2510. Chalaq
Lexical Summary
Chalaq: Halak

Original Word: חָלָק
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Chalaq
Pronunciation: khaw-lak'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-lawk')
KJV: Halak
NASB: Halak
Word Origin: [the same as H2509 (חָלָק - flattering)]

1. bare
2. Chalak, a mountain of Idumaea

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Halak

The same as chalaq; bare; Chalak, a mountain of Idumaea -- Halak.

see HEBREW chalaq

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from chalaq
Definition
"smooth," a mountain S. of the Dead Sea
NASB Translation
Halak (2).

Topical Lexicon
Designation and Meaning

Chalaq appears only as the place-name “Mount Halak” in the conquest narrative of Joshua (Joshua 11:17; 12:7). The term evokes the idea of a “smooth” or “bare” mountain ridge, suggesting an exposed, easily recognizable landmark on the southern approaches to Canaan.

Geographical Setting

Mount Halak “ascends toward Seir” (Joshua 11:17), linking the Negev of southern Judah with the hill country of Edom. Joshua 12:7 lists it as the southernmost point of Israel’s victories, opposite Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon beneath Mount Hermon at the northern extreme. Together, the two sites trace a longitudinal axis that frames the entire land promised to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 15:18–21), effectively marking the southern and northern termini of the conquest.

Biblical Narrative and Historical Significance

1. Boundary Marker of Fulfillment: By naming Mount Halak first in the catalogue of defeated kings (Joshua 12:7), the text underscores that Israel’s divinely mandated advance stretched from south to north without omission.
2. Strategic High Ground: The mountain’s proximity to Seir implies dominance over the caravan routes that skirted Edom. Control of Halak symbolized the disruption of Canaanite-Edomite cooperation and secured Judah’s southern flank.
3. Memorial of Covenant Faithfulness: The paired references serve as literary bookends in Joshua, testifying that “not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45).

Theological Themes

• Comprehensive Victory: The sweep “from Mount Halak to Baal Gad” illustrates the totality of God’s deliverance, prefiguring Christ’s full and final triumph over every dominion (Colossians 2:15).
• Defined Inheritance: God delineates territory with precision, reinforcing that His gifts are both generous and orderly (Psalm 16:5–6).
• Covenant Assurance: The fixed landmark encourages believers to trust that divine boundaries—even when barren or “smooth”—remain secure (Hebrews 6:17–18).

Ministry Application

• Spiritual Mapping: Pastors may draw on Mount Halak as an image of setting clear spiritual borders—rejecting compromise on the “southern frontiers” of personal holiness.
• Remembering Milestones: Halak invites congregations to mark God’s past victories, fostering gratitude and confidence for future challenges.
• Whole-Land Vision: Just as Joshua’s campaign left no region unconquered, the Great Commission calls the church to pursue a complete global witness (Matthew 28:18–20), avoiding selective obedience.

Archaeological and Scholarly Considerations

Exact identification remains debated. Proposed sites include Jebel Halaq and the cliffs overlooking the western Aravah. The mountain’s “smooth” descriptor could refer to chalky limestone terraces characteristic of the area. While the precise peak is uncertain, the scriptural function—as a southern landmark of conquest—stands unchallenged.

Summary of Occurrences

Joshua 11:17; 12:7—each time as the southern boundary of Joshua’s victorious campaign.

Forms and Transliterations
הֶֽחָלָק֙ הֶחָלָ֖ק החלק he·ḥā·lāq hechaLak heḥālāq
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 11:17
HEB: מִן־ הָהָ֤ר הֶֽחָלָק֙ הָעוֹלֶ֣ה שֵׂעִ֔יר
NAS: from Mount Halak, that rises
KJV: [Even] from the mount Halak, that goeth up
INT: from Mount Halak rises Seir

Joshua 12:7
HEB: וְעַד־ הָהָ֥ר הֶחָלָ֖ק הָעֹלֶ֣ה שֵׂעִ֑ירָה
NAS: as Mount Halak, which rises
KJV: even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up
INT: far Mount Halak rises Seir

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2510
2 Occurrences


he·ḥā·lāq — 2 Occ.

2509
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