2426. chel
Lexical Summary
chel: Rampart, fortress, army, strength, wealth

Original Word: חֵיל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cheyl
Pronunciation: khale
Phonetic Spelling: (khale)
KJV: army, bulwark, host, + poor, rampart, trench, wall
NASB: rampart, ramparts, district, host, walls
Word Origin: [a collateral form of H2428 (חַיִל - army)]

1. an army
2. (by analogy) an intrenchment

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
army, bulwark, host, poor, rampart, trench, wall

Or (shortened) chel {khale}; a collateral form of chayil; an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment -- army, bulwark, host, + poor, rampart, trench, wall.

see HEBREW chayil

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from chul
Definition
rampart, fortress
NASB Translation
district (1), host (1), rampart (3), ramparts (2), walls (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חֵל, חֵיל noun masculineObadiah 20 rampart, fortress (perhaps originally surrounding wall, compare SabDenkm91n. 2) — absolute חֵיל Nahum 3:8, חֵל Lamentations 2:8 3t.;(+ Psalm 10:10 Qr see חלכה); construct חֵל 1 Kings 21:23; suffix חֵילֵךְ Psalm 122:7, חֵילָהּ Zechariah 9:4; חֵילָה = חֵילָהּ Psalm 48:14, Ol§ 40 approximately 75g. 96 e Sta§ 347 c; —

1 rampart (defined by Jews as בֶּן חוֺמָה, i.e. a little wall, compare Ki under the word), of an outer fortification 2 Samuel 20:15 (others, by metonymy, of space between outer and inner fortification, including moat, see Dr Kit); Isaiah 26:1; Lamentations 2:8 (both "" חוֺמוֺת); in General of defences, or sea-power of Tyre וְהִכָּה בַיָּם חֵילָהּ Zechariah 9:4 (see StaZAW i.1881, 15), of No-Amon (Thebes) אֲשֶׁר חֵיל יָם מִיָּם חוֺמָתָהּ Nahum 3:8; of Zion Psalm 122:7, also Psalm 48:14 (חילה = חֵילָהּ, compare above; both "" ארמנותיך). — For חֵל 1 Kings 21:23 read probably חֵלֶק, q. v.

2 fortress גָּלֻת הַחֵל הַזֶּה Obadiah 20 the exiles of this fortress (Hi-St; Or, AV RV this army, חֵל = חַיִל).

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Scriptural Occurrences

חֵיל (Strong’s H2426) denotes the fortified perimeter of a city—its rampart, outer wall, or bulwark. The term appears about twenty-seven times, mostly in the historical books, where it distinguishes the defensive earthworks or stone escarpments that encircle a larger “inner wall” (חֹמָה). Key examples include 2 Samuel 20:15; 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 9:15; 1 Kings 11:27; 2 Kings 25:4; 2 Chronicles 32:5; Nehemiah 3:8; Psalm 48:13 and Isaiah 26:1.

Military and Architectural Function

In the ancient Near East every major city possessed two concentric lines of defense:

1. An inner load-bearing wall for day-to-day security.
2. An outer earthen or stone rampart (חֵיל) that absorbed the first shock of siege machinery.

Solomon strengthened Jerusalem’s “wall of Jerusalem” (1 Kings 3:1; 9:15) by expanding its חֵיל. Centuries later Hezekiah “rebuilt the walls that were broken down, erected towers on them, and built another wall outside” (2 Chronicles 32:5)—a clear reference to adding or repairing the חֵיל. Because siege ramps of the attacking army were often thrown against this outer barrier (2 Samuel 20:15), the חֵיל became the place where a city’s courage or collapse was first revealed.

Symbol of National Strength and Human Ingenuity

Several narratives connect the חֵיל with royal projects and forced labor (1 Kings 9:15–19; 1 Kings 11:27). The rampart thus signified not only security but also political power and economic capacity. When Nebuchadnezzar breached Jerusalem, Scripture notes how King Zedekiah fled “through the gate between the two walls” (2 Kings 25:4), underscoring the futility of trusting mere masonry when the covenant with the LORD had been violated (cf. Isaiah 22:11).

Metaphorical and Theological Undercurrents

Hebrew poets use חֵיל figuratively. The sons of Korah invite pilgrims to “consider her ramparts” (Psalm 48:13) so that future generations might praise the steadfast love of God. Isaiah foresees a day when “We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as walls and ramparts” (Isaiah 26:1), turning the physical חֵיל into an image of divine deliverance. The transfer of the word from stonework to salvation anticipates the New Testament portrayal of the believer’s security in Christ (John 10:28–29; 1 Peter 1:5).

Prophetic and Messianic Dimensions

Isaiah’s vision implies that any true and lasting חֵיל is God-made. The prophet looks beyond Judah’s crumbling fortifications to the Messiah’s kingdom, where “salvation” itself forms the eternal rampart. The New Jerusalem of Revelation 21–22 fulfills this expectation: its walls are unbreachable, its gates never shut, and its citizens enjoy unbroken fellowship with God.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Relying on human defenses—whether political alliances, economic prowess, or personal ingenuity—offers only temporary protection. Ministry should therefore cultivate dependence on the LORD, not on “horses and chariots” (Psalm 20:7).
• Like Jerusalem’s visible חֵיל, the church’s doctrinal and moral boundaries must be maintained. Leaders are to “strengthen the things that remain” (Revelation 3:2) so that the faith community is not easily overrun by error.
Psalm 48 suggests that instruction includes touring the ramparts—helping disciples trace past acts of divine faithfulness in order to foster present confidence. Testimony and remembrance are part of the church’s protective wall.
Isaiah 26:1 encourages worship that celebrates salvation as our ultimate fortification. Every gathering is an opportunity to exalt Christ as the perfect and permanent חֵיל around His people.

Summary

חֵיל points first to the literal outer wall that protected Israelite cities but ultimately to the LORD Himself, who surrounds His covenant people with enduring salvation. The word’s Old Testament trajectory—from royal building projects and military engineering to prophetic imagery of redemption—reminds believers that God alone is the sure defense of every life, congregation, and nation.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּחֵ֣יל בְּחֵ֥יל בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ בַּחֵ֑ל בחיל בחילך בחל הַֽחֵל־ החל־ וְחֵיל֖וֹ וְחֵיל֙ וָחֵֽל׃ וחיל וחילו וחל׃ חֵ֖יל חֵ֣יל חֵ֣יל ׀ חֵ֥יל חֵ֥ל חֵ֨יל חֵיל֔וֹ חֵילִי֙ חֵילָֽם׃ חיל חילו חילי חילם׃ חל לְחֵילֽוֹ׃ לחילו׃ ba·ḥêl baChel baḥêl bə·ḥê·lêḵ bə·ḥêl beCheil becheiLech bəḥêl bəḥêlêḵ cheil cheiLam cheiLi cheiLo chel ha·ḥêl- hachel haḥêl- ḥê·lām ḥê·lî ḥê·lōw ḥêl ḥêlām ḥêlî ḥêlōw lə·ḥê·lōw lecheiLo ləḥêlōw vaChel veCheil vecheiLo wā·ḥêl wāḥêl wə·ḥê·lōw wə·ḥêl wəḥêl wəḥêlōw
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 14:4
HEB: בְּפַרְעֹה֙ וּבְכָל־ חֵיל֔וֹ וְיָדְע֥וּ מִצְרַ֖יִם
INT: Pharaoh and all army will know Egyptian

Exodus 14:17
HEB: בְּפַרְעֹה֙ וּבְכָל־ חֵיל֔וֹ בְּרִכְבּ֖וֹ וּבְפָרָשָֽׁיו׃
INT: Pharaoh and all army his chariots and his horsemen

Exodus 14:28
HEB: הַפָּ֣רָשִׁ֔ים לְכֹל֙ חֵ֣יל פַּרְעֹ֔ה הַבָּאִ֥ים
INT: and the horsemen entire army Pharaoh's had gone

Exodus 15:4
HEB: מַרְכְּבֹ֥ת פַּרְעֹ֛ה וְחֵיל֖וֹ יָרָ֣ה בַיָּ֑ם
INT: chariots Pharaoh's army has cast the sea

2 Samuel 8:9
HEB: אֵ֖ת כָּל־ חֵ֥יל הֲדַדְעָֽזֶר׃
INT: David all army of Hadadezer

2 Samuel 20:15
HEB: הָעִ֔יר וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד בַּחֵ֑ל וְכָל־ הָעָם֙
NAS: and it stood by the rampart; and all
KJV: and it stood in the trench: and all the people
INT: the city stood the rampart and all the people

1 Kings 20:1
HEB: אֶת־ כָּל־ חֵיל֔וֹ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וּשְׁנַ֥יִם
INT: gathered all army thirty and two

2 Kings 18:17
HEB: הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ בְּחֵ֥יל כָּבֵ֖ד יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
KJV: with a great host against Jerusalem.
INT: King Hezekiah host A large to Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 18:9
HEB: אֶת־ כָּל־ חֵ֖יל הֲדַדְעֶ֥זֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־
INT: David all army of Hadadezer king

1 Chronicles 20:1
HEB: יוֹאָב֩ אֶת־ חֵ֨יל הַצָּבָ֜א וַיַּשְׁחֵ֣ת ׀
INT: led Joab army of the army and ravaged

2 Chronicles 16:7
HEB: כֵּ֗ן נִמְלַ֛ט חֵ֥יל מֶֽלֶךְ־ אֲרָ֖ם
INT: after that has escaped army of the king of Aram

2 Chronicles 24:23
HEB: עָלָ֣ה עָלָיו֮ חֵ֣יל אֲרָם֒ וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
INT: came against army of the Arameans came

2 Chronicles 24:24
HEB: אֲנָשִׁ֜ים בָּ֣אוּ ׀ חֵ֣יל אֲרָ֗ם וַֽיהוָה֙
INT: of men came army of the Arameans the LORD

2 Chronicles 26:13
HEB: וְעַל־ יָדָם֩ חֵ֨יל צָבָ֜א שְׁלֹ֧שׁ
INT: against their hand army appointed time three

Nehemiah 4:2
HEB: לִפְנֵ֣י אֶחָ֗יו וְחֵיל֙ שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן וַיֹּ֕אמֶר
INT: the presence of his brothers army Samaria and said

Esther 1:3
HEB: שָׂרָ֖יו וַעֲבָדָ֑יו חֵ֣יל ׀ פָּרַ֣ס וּמָדַ֗י
INT: his princes and attendants army Persia and Media

Esther 8:11
HEB: אֶת־ כָּל־ חֵ֨יל עַ֧ם וּמְדִינָ֛ה
INT: annihilate the entire army people province

Psalm 122:7
HEB: יְהִֽי־ שָׁל֥וֹם בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ׃
NAS: May peace be within your walls, And prosperity
KJV: Peace be within thy walls, [and] prosperity
INT: become may peace your walls and prosperity your palaces

Isaiah 26:1
HEB: יָשִׁ֖ית חוֹמ֥וֹת וָחֵֽל׃
NAS: up walls and ramparts for security.
KJV: [for] walls and bulwarks.
INT: sets walls and ramparts

Isaiah 36:2
HEB: הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ בְּחֵ֣יל כָּבֵ֑ד וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד
KJV: with a great army. And he stood
INT: King Hezekiah army A large stood

Lamentations 2:8
HEB: מִבַּלֵּ֑עַ וַיַּֽאֲבֶל־ חֵ֥ל וְחוֹמָ֖ה יַחְדָּ֥ו
NAS: from destroying, And He has caused rampart and wall
KJV: from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall
INT: destroying to lament rampart and wall together

Ezekiel 29:19
HEB: וְהָיְתָ֥ה שָׂכָ֖ר לְחֵילֽוֹ׃
INT: become will be wages army

Joel 2:11
HEB: קוֹלוֹ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י חֵיל֔וֹ כִּ֣י רַ֤ב
INT: his voice before army Surely great

Joel 2:22
HEB: וָגֶ֖פֶן נָתְנ֥וּ חֵילָֽם׃
INT: and the vine have yielded army

Joel 2:25
HEB: וְהֶחָסִ֣יל וְהַגָּזָ֑ם חֵילִי֙ הַגָּד֔וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר
INT: the stripping and the gnawing army my great which

27 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2426
27 Occurrences


ba·ḥêl — 1 Occ.
bə·ḥêl — 2 Occ.
bə·ḥê·lêḵ — 1 Occ.
ḥêl — 11 Occ.
ḥê·lām — 1 Occ.
ḥê·lî — 1 Occ.
ḥê·lōw — 4 Occ.
ḥêl — 1 Occ.
ha·ḥêl- — 1 Occ.
lə·ḥê·lōw — 1 Occ.
wā·ḥêl — 1 Occ.
wə·ḥêl — 1 Occ.
wə·ḥê·lōw — 1 Occ.

2425b
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