Lexical Summary chaliphah: Change, exchange, relief, renewal Original Word: חלִיפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance change, course From chalaph; alternation -- change, course. see HEBREW chalaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chalaph Definition a change NASB Translation change (2), changes (8), hardship (1), relays (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חֲלִיפָה] noun feminine a change (from idea of replacing, changing, substituting, compare Arabic, Aramaic) — suffix חֲלִיפָתִי Job 14:14; plural absolute חֲלִיפוֺת Judges 14:19 3t.; construct id. Judges 14:13; 2 Kings 5:5; חֲלִפוֺת Genesis 45:22 2t.; חֲלִפֹת Genesis 45:22; Judges 14:12; — 1 change of raiment שׂמלת ׳ח Genesis 45:22 (twice in verse), elsewhere בגדים ׳ח Judges 14:12,13; 2 Kings 5:5,22,23; so without בגדים Judges 14:19. 2 relays 1 Kings 5:28; compare וצבא ׳ח Job 10:17 (Di). 3 revival after death, under figure of relief from military service Job 14:14. 4 changing, varying, of course of life אֲשֶׁר אֵין חֲלִיפוֺת לָ֑מוֺ Psalm 55:20 of the wicked, with whom are no changings, i.e. they do evil incessantly, steadily ("" ולא יָרְאוּ אלהים) so Kmp Hu De Sch and others; but the expression is peculiar and obscure; Calv vicissitudes; Hengst discharges; text perhaps corrupt. Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical Usage The noun occurs twelve times and clusters around two observable spheres: tangible exchanges of clothing and intangible cycles of service, trial, or renewal. Together these settings unveil a biblical theology of change—whether external garments or internal seasons—always under God’s sovereign oversight. Clothing Bestowed as Honor and Covenant Token • Genesis 45:22 shows Joseph clothing his brothers, signaling reconciliation and the restoration of family bonds. Garments become a visible pledge of grace (“He gave to all of them a change of clothes, but to Benjamin he gave…five changes of clothes”). Throughout Scripture, gifted garments foreshadow the covering of sin with righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) and anticipate the wedding clothes supplied by the King (Matthew 22:11-14). Patterns of Service and Ordered Rotation 1 Kings 5:14 applies the term to Solomon’s labor force: “He sent them to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand a month.” Alternating crews prevent exhaustion, mirror Sabbath rhythms, and reveal divine wisdom in administration. The same principle later structures priestly courses (Luke 1:8), reminding ministries today to balance diligence with rest. Seasons of Trial and Hope of Renewal Job laments “hardship upon hardship” (Job 10:17), perceiving life as relentless changes of affliction. Yet faith pierces through: “All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes” (Job 14:14). The concept embraces both present instability and future transformation, aligning with Paul’s assurance that mortality will be “swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 5:4). Warning against Spiritual Stagnation Psalm 55:19 diagnoses the wicked: “because they do not change and they do not fear God.” Refusing holy change is evidence of hardened hearts and invites divine discipline. The verse balances Job’s yearning for change; righteous hope contrasts with rebellious immobility. Theological Threads 1. Divine Provision: Every gift of clothing ultimately points to the Lord who “garments” His people with salvation. Ministry Application • Practice generous hospitality; tangible gifts can become instruments of reconciliation like Joseph’s garments. Christological Reflection The repeated motif of exchanged garments anticipates the Gospel exchange at the cross: the Sinless One bearing our filthy rags that we might be “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). All biblical “changes” converge on the ultimate transformation promised at His return, when “we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Forms and Transliterations הַחֲלִיפ֔וֹת החליפות חֲלִיפ֔וֹת חֲלִיפ֖וֹת חֲלִיפ֣וֹת חֲלִיפ֥וֹת חֲלִיפָתִֽי׃ חֲלִפ֣וֹת חֲלִפ֥וֹת חֲלִפֹ֥ת חליפות חליפתי׃ חלפות חלפת chalifaTi chaliFot ha·ḥă·lî·p̄ō·wṯ ḥă·lî·p̄ā·ṯî ḥă·li·p̄ō·wṯ ḥă·lî·p̄ō·wṯ ḥă·li·p̄ōṯ hachaliFot haḥălîp̄ōwṯ ḥălîp̄āṯî ḥălip̄ōṯ ḥălip̄ōwṯ ḥălîp̄ōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 45:22 HEB: נָתַ֛ן לָאִ֖ישׁ חֲלִפ֣וֹת שְׂמָלֹ֑ת וּלְבִנְיָמִ֤ן NAS: of them he gave changes of garments, KJV: each man changes of raiment; INT: gave another changes of garments to Benjamin Genesis 45:22 Judges 14:12 Judges 14:13 Judges 14:19 1 Kings 5:14 2 Kings 5:5 2 Kings 5:22 2 Kings 5:23 Job 10:17 Job 14:14 Psalm 55:19 12 Occurrences |
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