Lexical Summary chelekah: Portion, tract, plot, territory Original Word: חֵלְכָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance poor Or chelkah {khay-lek-aw'}; apparently from an unused root probably meaning to be dark or (figuratively) unhappy; a wretch, i.e. Unfortunate -- poor. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition hapless, unfortunate NASB Translation unfortunate (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs ֵחלְכָה read חַלְכֶּה, חֶלְכֶּה, or חָלְכֶּה, adjective helpless, unfortunate, only as substantive hapless, luckless one(s) — לְֵחלְכָה Psalm 10:8, ᵐ5 εἰς τὸν πένητα, ᵑ6 ᵑ7; חֵלֶ֑כָה Psalm 10:14 ᵐ5 ὁ πτωχός; חלכאים Psalm 10:10 Kt, read plural חַלְכָּאִים (׳חֶל, ׳חָל); Qr חֵל כָּאִים ᵐ5 τῶν πενήτων. In all text and meaning dubious (ᵑ0 reads חֵלְכָה = חֵילְךָ thine army; and חֵל כָּאִים Psalm 10:10 army of dejected ones, but this against usage of חֵל, and no such figurative sense of חַיִל, see O1 Hup De Bae Che, and critical note) [כָּאֶה] adjective cowed, Psalm 10:10 Qr חֵל כָּאִים; host of cowed ones, but read Kt חלכאים. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term חֵלְכָא occurs only three times, all within Psalm 10 (verses 8, 10, 14), describing those the wicked prey upon—people who are powerless to defend themselves. The term therefore paints a vivid picture of the “helpless” or “victim,” an image that threads through Scripture and invites reflection on God’s heart for the oppressed. Context in Psalm 10 Psalm 10 offers a lament against the arrogance of the wicked. Each occurrence of חֵלְכָא underscores the plight of the defenseless: • Psalm 10:8: “His eyes lurk in secret places toward the helpless.” The psalmist exposes the predatory schemes of the wicked, contrasts them with divine justice, and places ultimate hope in the LORD who sees, remembers, and acts. Portrait of the Helpless in Scripture 1. Old Testament parallels—The same vulnerable profile appears in passages such as Deuteronomy 10:18; Proverbs 22:22–23; and Isaiah 10:1–2, where God condemns exploitation of the poor, widow, orphan, and resident alien. God’s Concern for the Helpless Scripture consistently presents God as the defender of those identified by חֵלְכָא: God’s character is at stake in how the weak are treated; mistreatment provokes His judgment, while protection and advocacy align with His will. Messianic and New Testament Echoes The Messiah embodies God’s compassion for the helpless: Practical Ministry Applications 1. Advocacy—Believers imitate God by defending the powerless, opposing systems or individuals who mimic the predator of Psalm 10. Theological Implications • Divine sovereignty and human responsibility intertwine: God sees and will judge, yet He appoints His people as instruments of justice. Historical and Liturgical Significance Psalm 10 has long served in Jewish and Christian worship as a voice for the oppressed. In monastic tradition it frames intercession for persecuted believers. In modern missions it undergirds ministries combating human trafficking, poverty, and injustice, proving that the ancient cry of חֵלְכָא still resonates wherever victims need deliverance. Summary חֵלְכָא crystallizes the biblical theme of God’s special concern for the weak. Psalm 10 situates the helpless at the center of a cosmic drama: predators plot, victims suffer, and the righteous Judge intervenes. Every generation of believers is summoned to align with God’s perspective—seeing, serving, and shielding the helpless until He finally banishes all oppression and wipes away every tear. Forms and Transliterations חֵלֶ֑כָה חלכה כָּאִֽים׃ כאים׃ לְֽחֵלְכָ֥ה לחלכה cheLechah ḥê·le·ḵāh ḥêleḵāh kā’îm kā·’îm kaIm lə·ḥê·lə·ḵāh lecheleChah ləḥêləḵāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 10:8 HEB: נָקִ֑י עֵ֝ינָ֗יו לְֽחֵלְכָ֥ה יִצְפֹּֽנוּ׃ NAS: stealthily watch for the unfortunate. KJV: are privily set against the poor. INT: the innocent his eyes the unfortunate stealthily Psalm 10:10 Psalm 10:14 3 Occurrences |
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