What does חָלַף (ḥālap) mean in the Bible?
חָלַף (ḥālap): Fundamental sense of transition—things sliding past—underlying meanings from temporal passage to radical transformation or renewal.
Hebrew · H2498
חָלַף
Properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
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חָלַףH2498
Pronunciationḥālap
What does חָלַף (ḥālap) mean in the Bible?
חָלַף (ḥālap): Fundamental sense of transition—things sliding past—underlying meanings from temporal passage to radical transformation or renewal.
Full entry for חָלַף (H2498) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2498?
The BSB source-word alignment has 28 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and changed (2), They sweep by (2), . . . (1), and change (1), and pierced (1).
Where does חָלַף (ḥālap) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 31:7. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (7), Job (7), Genesis (4), Psalms (4).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand changed2×Genesis 31:7, Genesis 41:14
They sweep by2×Job 9:26, Habakkuk 1:11
. . .1×Psalms 90:5
and change1×Genesis 35:2
and pierced1×Judges 5:26
and they will be passed on1×Psalms 102:26
and you have changed1×Genesis 31:41
but we will replace them1×Isaiah 9:10
changed1×2 Samuel 12:20
glided1×Job 4:15
He comes along1×Job 11:10
is over1×Song Of Solomon 2:11
is renewed1×Job 29:20
It will pour1×Isaiah 8:8
it will sprout1×Job 14:7
new1×Psalms 90:6
renew1×Isaiah 41:1
replace it1×Leviticus 27:10
sweeping1×Isaiah 21:1
Then you will go1×1 Samuel 10:3
they have overstepped1×Isaiah 24:5
were He to move1×Job 9:11
will pierce him1×Job 20:24
will renew1×Isaiah 40:31
will vanish1×Isaiah 2:18
You will change them1×Psalms 102:26
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 31:7וְהֶחֱלִ֥ףtoand changedConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 31:41וַתַּחֲלֵ֥ףtoand you have changedConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singularGenesis 35:2וְהַחֲלִ֖יפוּtoand changeConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine pluralGenesis 41:14וַיְחַלֵּ֣ףtoand changedConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 27:10יַחֲלִיפֶ֗נּוּtoreplace itVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularJudges 5:26וְחָלְפָ֖הtoand piercedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular1 Samuel 10:3וְחָלַפְתָּ֨toThen you will goConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular2 Samuel 12:20וַיְחַלֵּף֙tochangedConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularJob 4:15יַחֲלֹ֑ףtoglidedVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularJob 9:11וְ֝יַחֲלֹ֗ףtowere He to moveConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 31:7
Aligned rows28
Books represented10
Genesis4Leviticus1Judges11 Samuel12 Samuel1Job7Psalms4Song Of Solomon1Isaiah7Habakkuk1
Source forms
יַחֲלִ֣יפוּ2xya·ḥă·lî·p̄ūIsaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:1
יַחֲלֹֽף׃2xya·ḥă·lōp̄Psalms 90:5, Isaiah 2:18
וְהַחֲלִ֖יפוּ1xwə·ha·ḥă·lî·p̄ūGenesis 35:2
וְהֶחֱלִ֥ף1xwə·he·ḥĕ·lip̄Genesis 31:7
וְחָלַ֤ף1xwə·ḥā·lap̄Isaiah 8:8
וְחָלָ֑ף1xwə·ḥā·lāp̄Psalms 90:6
וְחָלְפָ֖ה1xwə·ḥā·lə·p̄āhJudges 5:26
וְחָלַפְתָּ֨1xwə·ḥā·lap̄·tā1 Samuel 10:3
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular4xJob 4:15, Job 11:10, Psalms 90:5, Isaiah 2:18
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2xGenesis 41:14, 2 Samuel 12:20
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular2xPsalms 90:6, Isaiah 8:8
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural2xIsaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:1
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural2xJob 9:26, Isaiah 24:5
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular2xSong Of Solomon 2:11, Habakkuk 1:11
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular1xGenesis 31:7
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular1xGenesis 31:41
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Fundamental sense of transition—things sliding past—underlying meanings from temporal passage to radical transformation or renewal.
Source Gloss
properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Fundamental sense of transition—things sliding past—underlying meanings from temporal passage to radical transformation or renewal.
properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change BDB: pass on Usage: abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike through.
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 groups2Aligned forms13
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense8×
ImperfectIsa 2:18 · Job 4:15 · Job 11:10 · Ps 90:54×
PerfectHab 1:11 · Song 2:11 · Isa 24:5 · Job 9:264×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action5×
ImperfectIsa 40:31 · Isa 41:1 · Isa 9:9 · Job 14:7 · Job 29:205×
Word Origins
חָלַף is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.