Helkai
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Helkai in the Bible?
Helkai served as the head of a priestly house during the tenure of Joiakim, likely functioning as a shortened form of the name Helkiah, which translates to 'Yah is my portion'. The name appears in textual variants, with Codex L reading Chelkias, though it is absent from Codex Vaticanus of the Septuagint.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Helkai clarifies the specific lineage and administrative structure of the priestly classes during the restoration of Jerusalem, helping readers trace the genealogical records found in Ezra and Nehemiah.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Helkai reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Helkai in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Helkai clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Helkai." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/helkai/