כׇּל־חֹזֶה
Col-Chozeh, an Israelite
Definition
כׇּל־חֹזֶה (Kol-Chôzeh) is a proper name meaning 'every seer' or 'all-seeing.' It refers to a specific Israelite individual, Col-hozeh, mentioned in the post-exilic books of Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 3:15, he is noted as the father of Shallun, who repaired the Fountain Gate and the wall of the Pool of Shelah. In Nehemiah 11:5, he is listed as the ancestor of Maaseiah, a leader of the tribe of Judah who resettled in Jerusalem. The name itself is a compound, but its application in scripture is consistently as a personal identifier for this man and his lineage within the restored community.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun is used exclusively in the book of Nehemiah, appearing only twice. Both occurrences are in genealogical or list contexts related to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the repopulation of the city after the Babylonian exile. In Nehemiah 3:15, it identifies a contributor to the wall's reconstruction through his son. In Nehemiah 11:5, it establishes the pedigree of a leading settler, showing Kol-Chozeh's family was considered significant in the re-established community.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew elements: כֹּל (kōl, H3605), meaning 'all, every, whole,' and חֹזֶה (ḥōzeh, H2374), meaning 'seer, visionary, or one who beholds.' חֹזֶה is a term for a prophet, often with a connotation of receiving divine visions. Thus, the name literally translates to 'every seer' or 'all-seeing,' possibly implying one with comprehensive prophetic insight or perception.
Semantic Range
While primarily a personal name, its etymology connects to the important biblical concept of prophetic vision and divine revelation. The element 'seer' (חֹזֶה) links Kol-Chozeh's identity to the prophetic tradition in Israel. His mention in Nehemiah highlights how individuals and families with names reflecting spiritual concepts were integral to the restoration of God's people, emphasizing that the rebuilding was not just physical but involved a community conscious of its spiritual heritage and calling.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, describing character, destiny, or a parent's hopes. A name meaning 'every seer' or 'all-seeing' would have been distinctive, possibly indicating a family associated with prophetic activity or one known for spiritual perception. In the post-exilic context of Nehemiah, recording such names in official lists affirmed the continuity and legitimacy of the returning community, connecting them to their historical and spiritual roots.
חֹזֶה (Chôzeh, H2374) — The base word meaning 'seer,' a type of prophet. נָבִיא (Nāḇîʾ, H5030) — A more common general term for 'prophet.' רֹאֶה (Rōʾeh, H7203) — Another term for 'seer,' often used interchangeably with חֹזֶה.
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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