Lexical Summary Chul: Hul Original Word: חוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Chul, a son of Aram; also the region settled by himFrom chuwl; a circle; Chul, a son of Aram; also the region settled by him -- Hul. see HEBREW chuwl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chul Definition a son of Aram NASB Translation Hul (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs חוּל proper name, masculine a 'son' of Aram Genesis 10:23 = 1 Chronicles 1:17, named between עוּץ and גֶּתֶר ᵐ5 Ουλ. חום (√ of following; meaning dubious; Late Hebrew חום = be warm). Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning חׄוּל (Chul or Hul) is treated in Scripture as a personal name rather than a common noun. Though lexicons note the root idea of “twist” or “whirl,” the biblical focus is on a man who became a founder of a clan or people group in the ancient Near East. Occurrences and Context Genesis 10:23 and 1 Chronicles 1:17 place Hul among “the sons of Aram,” who himself was a son of Shem. These two genealogical notices form parallel records—the former in the Table of Nations after the Flood, the latter in the Chronicler’s opening survey of human history. No later narrative episode features Hul, yet the double attestation signals that he was remembered as a genuine historical figure whose descendants were known to Israel’s earliest writers. Genealogical Significance The Table of Nations (Genesis 10) lays out seventy original family lines from the three sons of Noah, climaxing in Abraham’s lineage and, ultimately, the Messiah. Hul’s name therefore contributes to this theological tapestry that anchors all nations in a single family tree and underscores accountability to the same Creator. Because Shem’s line is singled out for blessing (Genesis 9:26), Hul’s placement under Aram identifies him with the broader Aramean stock, relatives of Israel through their common ancestor, Shem. Geographical and Historical Insights Ancient sources connect Aramean settlements with the regions north and east of the Sea of Galilee and into modern Syria. Some scholars suggest Hul’s descendants may have inhabited a district near Lake Huleh in northern Galilee; the phonetic resemblance invites, though does not require, this identification. Assyrian records refer to a people called “Hulaya” in the upper Euphrates valley, which could reflect the same clan. Whatever the precise locale, Hul’s line clearly participated in the spread of Semitic peoples across the Fertile Crescent, shaping the linguistic and cultural milieu into which the patriarchs later journeyed. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations—By recording even obscure names like Hul, Scripture testifies that every family line exists under God’s providence (Deuteronomy 32:8). Ministry Applications • Biblical genealogies may seem distant, yet they model the value God places on individuals and family heritage. Pastors can encourage believers to trace and honor their own spiritual lineage. Christological and Eschatological Perspective Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy back to “Shem” (Luke 3:36), implicitly including the branch to which Hul belonged. Thus, even this little-known ancestor stands within the broader redemptive line culminating in Christ, “in whom all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Acts 3:25). At the consummation, Hul’s descendants—along with representatives of every nation—will join the redeemed multitude praising the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10). Summary Strong’s 2343 חׄוּל designates a son of Aram whose line contributed to the mosaic of nations emerging after the Flood. Though mentioned only twice, Hul’s inclusion reveals God’s meticulous concern for each people group, foreshadows the universal scope of the gospel, and encourages believers to value both the celebrated and the unknown within God’s unfolding plan. Forms and Transliterations וְח֖וּל וחול veChul wə·ḥūl wəḥūlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:23 HEB: אֲרָ֑ם ע֥וּץ וְח֖וּל וְגֶ֥תֶר וָמַֽשׁ׃ NAS: [were] Uz and Hul and Gether KJV: Uz, and Hul, and Gether, INT: of Aram Uz and Hul and Gether and Mash 1 Chronicles 1:17 2 Occurrences |
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