To be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
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H2505 is a Hebrew verb whose forms can mean divide, apportion, distribute, assign a share, separate, or, through the idea of smoothness, flatter or speak deceptively. First Samuel 30:24 establishes equal shares for those who fought and those who guarded the supplies, rejecting a proposal to exclude the support group from the recovered goods.
Reader summary
Full entry for חָלַק (H2505) · Open the biblical lexicon
H2505 is a Hebrew verb whose forms can mean divide, apportion, distribute, assign a share, separate, or, through the idea of smoothness, flatter or speak deceptively. First Samuel 30:24 establishes equal shares for those who fought and those who guarded the supplies, rejecting a proposal to exclude the support group from the recovered goods.
The BSB source-word alignment has 65 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include will be divided (4), divide (2), I will parcel out (2), is to be divided (2), Then he distributed (2).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 14:15. Its strongest book concentrations include Joshua (7), Proverbs (7), Psalms (7), Isaiah (6).
This entry includes 2 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
H2505 is a Hebrew verb whose forms can mean divide, apportion, distribute, assign a share, separate, or, through the idea of smoothness, flatter or speak deceptively. First Samuel 30:24 establishes equal shares for those who fought and those who guarded the supplies, rejecting a proposal to exclude the support group from the recovered goods. Second Samuel 6:19 describes David distributing bread and cakes to every man and woman in the gathered multitude after worship.
Psalm 5:9 portrays enemies whose speech cannot be trusted and whose tongues practice deceit, showing the morally different branch of smooth speech. Other passages divide land, duties, armies, spoils, food, or judgment. H2505 opens teaching on fair allocation, shared labor, administrative order, political division, and verbal manipulation. It corrects both favoritism that withholds a rightful share and shallow word studies that force distribution and flattery into one spiritual meaning without attending to grammar, object, and scene.
H2505 spans separating or assigning shares and being or making smooth, including flattering speech. Narrative and legal contexts divide land, goods, work, people, or spoils, while poetry and wisdom expose deceptive smoothness. The verbal form and object govern the sense.
Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.”
David declares that the people who guarded the supplies will receive the same share as those who entered the battle.
Then he distributed to every man and woman among the multitude of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. And all the people departed, each to his own home.
David distributes food to every man and woman in Israel's gathered multitude before the people return home.
For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.
The psalm describes untrustworthy enemies whose throats and tongues turn destructive intent into deceptive speech.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Hebrew word. Smooth surface enables apportionment: literal smoothness grounds figurative sense of fair division and allocation
Smooth surface enables apportionment: literal smoothness grounds figurative sense of fair division and allocation
to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate BDB: be smooth Usage: deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er).
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.
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 65 lexical occurrence verses.
חָלַק is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Describes fractured covenant loyalty.Hosea 10:1-8
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
H2505 shows that division can either organize shared life or expose selfish power. After David's men recover their families and goods, some fighters want to deny recovered property to those who stayed with the supplies. David refuses. Guarding the baggage was part of the common mission, so both groups share alike. The rule protects less visible service from being treated as worthless.
David's later distribution of food to every man and woman similarly makes communal celebration materially inclusive. Yet other scenes divide plunder, land, armies, or a nation itself, and Daniel describes land distributed for a price to reward corrupt allegiance. Allocation is not righteous simply because it is orderly. The smoothness branch adds another danger: speech can distribute promises and praise while concealing a grave-like purpose.
Faithful division therefore requires truthful criteria, recognition of interdependent labor, protection from coercion, and accountable processes. H2505 does not supply one timeless formula for every inheritance, salary, or land claim. It does challenge leaders who keep benefits for visible insiders, manipulate shares to purchase loyalty, or flatter people before exploiting them.
Communities should name contributions honestly and design distributions that serve the common trust rather than the strongest claimant.
1Sam.30.24
H2505 is a stem-sensitive verb associated with smoothness and division or apportionment. English renderings include divide, distribute, share, assign, separate, flatter, and deal smoothly, so syntax and verbal form are essential for selecting the active branch.
New Testament teaching about differing members, shared resources, support for workers, impartiality, divisive factions, and flattering speech continues the canon's concern with distribution and truth. Those patterns do not turn David's spoil rule into a universal wage formula.