6768. Tseleq
Lexical Summary
Tseleq: Scar, wound

Original Word: צֶלֶק
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Tseleq
Pronunciation: tseh'-lek
Phonetic Spelling: (tseh'-lek)
KJV: Zelek
NASB: Zelek
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to split]

1. fissure
2. Tselek, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Zelek

From an unused root meaning to split; fissure; Tselek, an Israelite -- Zelek.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an Ammonite hero of David
NASB Translation
Zelek (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
צֶ֫לֶק proper name, masculine Ammonite hero of David 2 Samuel 23:37 = 1 Chronicles 11:39, Ελειε, Σελ (λ) η (κ), Σαλααδ, etc.

צִלְּתַי see III. צלל. P.853

Topical Lexicon
Identity and Settings

Tselek (Zelek) appears twice in Scripture, both times in the elite roster of “the mighty men” who served King David (2 Samuel 23:37; 1 Chronicles 11:39). He is uniquely identified as “the Ammonite,” showing that he was born outside Israel’s tribal lines yet rose to distinction within Israel’s army.

Biblical Occurrences (Berean Standard Bible)

2 Samuel 23:37 – “Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer for Joab son of Zeruiah.”

1 Chronicles 11:39 – “Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;”

Historical Context

1. Ammon–Israel relations: In the eras of Saul and David, Ammon was often hostile toward Israel (1 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 10). Yet David’s reign witnessed individual Ammonites shifting loyalty, demonstrating the magnetic draw of God’s king and covenant community.
2. David’s mighty men: The list includes Israelites from various tribes and several foreigners (e.g., Ittai the Gittite, Uriah the Hittite). Their cohesion under David illustrates a microcosm of the promised blessing to the nations through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3).

Role among David’s Mighty Men

Tselek’s placement near the end of the elite “Thirty” signifies seasoned valor, though specific exploits are not recorded. His pairing with Naharai, Joab’s armor-bearer, hints at proximity to key command structures. Serving beside Joab’s chief guard implies trustworthiness, discipline, and intimate involvement in strategic operations during David’s military campaigns.

Spiritual and Theological Significance

1. Inclusion of the nations: Tselek stands as tangible evidence that faithfulness to the LORD is not determined by lineage but by allegiance to His anointed king. His service foreshadows the New Testament vision of Gentile believers grafted into God’s people (Romans 11:17).
2. Covenant loyalty: By siding with David, Tselek implicitly embraced Israel’s God over the gods of Ammon (Judges 11:24). Such commitment echoes Ruth’s pledge, “Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
3. Kingdom ethics: The mighty men exemplify courage dedicated to a righteous ruler. Tselek’s life reinforces the principle that courage rooted in fidelity to God’s purposes outlives national hostilities or personal background.

Ministry Applications

• Welcoming outsiders: Local congregations should mirror David’s open-handed leadership by valuing and integrating believers from every background who profess loyalty to Christ, the greater Son of David (Ephesians 2:19).
• Valor in obscurity: Tselek’s deeds are largely unrecorded, yet his name is eternally inscribed in Scripture. Faithful service, even unnoticed by men, is honored by God (Hebrews 6:10).
• Cross-cultural teamwork: Unified mission advances when personal lineage is subordinated to shared devotion to the King. Christian ministry teams today thrive by embracing diverse gifts for one Gospel purpose (Philippians 1:27).

Related Texts for Study

Genesis 12:3; Ruth 1:16; 1 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 10; Romans 11:17; Ephesians 2:11-22; Hebrews 11:32-34.

Forms and Transliterations
צֶ֖לֶק צלק ṣe·leq ṣeleq Tzelek
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Samuel 23:37
HEB: צֶ֖לֶק הָעַמֹּנִ֑י ס
NAS: Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai
KJV: Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai
INT: Zelek the Ammonite Naharai

1 Chronicles 11:39
HEB: צֶ֖לֶק הָעַמּוֹנִ֑י נַחְרַי֙
NAS: Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai
KJV: Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai
INT: Zelek the Ammonite Naharai

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6768
2 Occurrences


ṣe·leq — 2 Occ.

6767d
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