesting a complexion or gaze that is not uniformly clear but possesses a complex, perhaps darkened, brilliance.
Lexical sources offer two primary interpretations for this rare word. One view defines it simply as "dull," implying a lack of sharp clarity. Another, supported by comparative linguistics, translates it as "dark-flashing" or "brilliant," evoking the rich, deep color of wine. This second sense aligns with the rest of the verse, which compares Judah’s garments to grapes washed in wine, a metaphor for richness and vitality.
The word captures a specific aesthetic: the deep, lustrous hue found in fine wine or perhaps a striking, intense eye color. Rather than describing a defect, it likely points to a vivid, memorable appearance that stands out. Translators often struggle with this term because English lacks a direct equivalent for this kind of dark, shining intensity, forcing them to choose between "dull" and more poetic renderings like "bright-eyed."
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Jacob’s blessing for Judah in Genesis 49 uses rare and vivid imagery to describe a future leader. The word chakh.lil appears here modifying eyes, likely referring to their deep, rich color rather than any lack of clarity. Some translations render it as "dull," but the context of wine suggests something more striking—a gaze that holds depth and intensity.
This description reminds us that God’s blessings often carry layers we might miss at first glance. Judah’s eyes are compared to wine, symbolizing joy, abundance, and a life fully lived under God’s favor. It is not about perfection in the ordinary sense, but about a distinctive character that stands out.
When you reflect on your own life, consider how God might be shaping your character in ways that are unique and memorable. Just as Judah’s eyes were described with such specific richness, your faith journey has its own distinct beauty and purpose, woven into God’s larger story for His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dark of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַכְלִילִ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 49:12
His eyes will be red with wine, his teeth white with milk.
This verse uses chakh.lil to describe Judah's eyes as having a deep, wine-like intensity, symbolizing richness and vitality rather than simple clarity.