כְּלָ֑ל (ke.lal)
ke.lal
Chelal
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Kelal appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Ezra 10:30 as part of a list of men who had married foreign wives during the post-exilic return. The text identifies him simply as one of those who participated in this significant community decision, placing his name alongside other leaders and laymen who acknowledged their marriages.
Lexical sources note that the name likely derives from a root meaning "to complete" or "finish." While the specific theological weight of the name is not elaborated in the biblical narrative itself, its singular occurrence serves as a historical marker. It anchors the reader to the precise moment when the community of returned exiles was redefining its identity and boundaries.
Because Kelal is mentioned solely in this genealogical register, he remains an anonymous figure in terms of personal character or action. His significance lies entirely in his inclusion in the list of those who separated from their foreign wives, a pivotal event described in Ezra 10 that marked a strict recommitment to Israelite law and lineage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Kelal appears only once in Scripture, listed among those who took responsibility for their actions in Ezra 10:30. This brief mention reminds us that faith is lived out in community, where individual choices affect the whole group. Being part of a faithful community means sharing in both its joys and its difficult decisions to align with God's will.
Even when we feel like just one name in a long list, our participation matters. Kelal’s inclusion shows that ordinary people play a role in restoring spiritual integrity. We are called to be attentive to how our lives fit into the broader story of God’s people, contributing to unity and obedience rather than isolation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Kelal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/כְלָ֑ל1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 10:30
Of the sons of Pahathmoab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.
This verse lists Kelal among those who acknowledged their marriages to foreign women, highlighting the communal nature of repentance and covenant renewal in Ezra 10.