חֶלְאָה (chel.ah)
chel.ah
Helah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name ḥel’āh appears in only two verses of Scripture, both located within the genealogies of 1 Chronicles chapter 4. It identifies a woman from the tribe of Judah who lived during the era of the Divided Monarchy. She is recorded as one of the wives of Ashhur, a man identified as the father of Tekoah.
According to the supplied lexicon data, the meaning of this name is considered doubtful or unclear by scholars. One source suggests a possible connection to the Hebrew word for "rust," though this etymology is not definitive. Her primary scriptural significance lies in her role as a matriarch, listing her sons as Zereth, Izhar, Ethnan, and Koz.
As a proper noun occurring just twice, ḥel’āh serves as a specific link in the ancestral records of Judah. The brevity of its biblical appearance highlights the detailed nature of these genealogies, which preserve the names of individuals who might otherwise remain unknown outside of their familial connections.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Genealogies in Scripture often feel like lists of names that blur together, yet they hold profound significance for those who read them with care. The name Helah appears in the records of Judah, marking her as a wife of Ashhur and mother to several sons. Though the exact meaning of her name remains uncertain to scholars, its presence reminds us that God values every individual recorded in His history.
These ancient lists are not merely administrative data but testimonies to a lineage through which promises were kept. Helah’s inclusion ensures that her family line is remembered alongside the more prominent figures of Israel. It offers comfort that no ancestor is overlooked, and that every life contributes to the broader story of God’s people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Helah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֶלְאָ֖ה1×
- חֶלְאָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 4:5
Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
This verse establishes Helah’s identity as one of two wives of Ashhur, highlighting her role in the household that founded Tekoah.
-
I Chronicles 4:7
The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan.
Here the text lists her sons, preserving their names for future generations and confirming her status as a matriarch in Judah.