Lexical Summary Chelqay: Chelqai Original Word: חֶלְקַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Helkai From chalaq; apportioned; Chelkai, an Israelite -- Helkai. see HEBREW chalaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chalaq Definition an Isr. priest NASB Translation Helkai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֶלְקָ֑י proper name, masculine priest, time of Joiakim son of Jeshua, Nehemiah 12:15 (perhaps abbreviated for חלקיהו, (q. v.), ᵐ5L Ξελκιας (B omitted) Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Nehemiah 12:15 records the single mention of Helkai: “of Meraioth, Helkai” (Berean Standard Bible). He is listed among the heads of priestly households who served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the high priest, during the early Persian period after the return from Babylonian exile. Historical Setting The setting is Jerusalem in the fifth century BC, after the exiles returned under Zerubbabel (Ezra 2) and later experienced a further wave of reform under Ezra and Nehemiah. By the time Joiakim held the high-priestly office, the rebuilt temple was functioning, city walls had been restored (Nehemiah 6), and the people had renewed their covenant with God (Nehemiah 9–10). The list in Nehemiah 12:12-21 preserves the priestly succession in that generation, confirming that the sacrificial system and temple worship were again operating according to the law of Moses. Priestly Lineage and Duties The phrase “of Meraioth” identifies the larger priestly division from which Helkai came. Meraioth appears earlier as a priest in the line of Zadok (1 Chronicles 9:11; Ezra 7:3), a lineage traced back to Eleazar son of Aaron. As the family head, Helkai would have been responsible for: His leadership ensured that the ancestral house of Meraioth remained active among the twenty-four priestly courses originally organized by David (1 Chronicles 24). Role in the Restoration Community Nehemiah’s register is more than a census; it testifies that every priestly family was present and functioning. Helkai’s name shows: 1. Continuity – the same priestly clan that served before the exile now ministers again, demonstrating that the exile did not cancel God’s promises. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Faithfulness. The appearance of Helkai in Scripture affirms God’s unwavering preservation of a priesthood to intercede for His people, foreshadowing the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:23-25). Lessons for Contemporary Faith • Spiritual heritage matters. Helkai’s brief mention reminds believers that every generation must receive and pass on the ministry entrusted to it (2 Timothy 2:2). Forms and Transliterations חֶלְקָֽי׃ חלקי׃ chelKai ḥel·qāy ḥelqāyLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 12:15 HEB: עַדְנָ֔א לִמְרָי֖וֹת חֶלְקָֽי׃ NAS: Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; KJV: Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; INT: Adna of Meraioth Helkai 1 Occurrence |
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