Lexical Summary Cheled: World, life, lifetime Original Word: חֵלֶד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Heled The same as cheled; Cheled, an Israelite -- Heled. see HEBREW cheled NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as choled Definition one of David's heroes NASB Translation Heled (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֵ֫לֶד proper name, masculine (Sabean proper name חֿלד DHMEpigr. Denkm. 35) one of David's heroes, son of בַּעֲנָה 1 Chronicles 11:30 A ᵐ5L Αλαδ (= חֶלְדַּי 1 Chronicles 27:15 = חֵלֶב 2 Samuel 23:29). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence and Context Cheled is named once in Scripture: “Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite” (1 Chronicles 11:30). The verse appears in the Chronicle’s roster of “the mighty men who were loyal to David” (1 Chronicles 11:10). These warriors rallied to David during his years of flight from Saul and later formed the backbone of his kingdom. Their inclusion testifies to God’s provision of courageous, covenant–minded supporters for the anointed king. Historical and Geographical Setting Cheled’s descriptor, “the Netophathite,” links him to Netophah, a small settlement south of Bethlehem near the Judean highlands. Netophah is also mentioned in Ezra 2:22 and Nehemiah 7:26 among post-exilic returnees, indicating the town’s continued identity through centuries of upheaval. Its proximity to Bethlehem, David’s hometown, suggests early ties of loyalty between the Netophathites and David even before he ascended Israel’s throne. Cheled Among David’s Mighty Men 1 Chronicles groups Cheled with the “Thirty,” a corps of elite fighters distinguished for unusual valor. The parallel list in 2 Samuel 23:29 reads “Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite,” reflecting a minor spelling variation but describing the same man. Cheled’s presence in this register places him alongside luminaries such as Benaiah son of Jehoiada (1 Chronicles 11:22) and Asahel brother of Joab (11:26). The caliber of these men underscores Cheled’s proven bravery and skill in battle. Textual Observations 1. Variants: The Chronicle’s “Cheled” and Samuel’s “Heleb” illustrate routine consonantal shifts preserved by the inspired text while leaving its message intact. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. God’s Use of the Obscure: Cheled surfaces only once, yet the Spirit deemed his record essential. The single mention affirms that no act of faithfulness escapes divine notice (Hebrews 6:10). Lessons for Today • Unrecorded deeds still matter. Ministries often require unseen perseverance, yet Scripture’s brief nod to Cheled proves that God chronicles every faithful act. Forms and Transliterations חֵ֥לֶד חלד Cheled ḥê·leḏ ḥêleḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 11:30 HEB: מַהְרַי֙ הַנְּטֹ֣פָתִ֔י חֵ֥לֶד בֶּֽן־ בַּֽעֲנָ֖ה NAS: the Netophathite, Heled the son KJV: the Netophathite, Heled the son INT: Maharai the Netophathite Heled the son of Baanah |
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