2520. Chelqath
Lexical Summary
Chelqath: Helkath

Original Word: חֶלְקַת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Chelqath
Pronunciation: khel-kath'
Phonetic Spelling: (khel-kath')
KJV: Helkath
NASB: Helkath
Word Origin: [a form of H2513 (חֶלקָה - Portion)]

1. smoothness
2. Chelkath, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Helkath

A form of chelqah; smoothness; Chelkath, a place in Palestine -- Helkath.

see HEBREW chelqah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from 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).
• Priestly Portion: The Levites, though dispersed, possessed the LORD as their unique share—“I am your portion and your inheritance” (Numbers 18:20). Helkath becomes a concrete instance where the tribe of Levi experienced that promise.
• Personal Portion: The “portion” language ultimately finds its richest expression in individual faith. “The LORD is my portion,” writes the psalmist (Psalm 119:57; cf. Lamentations 3:24), echoing the security of an inheritance that neither exile nor death can erase (1 Peter 1:3-4).

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.
2. After the divided monarchy, the coastal region frequently changed hands (Phoenician, Assyrian, and later Hellenistic control). While direct references to Helkath disappear from later Scriptures, its Levitical designation implies ongoing spiritual responsibility even amid political upheaval.
3. Rabbinic tradition occasionally connects Helkath with agricultural tithes, seeing the surrounding pasturelands as a practical means of sustaining Levites who had no broader tribal acreage.

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).
• Support of Gospel Workers: Just as Helkath underwrote priestly ministry, the New Testament urges congregations to “share all good things with the one who teaches” (Galatians 6:6).
• Shared Identity: Helkath reminds the Church that local congregations participate in a larger, interconnected body. What one “tribe” offers strengthens the worship of the whole (Ephesians 4:16).
• Hope of Inheritance: The place-name keeps before the reader the certainty of an imperishable portion reserved “in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4), grounding present obedience in future security.

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 ḥelqāṯ
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: אֶת־ חֶלְקָת֙ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ
NAS: Helkath with its pasture lands
KJV: Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob
INT: Helkath pasture and Rehob

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2520
2 Occurrences


ḥel·qaṯ — 2 Occ.

2519
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