Hebrew · H2470, G5604 · unreviewed

חִיל

Properly, to be rubbed or worn ; hence (figuratively) to be weak , sick , afflicted ; or (causatively) to grieve , make sick ; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat · a pang or throe, especially of childbirth

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

חָלָה H2470 properly, to be rubbed or worn ; hence (figuratively) to be weak , sick , afflicted ; or (causatively) to grieve , make sick ; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat
Pronunciation ḥālāh
Physical deterioration (rubbing away) extends metaphorically to weakness, sickness, affliction, and entreaty as urgent supplication.
Open lexicon entry →
ὠδίν G5604 a pang or throe, especially of childbirth
Pronunciation ōdín
Intense suffering likened to childbirth pangs; NT metaphor for end-times tribulation and death's grip.
Open lexicon entry →

What does חִיל (chil) mean in the Bible?

חָלָה · ὠδίν is a Hebrew word meaning "to writhe in labor pain".

Full entry for חִיל (H2470, G5604) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to writhe in labor pain
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 24×
Perfect 1Kgs 14:1 · 1Kgs 15:23 · 1Kgs 17:17 · 2Chr 32:24 · 2Kgs 13:14 · 2Kgs 20:1 · 2Kgs 20:12 · Isa 38:1 · Isa 39:1 · 1Sam 30:13 · Isa 33:24 · Prov 23:35 · Isa 57:10 13×
Participle active 1Kgs 14:5 · 1Sam 19:14 · 1Sam 22:8 · 2Chr 22:6 · 2Kgs 8:7 · 2Kgs 8:29 · Eccl 5:12 · Eccl 5:15 · Gen 48:1 · Neh 2:2 · Song 2:5 11×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Participle active Isa 17:11 · Jer 10:19 · Jer 14:17 · Jer 30:12
Perfect Amos 6:6 · Jer 12:13
Participle passive Nah 3:19
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action
Perfect 1Kgs 22:34 · 2Chr 18:33 · 2Chr 35:23
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action
Perfect 1Sam 13:12 · Ps 119:58 · 2Chr 33:12 · Deut 29:21 · Dan 9:13
Imperfect Prov 19:6 · Ps 45:13
Sequential imperfect 1Kgs 13:6 · Mal 1:9
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action
Perfect Hos 7:5 · Isa 53:10 · Mic 6:13
Participle active Prov 13:12
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject
Perfect Isa 14:10
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 48 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Perfect 27 Participle 16 Imperative 2 Imperfect 2 Participle passive 1
Stem
Qal 24 Piel 9 Niphal 7 Hiphil 4 Hophal 3 Pual 1
Mood
Indicative 27 Imperative 2 Indicative/jussive 2
OT Occurrences
Gen 48:1 Qal · Participle Deut 29:21 Piel · Perfect · Indicative 1 Sam 13:12 Piel · Perfect · Indicative 1 Sam 19:14 Qal · Participle 1 Sam 22:8 Qal · Participle 1 Sam 30:13 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Kgs 13:6 Piel · Imperative · Imperative 1 Kgs 14:1 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Kgs 14:5 Qal · Participle 1 Kgs 15:23 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Kgs 17:17 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Kgs 22:34 Hophal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Kgs 8:7 Qal · Participle 2 Kgs 8:29 Qal · Participle 2 Kgs 13:14 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Kgs 20:1 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Kgs 20:12 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 18:33 Hophal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 22:6 Qal · Participle 2 Chr 32:24 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 33:12 Piel · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 35:23 Hophal · Perfect · Indicative Neh 2:2 Qal · Participle Ps 45:13 Piel · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Ps 119:58 Piel · Perfect · Indicative Prov 13:12 Hiphil · Participle Prov 19:6 Piel · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Prov 23:35 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Eccl 5:12 Qal · Participle Eccl 5:15 Qal · Participle Song 2:5 Qal · Participle Isa 14:10 Pual · Perfect · Indicative Isa 17:11 Niphal · Participle Isa 33:24 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Isa 38:1 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Isa 39:1 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Isa 53:10 Hiphil · Perfect · Indicative Isa 57:10 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Jer 10:19 Niphal · Participle Jer 12:13 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative +8 more occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources