צֶ֫לֶק (tse.leq)
tse.leq
Zelek
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper name Tseleq identifies one of King David’s elite warriors, specifically listed among his mighty men in 2 Samuel 23:37 and its parallel account in 1 Chronicles 11:39. Unlike many biblical figures who are Israelites, Tselek is explicitly noted as an Ammonite, a people group often in conflict with Israel. His inclusion highlights the diverse composition of David’s loyal forces during the United Monarchy.
The name itself carries the meaning "fissure" or "cleft." While this etymology might seem unusual for a warrior’s name, it likely serves as a distinctive personal identifier rather than a metaphorical title. The sources confirm his identity solely through these genealogical and military lists, offering no further narrative details about his specific deeds or character.
His presence in the text underscores the historical reality of David’s reign, where loyalty to the king transcended ethnic boundaries. By recording an Ammonite among the champions of Israel, the biblical authors preserve a snapshot of the political and military alliances that characterized this period. Tselek remains a footnote in Scripture, remembered only as part of the larger tapestry of David’s support system.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tseleq means "fissure" or "cleft," yet it belongs to a man who helped hold the kingdom together. In 2 Samuel 23:37, he is listed among David’s mighty men as an Ammonite. This detail stands out because Ammonites were often enemies of Israel. His presence in this elite group shows that loyalty and skill mattered more than ethnic background during David’s reign.
For your faith today, this reminds us that God uses unexpected people to serve His purposes. Tseleq is not given a story of his own, but his name remains in Scripture as part of the larger community that supported God’s anointed king. It encourages us to value unity and shared mission over division.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zelek2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צֶ֖לֶק2×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 23:37
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
This verse explicitly identifies Tseleq as an Ammonite, highlighting the ethnic diversity within David’s loyal forces.
-
I Chronicles 11:39
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah),
The parallel account in Chronicles confirms his status as a warrior alongside Naharai, reinforcing his historical role in the United Monarchy.