Hebrew word · H2519

חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת

bachalaklakot

smoothness

From the root ḥ-l-q, 'to be smooth'. The doubled form (ḥălaqlaq) strengthens the idea: extremely slick, treacherously smooth places. The doubled noun appears only here, in Ps 35:6, and in Dan 11:21, 34, where it means 'intrigues, flatteries'.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament.

What it means

1) flattery, slipperiness, fine promises, smoothness

1a) slipperiness

1b) fine promises

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Jeremiah 23:12

Range of meaning

From the root ḥ-l-q, 'to be smooth'. The doubled form (ḥălaqlaq) strengthens the idea: extremely slick, treacherously smooth places. The simple root covers smooth stones (1 Sam 17:40), smooth skin (Gen 27:11), and also smooth, flattering speech (Ps 12:2–3; Prov 5:3; Isa 30:10, 'speak to us smooth things'). The doubled noun appears only here, in Ps 35:6, and in Dan 11:21, 34, where it means 'intrigues, flatteries'.

Against the English

'Slippery places' (KJV, WEB, YLT) and 'slick' (BSB) are accurate. What English loses is the link between physical smoothness and smooth talk, which a Hebrew ear may have caught.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 35:5–6 is the closest parallel: 'Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them (dōḥeh); let their way be darkness and slippery places (ḥōšek waḥălaqlaqqôt).' Ps 73:18 uses the related ḥălāqôt: 'you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.' In Dan 11:21, 34 the same doubled form means 'smooth intrigues' or flattery.

Similar words

Where it appears

Psalms · 1

  1. Psalm 35:6 וַחֲלַקְלַקּ֑וֹת and slippery places

    May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.

Jeremiah · 1

  1. Jeremiah 23:12 כַּחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת֙ like slippery places

    “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

    Here: A doubled form of the root for 'smooth', so it means very slick or treacherously smooth ground. It pictures a path where you cannot keep your footing.

Daniel · 2

  1. Daniel 11:21 בַּחֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת׃ by intrigues

    In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

  2. Daniel 11:34 בַּחֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת׃ by intrigues

    Now when they fall, they will be granted a little help, but many will join them insincerely.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.