Original Word: חֵלֶם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Chelem
Pronunciation: KHEH-lem
Phonetic Spelling: (khay'lem)
KJV: Helem
NASB: Helem
Word Origin: [from H2492 (חָלַם - To dream)]

1. a dream
2. Chelem, an Israelite

Helem

From chalam; a dream; Chelem, an Israelite -- Helem. Compare Chelday.

see HEBREW chalam

see HEBREW Chelday

Word Origin
from chalam
Definition
"strength," an Isr.
NASB Translation
Helem (1).

חֵ֫לֶם proper name, masculine (strength) — a returned exile Zechariah 6:14 = חֶלְדַּי Zechariah 6:10.

Biblical Appearance

The name חֵלֶם (Strong’s 2494) surfaces once, in Zechariah 6:14. The Berean Standard Bible reads, “The crown will reside in the temple of the LORD as a memorial to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah.” Most manuscripts give the spelling חֵלֶם in verse 14 and חֶלְדַּי in verse 10; the two forms refer to the same individual.

Identity and Role

Chelem (or Heldai) is counted among the “exiles” who had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem (Zechariah 6:10). He is linked with Tobijah and Jedaiah—men of means who possessed silver and gold. Under prophetic instruction, their wealth was fashioned into a crown (actually two coronets fashioned together) that was temporarily placed on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Chelem’s name is therefore inseparably tied to a prophetic drama that joined royal and priestly symbolism in anticipation of the coming Branch (Messiah).

Historical Setting

Zechariah’s ministry took place during the reign of King Darius of Persia, roughly two decades after the first wave of returnees under Zerubbabel (circa 520 BC). Temple reconstruction had stalled; discouragement and opposition had set in. Into this setting the Lord dispatched Haggai and Zechariah to stir the people. Chelem represents a faithful remnant within that community—one who contributed resources for the temple and participated in prophetic enactment. His inclusion among those honored in the temple memorial indicates tangible commitment to God’s restoration agenda.

Prophetic and Typological Significance

1. Union of Priesthood and Kingship: By placing the crown on Joshua, Zechariah 6 foreshadows the Messiah who would unite the two offices. Chelem’s offering helped picture “the man whose name is the Branch” who would “sit and rule on His throne, and He will be a priest on His throne” (Zechariah 6:12-13).
2. Memorial of Grace: The crown was left “as a memorial” (Zechariah 6:14). Chelem’s name thus stands as a perpetual reminder that God remembers the faith-filled generosity of His people. It exemplifies Proverbs 10:7, “The memory of the righteous is a blessing.”
3. Foretaste of Gentile Participation: Zechariah 6:15 anticipates “those who are far away” coming to build the temple. Chelem, himself a returnee from a foreign land, anticipates the eventual ingathering of the nations into Christ’s temple (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Stewardship: Chelem teaches that offerings, when yielded to prophetic purpose, become instruments of lasting spiritual influence.
• Partnership: His collaboration with Tobijah and Jedaiah illustrates that kingdom work is seldom solitary; God honors collective obedience.
• Memorializing God’s Work: Physical reminders (the crowns stored in the temple) encourage future generations to trust God’s promises. Modern ministry likewise benefits from tangible testimonies of past faithfulness.
• Hope in Restoration: Chelem’s generation saw only the early stages of second-temple glory, yet their faith pointed forward to the ultimate reign of Messiah. Contemporary believers labor with the same forward-looking hope (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Key Cross References

Zechariah 6:10; Zechariah 6:12-15

Ezra 6:14-22 (temple completion context)

Haggai 2:4-9 (prophetic encouragement during reconstruction)

Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12-13 (Messiah as priest-king)

Summary

Chelem, though mentioned only once, occupies a strategic place in redemptive history. His sacrificial gift was woven into a prophetic tableau that spotlighted the coming priest-king, Jesus Christ. The memorial crown fashioned from his silver and gold immortalized a moment when human obedience intersected with divine revelation, encouraging every generation of believers to invest their resources and faith in the unfolding plan of God.

לְחֵ֙לֶם֙ לחלם lə·ḥê·lem leChelem ləḥêlemInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts