חֹלוֹן (cho.lon)
cho.lon
Holon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun cholon means "sandy" and serves as the name for a town in the mountains of Judah. According to the biblical record, this settlement was allocated to the priests, highlighting its specific role within the tribal divisions of Israel. The name itself offers a simple geographic clue, describing the terrain’s loose, granular soil.
Lexical sources note that this location is also referred to as Hilen in some texts, suggesting a variant pronunciation or scribal tradition for the same place. Although it appears in only three verses, primarily within Joshua and Jeremiah, its inclusion underscores the detailed mapping of priestly cities during the settlement period. The word’s brevity reflects its function as a straightforward label for a community defined by its physical environment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Holon describes a place defined by its loose, sandy soil. It was one of the cities given to the priests, showing how God provided for those who served in the temple. This detail reminds us that even ordinary land has a sacred purpose when it is set apart for God’s work.
When we read about Holon in Jeremiah, we see a different side. The prophet speaks of judgment coming upon this town. It shows that no place is too small to be affected by God’s justice. Yet, this warning also points to the seriousness of our relationship with Him.
We can find comfort in knowing that God cares about the details of our lives. Just as He assigned specific cities to His servants, He knows where we are and what we need. Our faith is grounded in a God who provides for us and guides us through every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Holon2×
- and/ Holon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֹלֹן֙1×
- חֹל֥וֹן1×
- וְ/חֹלֹ֖ן1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:51
Goshen, Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.
This verse lists Holon among the cities given to Judah, showing its place in the tribal inheritance.
-
Joshua 21:15
Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands,
Here Holon is specifically assigned to the priests, highlighting its role in supporting temple service.
-
Jeremiah 48:21
Judgment has come on the plain country— on Holon, on Jahzah, on Mephaath,
The prophet uses Holon as an example of a place facing judgment, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations.