Lexical Summary challamish: Flint, rock Original Word: חַלָּמִישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance flinty, rock Probably from chalam (in the sense of hardness); flint -- flint(-y), rock. see HEBREW chalam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition flint NASB Translation flint (4), flinty (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חַלָּמִישׁ noun masculine flint; — חַלָּמִישׁ Deuteronomy 8:15 3t.; construct חַלְמִישׁ Deuteronomy 32:13; — flint ׳צוּר הַח rock of flint = flinty rock, whence water flowed for Israel in desert Deuteronomy 8:15, and (no צור) Psalm 114:8; worked by miners Job 28:9; hyperb. oil out of צוּר ׳ח Deuteronomy 32:13 flint of rock = rocky flint (poetry); — in simile of firmness עַלכֵּֿן שַׂמְתִּי מָּנַי כַּחַלָּמִישׁ Isaiah 50:7. חֵלֹן, חֹלוֺן see below I. and II. חוֺל. Topical Lexicon Physical and Cultural Background In the ancient Near East the dense, siliceous rock denoted by this term was prized for its durability, ability to spark fire, and capacity to take a razor-sharp edge. Because it resisted weathering, it became a natural emblem of hardness and permanence in Hebrew thought. Wilderness Provision and the Miracle of Water Deuteronomy 8:15 recounts Israel’s passage “through the vast and dreadful wilderness… He brought you water from the rock of flint.” Psalm 114:8 echoes the same marvel, “who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water.” The pairing of the most unyielding stone with life-giving water magnifies divine grace: Yahweh supplies abundance where nature offers none. Paul later identifies the wilderness rock with Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4), underscoring the typological line that living water flows ultimately from Him. Covenant Blessing and Agricultural Abundance Deuteronomy 32:13 shifts the imagery from thirst to plenty: “He nourished him with honey from the rock, and oil from the flinty crag.” In a land notorious for rugged terrain, even the hardest elevations yield sweetness and richness under the covenant Lord. The verse pictures Israel riding the high places not through human ingenuity but through divine largesse, making flint a silent testimony that every harvest is traced to God’s initiative. Human Industry and Its Limits Job 28:9 notes that humanity “assaults the flinty rock and undermines the mountains,” celebrating technological achievement while preparing the reader for the chapter’s conclusion that wisdom remains hidden with God. The hardest stone can be excavated, yet the deepest truths cannot be forced; only revelation grants access (Job 28:23–28). Flint thus frames the contrast between human capability and divine omniscience. Indomitable Resolve of the Servant Isaiah 50:7 transfers the metaphor from geology to determination: “I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” The Servant’s steadfastness prefigures Jesus Christ, who “set His face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). The image assures believers that redemptive purpose is unbreakable, secured by the God who helps His Servant. Christological Connections Water from the flinty rock anticipates the living water poured out by Christ; honey and oil from the crag foreshadow spiritual riches in Him; the Servant’s flint-like face models His unwavering march to the cross. Together the passages invite worship of the One who both fractures the rock and embodies its strength. Ministry Applications • Encourage perseverance: The Servant’s resolve motivates believers to remain unyielding under gospel opposition. Intertextual Harmony From Torah, to Wisdom literature, to Prophets, the recurring image of flint forms a coherent testimony: the God of Israel can draw life from the unyielding, riches from the barren, and victory from apparent defeat. Forms and Transliterations בַּֽ֭חַלָּמִישׁ בחלמיש הַֽחַלָּמִֽישׁ׃ החלמיש׃ חַ֝לָּמִ֗ישׁ חלמיש כַּֽחַלָּמִ֔ישׁ כחלמיש מֵחַלְמִ֥ישׁ מחלמיש ba·ḥal·lā·mîš Bachallamish baḥallāmîš challaMish ha·ḥal·lā·mîš HachallaMish haḥallāmîš ḥal·lā·mîš ḥallāmîš ka·ḥal·lā·mîš kachallaMish kaḥallāmîš mê·ḥal·mîš mechalMish mêḥalmîšLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 8:15 HEB: מַ֔יִם מִצּ֖וּר הַֽחַלָּמִֽישׁ׃ NAS: for you out of the rock of flint. KJV: water out of the rock of flint; INT: water of the rock of flint Deuteronomy 32:13 Job 28:9 Psalm 114:8 Isaiah 50:7 5 Occurrences |
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