קֵלָיָה (qe.la.yah)
qe.la.yah
Kelaiah
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 Qelaiah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Ezra 10:23 as one of the Levites who confessed to having married foreign women during the post-exilic restoration. The sources identify him specifically as a member of the priestly tribe, highlighting his role in the community’s effort to maintain religious distinctiveness after returning from Babylon.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted as meaning “Jehovah has dishonoured,” a poignant designation for a man caught in a crisis of covenant fidelity. This interpretation contrasts with other lexical suggestions that might link it to “voice of Yahweh,” but the dominant view ties the name directly to the shame or consequence associated with his marital situation at that moment.
Qelaiah is also noted as being alternatively called Kelita in the same verse, suggesting a variant spelling or perhaps a dual identity within the textual tradition. His inclusion in the list of those who put away their foreign wives underscores the strict measures taken by Ezra to address intermarriage, marking him as a specific individual within a larger historical movement of religious reform.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Qelaiah appears in Ezra 10:23 as one of the Levites who confessed to marrying foreign women. This moment captures a difficult time for Israel, where leaders had to choose between cultural pressure and their covenant with God. The name itself carries weight, often interpreted as "Jehovah has dishonoured," reflecting the shame that comes when we stray from our commitments.
For your faith, this story reminds us that honesty is the first step toward restoration. Qelaiah did not hide his mistake; he stood with others to correct it. This shows that God values repentance over perfection. When we face our own failures, we can find hope in knowing that confession opens the door to forgiveness and a fresh start.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Kelaiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/קֵֽלָיָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 10:23
Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also called Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
This verse records Qelaiah’s specific act of public confession, linking his name directly to the community's effort to restore covenant fidelity.