Lexical Summary Chelqath: Helkath Original Word: חֶלְקַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Helkath A form of chelqah; smoothness; Chelkath, a place in Palestine -- Helkath. see HEBREW chelqah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chalaq Definition "portion, possession," a city in Asher NASB Translation Helkath (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֶלְקָת֨ proper name, of a location (portion, possession) city in Asher Joshua 21:31, ᵐ5 Ξελκατ, A Θελκαθ, ᵐ5L Ξαλκαθ, = חֶלְקַת Joshua 19:25 ᵐ5 Ελεκεθ, A Ξελκαθ, ᵐ5L Ελκαθ. Topical Lexicon Helkath (חֶלְקַת, Strong’s 2520)Geographic Setting within Asher Helkath appears in the allotment given to the tribe of Asher when Joshua divided the land west of the Jordan: “Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Acshaph” (Joshua 19:25). The surrounding list of towns places Helkath in the fertile corridor running from the Plain of Acco eastward toward the foothills of Galilee. Several modern identifications have been proposed (for example, Tell el-Belqâṭ north-east of Acre or Tell Kallil near Shefa ‘Amr), but the precise site has not been confirmed. Its location near the maritime plain would have given Asher both agricultural richness and access to trade routes—a reminder of the material abundance promised to Israel when covenant faithfulness was maintained (Deuteronomy 8:7-10). Transfer to the Levites Although Helkath lay in Asher’s inheritance, it was later set apart for the Levitical family of Merari: “Helkath and Rehob—four cities, together with their pasturelands” (Joshua 21:31). This transfer fulfills the LORD’s earlier command that every tribe relinquish specific towns so that “the Levites may live among them” (Numbers 35:2-3). Helkath therefore illustrates two simultaneous truths: (1) each tribe received a defined inheritance, and (2) every tribe shared that inheritance with those who ministered at the sanctuary. By surrendering a piece of its own land, Asher tangibly supported the nationwide worship of Yahweh and demonstrated the interdependence of the tribes. Symbolism of the “Portion” Motif The root idea behind the name Helkath is “portion” or “allotment.” This local place-name thus points beyond itself to a pervasive biblical theme: • National Portion: Israel’s borders were fixed by divine decree (Numbers 34:1-12), reinforcing that every square cubit belonged first to the LORD (Leviticus 25:23). Historical Footnotes 1. Helkath stands as one of only two Asherite towns also listed as Levitical. Its paired city, Rehob, lay nearby, suggesting a small cluster of priestly influence within Asher’s western territory. Ministry Applications • Stewardship: Asher’s willingness to surrender Helkath challenges believers to view property and resources as stewardship rather than possession (1 Corinthians 4:7). Helkath’s brief appearance in Scripture therefore contributes to a sweeping narrative of divine allocation, covenant responsibility, and the promise of an eternal share in God Himself. Forms and Transliterations חֶלְקַ֥ת חֶלְקָת֙ חלקת chelKat ḥel·qaṯ ḥel·qāṯ ḥelqaṯ ḥelqāṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:25 HEB: וַיְהִ֖י גְּבוּלָ֑ם חֶלְקַ֥ת וַחֲלִ֖י וָבֶ֥טֶן NAS: Their territory was Helkath and Hali KJV: And their border was Helkath, and Hali, INT: become their territory was Helkath and Hali and Beten Joshua 21:31 2 Occurrences |
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