2480. chalat

Lexical Summary

chalat: To decide, to determine, to make a decision

Original Word: חָלַט
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chalat
Pronunciation: khaw-lat'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-lat')
KJV: catch
NASB: catching
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to snatch at

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

catch

A primitive root; to snatch at -- catch.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to catch
NASB Translation
catching (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[חָלַט] verb only וַיַּחְלְטוּ הֲ מִמֶּנּוּ 1 Kings 20:33, read probably וַיַּחְלְטוּהָ מִמֶּנּוּ (compare ᵐ5 ἀνέλεξαν τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος ἀτοῦ and Sta^{G i. 445f.}) and they snatched it from him, caught the word from his lips; Sta^{§ 529 a as}

Qal; Kö^{i. 251} Ges^{§ 53}. 3 R 4 and most as

Hiph`il, with ִ   omitted

חלך (√ of following; possibly (si vera lectio) compare Arabic be black (passing into figurative sense, unfortunate, in Hebrew), see Bae^{Psa 10:8}; compare Aramaic חֲשׁוֺח).

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Occurrence

חָלַט appears once in Scripture, at 1 Kings 20:33. The verb describes a swift, almost predatory seizing of a spoken word—a moment of quick perception that turns a single phrase into leverage.

Historical Setting

After two crushing defeats at Samaria and Aphek, Aramean king Ben-Hadad is cornered. Ahab of Israel has him at his mercy. Ben-Hadad’s servants, draped in sackcloth and ropes, approach the Israelite king to plead for their master’s life. Listening intently, they wait for Ahab to utter something that can be exploited. When Ahab calls Ben-Hadad “my brother,” they instantly “seized the word” (וַיַּֽחֲלְטוּ) and press the advantage: “Your brother Ben-Hadad lives” (Berean Standard Bible).

Textual Usage

The word paints a vivid picture of opportunistic diplomacy. The Arameans do not merely hear Ahab; they pounce on his language, twisting a casual remark into a binding concession. The action is immediate and intentional, revealing how a single careless sentence can reshape political and spiritual outcomes.

Theological Significance

1. Divine justice versus human mercy. Ahab’s leniency contradicts earlier prophetic words of judgment against Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 20:28). By letting the enemy king live, Ahab rejects God’s revealed will, leading to personal censure and future disaster (1 Kings 20:35-43).
2. Discernment in speech. Scripture warns, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). Ahab’s unguarded use of “brother” illustrates the peril of rash words, especially from those in authority.
3. The schemes of the world. The Aramean envoys model the serpent-like shrewdness of worldly politics (compare Luke 16:8), contrasting sharply with the straightforward honesty God expects (Matthew 5:37).

Ministry Applications

• Leadership and Accountability. Pastors and elders must weigh compassion against fidelity to God’s commands. Mercy divorced from righteousness invites judgment, just as Ahab’s misplaced pity provoked prophetic rebuke.
• Guarded Speech. Believers are exhorted to be “quick to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19). A single offhand remark can be weaponized, affecting reputations, agreements, and gospel witness.
• Spiritual Warfare. The episode warns that spiritual enemies watch for moments of weakness. Vigilance in doctrine and practice keeps the church from conceding ground through careless compromise.

Practical Reflection

• Examine motives behind every “merciful” act: does it align with revealed truth?
• Cultivate prayerful self-control over language, recognizing that the hearer may “seize” unintended meanings.
• Teach congregations the balance of grace and obedience, avoiding the pitfalls of either harshness or misplaced tolerance.

Summary

חָלַט underscores how quickly spoken words can be captured and turned. In Ahab’s day it reversed the course of a war; in the life of a believer it can determine the faithfulness of witness. Vigilant speech and uncompromised obedience remain essential marks of God’s people.

Forms and Transliterations

וַיַּחְלְט֣וּ ויחלטו vaiyachleTu way·yaḥ·lə·ṭū wayyaḥləṭū

Englishman's Concordance

1 Kings 20:33
HEB: יְנַחֲשׁ֨וּ וַֽיְמַהֲר֜וּ וַיַּחְלְט֣וּ הֲמִמֶּ֗נּוּ וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
NAS: and quickly catching his word said,
KJV: whether [any thing would come] from him, and did hastily catch [it]: and they said,
INT: took and quickly catching at said

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2480
1 Occurrence

way·yaḥ·lə·ṭū — 1 Occ.