2469. Chelday
Lexical Summary
Chelday: Heldai

Original Word: חֶלְדַּי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Chelday
Pronunciation: khel-dah'-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (khel-dah'-ee)
KJV: Heldai
NASB: Heldai
Word Origin: [from H2466 (חֵלֶד - Heled)]

1. worldliness
2. Cheldai, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Heldai

From cheled; worldliness; Cheldai, the name of two Israelites -- Heldai.

see HEBREW cheled

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as choled
Definition
two Isr.
NASB Translation
Heldai (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חֶלְדַּי proper name, masculine 1. one of David's heroes 1 Chronicles 27:15 (= חֵלֶד 1 Chronicles 11:30 = חֵלֶב 2 Samuel 23:29) ᵐ5 Ξολδεια (#NAME?), ᵐ5L Ολδια.

2 a returned exile Zechariah 6:10 (omitted by ᵐ5) = חֵלֶם Zechariah 6:14.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Background

חֶלְדַּי (Heldai) derives from a root meaning “mole” or “worldly,” but Scripture associates the man more with steadfast service than with any negative nuance. The form “Heldai” appears twice, though in Zechariah 6:10 he is also called “Helem” in verse 14, indicating a possible alternate name or honorific.

Occurrences

1 Chronicles 27:15 – Heldai the Netophathite, of the sons of Othni, commands the twelfth division of King David’s standing army for the twelfth month.

Zechariah 6:10 – Heldai returns from Babylon with Tobijah and Jedaiah; along with Josiah (Hen) he contributes silver and gold that become a prophetic crown for Joshua the high priest.

Historical Setting

Davidic Period

David organizes Israel’s military into twelve month-long rotating divisions (1 Chronicles 27). Heldai’s leadership of the twelfth division places him among thirty-six elite officers (twelve captains, each aided by tribal chiefs and mighty men). Netophathite lineage links him with warriors like Maharai and Heleb (2 Samuel 23:28-29), reflecting the strategic importance of villages south of Bethlehem. Serving in the final month likely synchronized with the agricultural cycle when farmers could be spared for royal duty, underscoring David’s balanced administration of worship, work, and warfare.

Post-exilic Period

More than five centuries later, a second Heldai surfaces among Jewish returnees bringing offerings from Babylon to Jerusalem (Zechariah 6:10). Their generosity occurs “the same day” Zechariah receives a vision of four chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8) announcing divine sovereignty over the nations. The prophet is commanded to “take silver and gold from the exiles… and make a crown” (Zechariah 6:11). Their gifts become a tangible oracle: Joshua the high priest is crowned, prefiguring the Branch who will unite priesthood and kingship (Zechariah 6:12-13).

Military Significance

Heldai’s role in David’s army illustrates the king’s policy of inclusive leadership drawn from beyond Judah’s core cities. Netophathite officers demonstrate that loyalty, not geography, defines membership in the kingdom’s service. Heldai oversees twenty-four thousand soldiers, a trust implying proven courage and administrative skill. His month would correspond roughly to our late February–March, a threshold between campaigns and spring rains, requiring readiness for sudden engagement or defense.

Prophetic Significance

In Zechariah, Heldai’s donation plays into a symbolic coronation uniting priestly and royal motifs. His name links two eras: the first Heldai upholds Davidic rule; the second funds a prophecy of the future Davidic-priestly Messiah. Thus Heldai becomes a thread tying the monarchy of Israel’s past to the eschatological hope of “the Branch,” emphasizing continuity in God’s redemptive plan.

Theological Implications

1. Faithful Stewardship – Whether leading troops or surrendering treasure, both Heldais model responsible use of God-given resources.
2. Unity of the Covenant Community – Netophathites, exiles, priests, and prophets all participate in a single divine program.
3. Anticipation of Messiah – The crown funded by Heldai points beyond Joshua to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Priest-King.

Practical Lessons

• Obscurity is no barrier to significance; a man mentioned only twice still advances God’s purposes.
• Material offerings, when surrendered to the Lord, can become instruments of prophetic witness.
• Service in one generation can echo into another, encouraging believers to labor with an eye toward future fulfillment.

See Also

Helem (Zechariah 6:14) – alternate designation of Heldai in the same narrative.

Netophathite – clan noted for military valor (2 Samuel 23:28-29).

Joshua son of Jehozadak – high priest crowned in Zechariah’s oracle.

Forms and Transliterations
חֶלְדַּ֥י חלדי מֵחֶלְדַּ֕י מחלדי chelDai ḥel·day ḥelday mê·ḥel·day mechelDai mêḥelday
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 27:15
HEB: עָשָׂ֣ר הַחֹ֔דֶשׁ חֶלְדַּ֥י הַנְּטוֹפָתִ֖י לְעָתְנִיאֵ֑ל
NAS: month [was] Heldai the Netophathite
KJV: month [was] Heldai the Netophathite,
INT: ten month Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel

Zechariah 6:10
HEB: מֵאֵ֣ת הַגּוֹלָ֔ה מֵחֶלְדַּ֕י וּמֵאֵ֥ת טוֹבִיָּ֖ה
NAS: [an offering] from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah
KJV: of [them of] the captivity, [even] of Heldai, of Tobijah,
INT: Take the exiles Heldai Tobijah and Jedaiah

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2469
2 Occurrences


ḥel·day — 1 Occ.
mê·ḥel·day — 1 Occ.

2468
Top of Page
Top of Page