the field of strong men, or of rocks
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
HELKATH-HAZZURIM.The name given to the spot at Gibeon where the fatal combat took place between the twelve champions chosen on either side from the men of Abner and Joab (2Sa_2:16). The name means the field of sword edges.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
Hel'kath-haz'zurim. (field of rock). A smooth piece of ground, apparently close to the pool of Gibeon, where the combat took place, between the two parties of Joab's men, and Abner's men which ended in the death of the whole of the combatants, and brought on a general battle. 2Sa_2:16.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
hel?kath-haz?ū̇-rim, -ha-zū?rim (חלקת הצּוּרים, ḥelḳath ha-cūrı̄m; Μερὶς τῶν ἐπιβουλῶν, Merı́s tō̇n epiboulō̇n): The name as it stands means ?field of the sword edges,? and is applied to the scene of the conflict in which twelve champions each from the army of Joab and that of Abner perished together, each slaying his fellow (2Sa_2:16). Some, following Septuagint, would read חלקת הצּדים, ḥelḳath ha-cōdhı̄m, ?field of the crafty,? i.e. ?of the ambush.? Thenius suggested חלקת הצּרים, ḥelḳath ha-cārı̄m, ?field of the adversaries? (see also H. P. Smith, ICC, ?Samuel,? 271). Probably, however, the text as it stands is correct.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Helkath-hazzurim
(Heb. Chelkath'hats-Tsutrms', חֶלְקִתאּהִצֻּרַים,plot of the rocks), a designation of the plain just below the pool of Gibeon, on the east, acquired from the deadly combat between twelve of Ishbosheth's men and as many of David's, which formed a prelude to the general engagement (2Sa_2:16). SEE GIBEON. As to the name, Ewald approves the reading which the Sept. seem to have followed (μερὶς τῶν ἐπιβούλων, apparently from their reading הִצָּרַים), as that which alone gives a suitable meaning to the name (Gesch. Isr. 2, 575, note 1). Gesenius renders by the field of swords,' which can hardly be admitted; for, though צוּר is used in the sense of an edge,' it is never used simply for sword.' Furst gives Felsenkahlheit, rock-smoothness,' as the meaning, the place being smooth and level as a surface of rock. Aquila gives κλῆρος τῶν στερεῶν, and the Vulg. Ager robustorum, taking צוּר in a figurative sense, of which, however, there is no other instance
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.