Lexical Summary Lochesh: Whisperer, charmer, enchanter Original Word: לוֹחֵשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hallohesh, Haloshesh includ Active participle of lachash; (the) enchanter; Lochesh, an Israelite -- Hallohesh, Haloshesh (includ. The article). see HEBREW lachash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom lachash Definition "whisperer," a leader in Isr. NASB Translation Hallohesh (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs לוֺחֵשׁ proper name, masculine (= whisperer) only with article ׳הַלּ, a chief of the people Nehemiah 3:12; Nehemiah 10:25. לָט see below לוּט. Topical Lexicon Name and Setting Lohesh (also spelled Hallohesh) appears only in the post-exilic record preserved by Nehemiah. His name surfaces during the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls under Nehemiah’s leadership and again when the returned community seals its renewed covenant with the LORD. Though little is recorded beyond these two references, the contexts reveal much about his character, family, and spiritual priorities. Occurrences • Nehemiah 3:12 — “Next to him, Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs—he and his daughters.” Historical and Civic Significance 1. Local Governance Lohesh’s son Shallum governs half the district of Jerusalem, implying that Lohesh heads a prominent family entrusted with city administration under Persian oversight. Such responsibility indicates standing, education in civic affairs, and proven loyalty to both the province of Yehud and to the covenant community. Wall-building required personal resources. Families of means supplied labor, tools, and possibly food for workers (compare Nehemiah 4:17-23). The Lohesh household evidently had the wealth and willingness to shoulder part of that burden, demonstrating stewardship of God-given resources for the common good. The returnees addressed social injustices (Nehemiah 5) and repopulated Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11). Families like Lohesh’s, rooted in leadership yet willing to labor, modeled the balance of authority and service needed for a stable, God-honoring society. Family Participation in Ministry Shallum “and his daughters” rebuild a section of the wall. This detail is unique in Nehemiah’s list and attests to Lohesh’s influence in cultivating godliness across generations and genders. In a time when public works were typically male-dominated, Lohesh’s granddaughters (or daughters-in-law) step forward, anticipating New Testament patterns in which women advance gospel work (Acts 16:14-15; Romans 16:1-3). The example commends: Covenant Commitment Nehemiah 10 records the formal oath to obey the Law of Moses. Lohesh’s signature, placed among civic rulers rather than priests or Levites, shows that lay leadership shared equal responsibility for doctrinal purity and ethical conduct. The signatories pledge to: Thus Lohesh stands as a lay exemplar of covenant faithfulness, reminding modern readers that orthodoxy and obedience belong to all believers, not clergy alone (1 Peter 2:9). Theological Reflection 1. God honors those who quietly labor (Hebrews 6:10). Lohesh’s brief mention proves that unseen obedience has eternal record. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Position should never excuse one from manual or financial labor in God’s work. Lohesh therefore stands as a quiet yet compelling witness: a family head whose integrity, service, and covenant allegiance strengthened the people of God in a critical hour of restoration. Forms and Transliterations הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ הַלּוֹחֵ֥שׁ הלוחש hal·lō·w·ḥêš halloChesh hallōwḥêšLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 3:12 HEB: שַׁלּוּם֙ בֶּן־ הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י NAS: the son of Hallohesh, the official KJV: the son of Halohesh, the ruler INT: Shallum the son of Hallohesh the official of half Nehemiah 10:24 2 Occurrences |
    |