Strong's Number: H2505
Original Word: halaq
Usage Notes: "to divide, share, plunder, assign, distribute." Used throughout the history of Hebrew, this verb is probably reflected in the ancient Akkadian term for "field" i.e., that which is divided. The word is found approximately 60 times in the Hebrew Old Testament; it appears for the first time in Gen 14:15, where it is said that Abram "divided his forces" (rsv) as he rescued his nephew Lot from the enemy. Apparently, Abram was "assigning" different responsibilities to his troops as part of his strategy. The sense of "dividing" or "allotting" is found in Deut 4:19, where the sun, moon, and stars are said to have been "allotted" to all peoples by God. A similar use is seen in Deut 29:26, where God is said not to have "allotted" false gods to His people.
Halaq is used in the legal sense of "sharing" an inheritance in Prov 17:2. The word is used three times in reference to "sharing" the spoils of war in 1Sa 30:24. This verb describes the "division" of the people of Israel, as one half followed Tibni and the other half followed Omri (1Kings 16:21). The word halaq is also important in the description of the "dividing" of the land of Canaan among the various tribes and clans (Num 26:52-55).
Usage Number: 2
Part of Speech: Noun
Strong's Number: H2506
Original Word: heleq
Usage Notes: "portion; territory." The noun form of halaq is used often in the biblical text. It has a variety of meanings, such as "booty" of war (Gen 14:24), a "portion" of food (Lev 6:17), a "tract" of land (Josh 18:5), a spiritual "possession" or blessing (Psa 73:26), and a chosen "pattern" or "life-style" (Psa 50:18).
