What does חָלָה · ὠδίν mean in the Bible?
חָלָה · ὠδίν is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to writhe in labor pain".
Hebrew · H2470, G5604
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
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
חָלָהH2470properly, to be rubbed or worn ; hence (figuratively) to be weak , sick , afflicted ; or (causatively) to grieve , make sick ; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat
Pronunciationḥālāh
Physical deterioration (rubbing away) extends metaphorically to weakness, sickness, affliction, and entreaty as urgent supplication.
Open lexicon entry →ὠδίνG5604a pang or throe, especially of childbirth
Pronunciationōdín
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 phrase meaning "to writhe in labor pain".
Full entry for חִיל (H2470, G5604) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H2470, G5604?
H2470, G5604 is connected to 75 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to writhe in labor pain
Source Gloss
to writhe in labor pain
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups6Aligned forms48
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense24×
Perfect1Kgs 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 57:1013×
Participle active1Kgs 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 2:511×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action7×
Participle activeIsa 17:11 · Jer 10:19 · Jer 14:17 · Jer 30:124×
PerfectAmos 6:6 · Jer 12:132×
Participle passiveNah 3:191×
Hophalcausative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action3×
Perfect1Kgs 22:34 · 2Chr 18:33 · 2Chr 35:233×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action9×
Perfect1Sam 13:12 · Ps 119:58 · 2Chr 33:12 · Deut 29:21 · Dan 9:135×
ImperfectProv 19:6 · Ps 45:132×
Sequential imperfect1Kgs 13:6 · Mal 1:92×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action4×
PerfectHos 7:5 · Isa 53:10 · Mic 6:133×
Participle activeProv 13:121×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject1×
PerfectIsa 14:101×
Word Origins
חִיל is built from these roots: