חָלַל

Strong’s Definition

properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute)

Etymology & Derivation

a primitive root (compare H2470 (חָלָה)); also denominative (from H2485 (חָלִיל))

KJV Usage

begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.

Detailed Definition

From the Brown–Driver–Briggs (BDB) Hebrew lexicon outline.

• 1.to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin
• 2.(niphal)
• 3.(qal) to pierce
• 4.(pual) to be slain
• 5.(poel) to wound, pierce
• 6.(piel)
• 7.to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore
• 8.(poal) to be wounded
• 9.(piel) to play the flute or pipe
• 10.(pual) to profane (name of god)
• 11.(hiphil)
• 12.(hophal) to be begun

Scholarly Notes

Transliteration: châlal; Pronunciation: khaw-lal'