Bible Word Study
חֵילָה
chêylâh · an intrenchment
חֵילָה
an intrenchment
Definition
חֵילָה (chêylâh) refers to a defensive fortification, specifically an entrenchment or bulwark. It describes a military structure built for protection, often a rampart or wall surrounding a city. In its single biblical occurrence in Psalm 48:13, it is used metaphorically to describe the defensive walls of Zion, symbolizing God's protection over Jerusalem. The term emphasizes strength and security derived from a fortified position.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 48:13. In this context, it is used poetically within a song of Zion, instructing the people to survey the 'bulwarks' (חֵילָה) of Jerusalem as a testament to God's enduring defense and might. The usage is metaphorical, shifting from a purely military sense to a theological affirmation of divine protection.
Etymology
Derived from the root חיל (ḥyl), meaning 'strength,' 'power,' or 'army.' It is the feminine form of חַיִל (ḥayil, H2428), which commonly denotes strength, wealth, or military force. The development from 'strength' to 'fortification' reflects how physical structures embody and project power. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to concepts of strength and fortification.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, חֵילָה carries theological weight in Psalm 48 as it transforms a physical fortification into a symbol of God's sovereign protection. The 'bulwarks' of Zion are not merely human-made defenses but represent God's unshakable guardianship over His city and people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting how God's strength is the true source of security, inviting trust beyond physical structures. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, cities relied on massive walls and earthworks for survival. A 'bulwark' (חֵילָה) would have been a familiar, vital defensive feature, often a raised embankment or reinforced wall. This cultural reality grounds the metaphor in Psalm 48, where listeners would instantly associate the term with safety and communal identity, deepening the impact of attributing such security to God. חוֹמָה (chômâh, H2346) — a general term for a wall, often city walls. מִבְצָר (mivtsar, H4013) — a fortress or stronghold, emphasizing a fortified place rather than the wall itself. מָעוֹז (maʿoz, H4581) — a place of refuge or strength, often used for God as a stronghold.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]