Lexical Summary hekal: temple, nave, palace Original Word: הֵיכָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance palace, temple Probably from yakol (in the sense of capacity); a large public building, such as a palace or temple -- palace, temple. see HEBREW yakol NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition a palace, temple NASB Translation court (1), nave (14), palace (7), palaces (4), temple (53), temples (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הֵיכָל noun masculineNah 2:7 (on Isaiah 44:28 compare Che Di) palace, temple (see also Late Hebrew id. temple, Aramaic הֵיכָלָא, הֵיכְלָא,  , palace, temple, Palmyrene הכלא temple Vog16; compare Arabic  (probably Aramaic loan-word according to Frä274), Ethiopic  temple; Assyrian ekallu, palace, temple; — probably loan-word from Akkadian e-gal, great house, compare SchrHI 148 COT 2 Kings 20:18 HptE-vowel 11 f. LehmannŠamaššumukîn 126, and on usage Dl338; > from יכל (וכל) = כול contain Ew§ 162 b Thes Add84; compare Ol§ 191 b HoffmAGG xxxvi. Mai 1889:25 Dlw; from an original יכל LagBN 121, but compare HomZMG 1890.547) absolute ׳ה Amos 8:3 27t. (׳הַה 1 Kings 6:17 +); construct הֵיכַל Micah 1:2 35t.; suffix הֵיכָלָ֑ךָ Psalm 48:10 2t.; הֵיכָלוֺ Jeremiah 50:28 7t.; plural הֵיכָלוֺת Hosea 8:14; construct הֵיכְלֵי Isaiah 13:22 2t.; suffix הֵיכְלֵיכֶם Joel 4:5; — never in Hexateuch, rarely in Samuel & pre-exile prophets; especially frequently in Ki Ezekiel & late prophets, also Chronicles; occasionally in Psalms; — 1 rather seld. (royal) palace (so almost always in Assyrian); of Ahab 1 Kings 21:1, of king of Babylon 2 Kings 20:18 = Isaiah 38:17; 2Chronicles 36:7, compare Daniel 1:4, and plural הֵיכְלֵי עֹנֶג Isaiah 13:22 luxurious palaces; at Nineveh נָמוֺג ׳וְהַה Nahum 2:7; not clearly defined are הֵיכַל מֶלֶךְ Psalm 45:16 and הֵיכְלֵי שֵׁן Psalm 45:9; הֵיכָלוֺת Hosea 8:14 (in Northern Israel); see also וְהֵילִילוּ שִׁירוֺת הֵיכָל בַּיּוֺם הַהוּא Amos 8:3 and palace-songs shall be howlings in that day; compare also (probably) of Phoenician palaces Joel 4:5; quite General הֵיכְלֵי מֶלֶךְ, Proverbs 30:28, & תַּבְנִית הֵיכָל Psalm 144:12 (simile of well-proportioned daughters); — usual term for royal palace in Hebrew is בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ, see בית. 2 of palace of God considered as king, = house of God or of ׳י, temple (compare ׳הַה Isaiah 6:1 e. below where prophet sees אדני ישֵׁב עַלכִּֿסֵּא): a. of early, pre-Solomonic house at Shiloh ׳הֵיכַל י 1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3 (= ׳בֵּית י 1 Samuel 1:7; 1 Samuel 3:15; מֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֺעֵד 1 Samuel 2:22 omitted by ᵐ5 We Klo Dr) with doors (דלתות, 1 Samuel 3:15) & a doorpost (מזוזה 1 Samuel 1:9) (compare 2 Samuel 22:7 = Psalm 18:7 e below). b. of Solomon's temple: specifically the hall or nave of the temple (the holy place, distinguished from the דְּבִּיר the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, and with this included in the more General term ׳בֵּית י or הַבַּיִת, 1 Kings 6:1,2+ often) 1 Kings 6:17 (compare 1 Kings 6:19; 1 Kings 6:20 & 1 Kings 6:2) also 1 Kings 6:5; 1 Kings 6:33; 1 Kings 7:50 2Chronicles 4:22; further 2 Chronicles 4:7,8; Ezekiel 8:16 (twice in verse) הָאוּלָם עַלמְּֿנֵי הֵיכַל הַבַּיִת 1 Kings 6:3; אֻלָם הַהֵיכָל 1 Kings 7:21 "" עַלמְּֿנֵי הַהֵיכָל2Chronicles 3:17; ׳הֵיכַל י 2 Kings 18:16; also in wide sense (apparently = ׳בֵּית י), ׳הֵיכַל י 2 Kings 23:4; 2 Kings 24:13 ("" ׳בֵּית י), Jeremiah 7:4 (3 t. in verse) ("" ׳בֵּית י Jeremiah 7:2), Jeremiah 24:1 see also נִקְמַת הֵיכָלוֺ Jeremiah 50:28; Jeremiah 51:11 (both "" ׳נִקְמַת י); 2 Chronicles 26:16; 27:2, compare 2 Chronicles 29:16 ("" ׳מְּנִ֫ימָה בֵית י; opposed to ׳י ׳חֲצַר ב), in all three ׳הֵיכַל י. c. hall or nave of Ezekiel's temple, the holy place (see above) (included in הַבַּיִת, the General term embracing the whole group of buildings) Ezekiel 41:1,4,15,21,23,25 (compare Ezekiel 41:20) Ezekiel 42:8. d. general designation of 2 nd temple, הַהֵיכָל Zechariah 8:9 ("" צְבָאוֺת ׳בֵּית י); oftener ׳הֵיכַל י Haggai 2:15,18; Zechariah 6:12,13,14,15; Ezra 3:6,10, הֵיכָלוֺ Malachi 3:1; Psalm 27:4; בּוֺנִים הֵיכָל ליהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Ezra 4:1; (הַ)הֵיכָל Nehemiah 6:10 (twice in verse) ("" בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים), Nehemiah 6:11; Isaiah 44:28, compare also Isaiah 66:6. — הֵיכָל occurs occasionally in Psalms, without conclusive evidence, in all cases, to what temple reference is had; apparently distinguished from ׳בֵּית י (as below b) Psalm 5:8 (הֵיכַל קָדְשְׁךָ; see בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ Psalm 5:7); perhaps also Psalm 68:30 (distinguished from Holy of Holies by De Che; yet verse obscure); but no distinction evident Psalm 79:1; Psalm 138:2; Jonah 2:5; Jonah 2:8 (all הֵיכַל קָדְשְׁךָ); compare קְדשׁ הֵיכָל֑ךָ Psalm 65:5 ("" בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ); as containing the worshipping assembly Psalm 48:10. e. of the heavenly temple where ׳י sits enthroned Isaiah 6:1; his abode in the heavens 2 Samuel 22:7 = Psalm 18:7; Psalm 11:4 ("" שָׁמַיִם; compare זְבֻל קָדְשׁוֺ Isaiah 63:15, "" id.), Isaiah 29:9; אֲדֹנָי מֵהֵיכַל קָדְשׁוֺ Micah 1:2, compare Habakkuk 2:20 ויהוה בְּהֵיכַל קָדְשׁוֺ. Topical Lexicon Scope of the Word in Scripture הֵיכָל appears roughly eighty times, spanning historical narrative, poetry, prophecy, and apocalyptic vision. Its contexts range from Solomon’s physical structure in Jerusalem (for example, 1 Kings 6:5; 2 Kings 24:13) to the heavenly dwelling of the Lord (Psalm 11:4; Habakkuk 2:20). The term thus embraces both earthly architecture and transcendent reality, binding together visible worship and unseen glory. The Solomonic Temple In the books of Kings and Chronicles הֵיכָל serves as a key designation for the sanctuary proper—the rectangular “main hall” that followed the porch and preceded the Most Holy Place. It was here that the golden altar of incense, the table for the bread of the Presence, and the lampstands were set in ordered symmetry (1 Kings 7:48). The vocabulary underscores the covenantal purpose of the structure: a divinely ordained meeting place between God and His people. When Jehoiakim stripped the articles of gold, the historian laments that he “cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD” (2 Kings 24:13), emphasizing both sacrilege and national judgment. Decline, Exile, and Prophetic Warning Jeremiah repeatedly warns that confident cries of “The temple of the LORD” (Jeremiah 7:4) cannot shield Judah from covenant curses. הֵיכָל becomes a tragic symbol: a house rendered desolate when the people will not heed the Word delivered within its courts (Jeremiah 7:14). Ezekiel, already in exile, is shown the departure of the glory from the temple (Ezekiel 8:16; 10:4) and later the vision of a restored sanctuary measuring far grander than Solomon’s (Ezekiel 40–48), assuring that divine presence, once forfeited, will yet return in purity. Second Temple Usage and Renewed Hope After the exile, the rebuilt house is again called הֵיכָל (Ezra 3:6; Haggai 2:9). Though modest compared with Solomon’s, Scripture affirms that “the glory of this latter house will be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9), a promise that ultimately reaches beyond Herodian renovations to the coming of Messiah Himself, who taught daily within its precincts (Luke 19:47) and in His body fulfilled everything the earthly structure prefigured (John 2:19–21). Heavenly Sanctuary Several psalms and prophets extend the word heavenward: “The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne” (Psalm 11:4). The pairing of temple and throne conveys simultaneous intimacy and sovereignty: worshipers draw near, yet the enthroned King rules all creation. Habakkuk echoes, “The LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20), linking reverence on earth to the reality of celestial worship. Symbolic and Prophetic Dimensions 1. Moral purity: Isaiah pictures seraphim proclaiming “Holy, holy, holy” around the throne-temple (Isaiah 6:1–3). Human lips must be cleansed with fire from this altar to serve. Liturgical Resonance Throughout the Psalter, the word summons worship: “I will bow down toward Your holy temple in reverent awe of You” (Psalm 5:7). Even when the edifice lay in ruins, exiles prayed facing the site (Daniel 6:10), demonstrating confidence that God’s gracious name remained there. The term grounds the rhythms of sacrifice, song, prayer, and festival in a specific place chosen by God. Christological Fulfillment Jesus declares Himself greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6) and pronounces judgment on its corruption (Matthew 21:13). At His death, the veil was torn (Matthew 27:51), signifying immediate access to God through His once-for-all sacrifice. Hebrews develops the theme: Christ ministers “in the true tabernacle set up by the Lord” (Hebrews 8:2), entering the heavenly הֵיכָל not with animal blood but with His own, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11–12). Continuing Ministry in the Church Believers are now “being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). The corporate body becomes a living temple, yet the full reality awaits: “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22). Thus the word that once pointed to cedar and gold now directs faith to the incarnate Son and the consummated Kingdom. Summary הֵיכָל traces a canonical arc from Solomon’s golden sanctuary to the final New Jerusalem. It witnesses to God’s desire to dwell among His people, His intolerance of idolatry, His readiness to restore, and His ultimate purpose fulfilled in Christ. Earthly structures, heavenly visions, and redeemed community all converge in this word, calling every generation to worship the Holy One “in spirit and in truth” while anticipating the day His dwelling is fully and forever with mankind. Forms and Transliterations בְּֽהֵ֘יכַ֤ל בְּהֵ֣יכְלֵי בְּהֵ֣יכַל בְּהֵיכַ֖ל בְּהֵיכַ֣ל בְּהֵיכַ֥ל בְּהֵיכָל֖וֹ בְּהֵיכָלֽוֹ׃ בַּֽהֵיכָ֔ל בהיכל בהיכלו בהיכלו׃ בהיכלי הֵ֥יכְלֵי הֵֽיכַל־ הֵֽיכָל֔וֹת הֵיכַ֖ל הֵיכַ֣ל הֵיכַ֤ל הֵיכַ֥ל הֵיכַ֪ל הֵיכָ֔ל הֵיכָֽל׃ הֵיכָל֙ הֵיכָל֜וֹ הֵיכָלֶֽךָ׃ הֵיכָלֽוֹ׃ הַֽהֵיכָ֑ל הַֽהֵיכָ֖ל הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל הַֽהֵיכָל֙ הַׅהֵׅיׅכָֽׅלׅ׃ הַהֵיכָ֑ל הַהֵיכָ֔ל הַהֵיכָ֖ל הַהֵיכָ֥ל הַהֵיכָֽל׃ ההיכל ההיכל׃ היכל היכל־ היכל׃ היכלו היכלו׃ היכלות היכלי היכלך׃ וְהֵיכַ֥ל וְהֵיכָ֖ל וְהַֽהֵיכָ֖ל וְהַֽהֵיכָל֙ וּבְהֵיכָל֑וֹ ובהיכלו וההיכל והיכל לְהֵיכְלֵיכֶֽם׃ לַֽהֵיכָ֖ל לַהֵיכָ֖ל להיכל להיכליכם׃ מֵֽ֭הֵיכָלֶךָ מֵֽהֵיכָ֑ל מֵהֵֽיכָלוֹ֙ מֵהֵיכַ֣ל מֵהֵיכַ֥ל מֵהֵיכָל֣וֹ מהיכל מהיכלו מהיכלך ba·hê·ḵāl baheiChal bahêḵāl bə·hê·ḵā·lōw bə·hê·ḵal bə·hê·ḵə·lê beheiChal beheichaLo beHeichelei bəhêḵal bəhêḵālōw bəhêḵəlê ha·hê·ḵāl haheiChal hahêḵāl hê·ḵā·le·ḵā hê·ḵā·lō·wṯ hê·ḵā·lōw hê·ḵal hê·ḵāl hê·ḵal- hê·ḵə·lê heiChal heichaLecha heichaLo heichaLot Heichlei hêḵal hêḵāl hêḵal- hêḵāleḵā hêḵālōw hêḵālōwṯ hêḵəlê la·hê·ḵāl laheiChal lahêḵāl lə·hê·ḵə·lê·ḵem leheicheleiChem ləhêḵəlêḵem mê·hê·ḵā·le·ḵā mê·hê·ḵā·lōw mê·hê·ḵal mê·hê·ḵāl meheiChal Meheichalcha meheichaLo mêhêḵal mêhêḵāl mêhêḵāleḵā mêhêḵālōw ū·ḇə·hê·ḵā·lōw ūḇəhêḵālōw uveheichaLo vehaheiChal veheiChal wə·ha·hê·ḵāl wə·hê·ḵal wə·hê·ḵāl wəhahêḵāl wəhêḵal wəhêḵālLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 1:9 HEB: עַל־ מְזוּזַ֖ת הֵיכַ֥ל יְהוָֽה׃ NAS: by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. KJV: by a post of the temple of the LORD. INT: by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD 1 Samuel 3:3 2 Samuel 22:7 1 Kings 6:3 1 Kings 6:5 1 Kings 6:17 1 Kings 6:33 1 Kings 7:21 1 Kings 7:50 1 Kings 21:1 2 Kings 18:16 2 Kings 20:18 2 Kings 23:4 2 Kings 24:13 2 Chronicles 3:17 2 Chronicles 4:7 2 Chronicles 4:8 2 Chronicles 4:22 2 Chronicles 26:16 2 Chronicles 27:2 2 Chronicles 29:16 2 Chronicles 36:7 Ezra 3:6 Ezra 3:10 Ezra 4:1 80 Occurrences |
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