חֶלְקָ֑י (chel.qay)
chel.qay
Helkai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Chelkai, formed from the Hebrew elements chelek ("portion") and Yahweh ("Jehovah"), literally means "my portion is Jehovah." In the Old Testament, this phrase reflects a deep theological conviction that God Himself is the believer's inheritance and ultimate security, rather than material wealth or earthly status.
Chelkai appears only once in Scripture, recorded in Nehemiah 12:15 as the leader of the priestly family descended from Meremoth. This single mention places him among the returning exiles who helped restore Jerusalem’s religious life under Joiakim. His name serves as a personal declaration of faith within a community rebuilding its identity around worship and covenant loyalty.
While brief, this entry highlights how names in biblical history often carried significant spiritual meaning. For Chelkai and his descendants, acknowledging God as their portion was both a personal trust and a communal witness during a critical period of restoration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Chelkai carries a beautiful promise that resonates across centuries. It combines the word for "portion" with the divine name Yahweh, creating the declaration "my portion is Jehovah." In a world that often measures success by wealth or status, this name points to a different kind of inheritance. It reminds us that our true security and satisfaction are found in God alone.
Chelkai appears only once in Scripture, listed among the priests who helped restore Jerusalem’s worship after the exile. His life was part of a community rebuilding its identity around covenant loyalty. This single mention shows how personal faith can anchor a family through difficult times. When we trust God as our portion, we join a long line of believers who have found their home in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Helkai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֶלְקָֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 12:15
of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;
This verse lists Chelkai among the priestly leaders serving during the restoration, showing how his name reflected the community's focus on worship rather than material gain.