בֶּן־חַיִל
Ben-Chail, an Israelite
Definition
בֶּן־חַיִל (Ben-Chayil) is a proper name meaning 'son of might' or 'son of valor.' It refers to a specific individual, Ben-Chail, who was one of the officials sent by King Jehoshaphat to teach the law in the cities of Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7). The name is a compound of two common Hebrew words, signifying a person characterized by strength, capability, or noble character. In its single biblical occurrence, it identifies a trusted leader tasked with a religious and educational mission during a period of national reform.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 17:7. It functions strictly as a personal name for one of the princes, Levites, and priests dispatched by King Jehoshaphat. The context is administrative and religious, as these officials were commissioned to instruct the people from the Book of the Law. There are no other usages or patterns, as it is a unique name for a specific historical figure.
Etymology
The name is a compound construct from בֵּן (ben, H1121), meaning 'son,' and חַיִל (chayil, H2428), meaning 'strength,' 'might,' 'army,' or 'wealth.' It follows a common Hebrew naming pattern where 'son of X' describes a person's character or destiny. חַיִל often denotes martial prowess or virtuous capability, so 'son of might' implies one who embodies these qualities.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not a central theological term, its context in 2 Chronicles 17:7 is significant. Ben-Chail served during Jehoshaphat's reforms, which prioritized teaching God's law to secure national blessing. The name's meaning—'son of might'—aligns with the ideal that true strength for God's people comes from obedience to and instruction in His Word. It highlights that leadership in God's kingdom is rooted in spiritual fidelity and the dissemination of truth.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive, conveying hopes about a child's character or role. A name meaning 'son of might' would associate an individual with qualities of strength, leadership, and social standing. The specific mission in 2 Chronicles—teaching the law—elevates this 'might' from purely military to include moral and instructional authority, reflecting the integrated nature of spiritual and civil leadership under the covenant.
גִּבּוֹר (gibbor, H1368) — a general term for a mighty man or warrior, emphasizing strength, whereas Ben-Chayil is a proper name. אִישׁ־חַיִל (ish-chayil, H2428) — a phrase meaning 'man of valor,' a descriptive title, not a personal name.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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