חָלַץ (cha.lats)
cha.lats
to rescue; to arm
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 34 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chalats carries two distinct threads of meaning: physical removal and divine rescue. In its basic sense, it describes the act of drawing something off or out, such as pulling off a garment or withdrawing from a place. This concrete imagery underpins its more common theological use, where it signifies being delivered or set free from danger. The word appears frequently in the Psalms and historical books like Joshua to describe God’s intervention on behalf of His people.
A notable nuance arises in how translators render the term across different contexts. When used in the Piel stem, it often means to rescue or deliver, as seen when Israel is saved from their enemies. However, in other instances, particularly involving clothing, it refers to stripping off garments. This physical sense connects to a metaphorical idea of preparation; just as one might remove restrictive clothing for action, God equips His people for battle. The sources note that this "arming" aspect appears in passages where strength is restored or braces are tightened.
The word’s versatility allows it to bridge the gap between literal liberation and spiritual strengthening. In Psalm 60:11, for example, the text asks who will give deliverance, using a form of chalats that implies being pulled out of distress. Similarly, in Joshua, it describes the actual removal of obstacles or enemies. This duality highlights a biblical theme where physical rescue often serves as a picture of deeper, enduring salvation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chalats paints a vivid picture of God’s active care for His people. It describes both the physical act of arming oneself for battle and the spiritual reality of being rescued from danger. When you feel overwhelmed by circumstances, this word reminds you that God does not merely watch from a distance; He intervenes to pull you out of distress. This dual meaning shows that divine rescue often includes equipping us with strength to face what lies ahead.
In moments of fear or uncertainty, remembering that God delivers and prepares can bring deep comfort. The Psalms frequently use this term to express trust in His protection, assuring believers that He is near in trouble. You are not left to fight your battles alone. Instead, you can rely on a God who both saves and strengthens those who call upon Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 34 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- equipped3×
- and/ the/ armed [man]3×
- the/ [man] equipped2×
- equipped [man]2×
- you will take off1×
- you will equip yourselves1×
- you have rescued1×
- we will equip ourselves1×
- they draw out1×
- they are delivered1×
- tears out1×
- he will strengthen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲלוּצֵ֥י2×
- חֲל֥וּץ2×
- תֵּחָֽלְצ֛וּ1×
- תַחֲלֹ֖ץ1×
- נֶחֱלָ֑ץ1×
- נֵחָלֵ֣ץ1×
- יַחֲלִ֑יץ1×
- יֵחָלֵֽצוּ\׃1×
- יְחַלֵּ֣ץ1×
- יְחַלְּצֵ֖/נִי1×
- חָלַ֖ץ1×
- חָל֤וּץ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 50:15
Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
This verse explicitly links calling on God in trouble with His promise to deliver, highlighting the rescue aspect of chalats.
-
Numbers 31:5
So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
Here the word describes men being armed for war, illustrating the preparation and strength associated with divine mission.
-
II Samuel 22:20
He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
David uses this term to describe being brought into a large place of safety, emphasizing God's personal deliverance from enemies.
-
Deuteronomy 25:10
His name shall be called in Israel, “The house of him who had his sandal removed.”
This unique usage refers to the removal of a sandal, showing the literal sense of taking something off that underpins the metaphor of liberation.