apparently from כָּלָא and אָב; restraint of (his) father; Kilab, an Israelite; Chileab.
Transliteration:Kilʼâb
Pronunciation:kil-awb'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כִּלְאָב (Kilʼâb, `{{H3609}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a personal name. Its etymology is widely understood to be a compound derived from two root words: כָּלָא (kalaʼ, `{{H3607}}`), meaning "to restrain, withhold, shut up, hold back," and אָב (ʼab, `{{H0001}}`), meaning "father." Thus, the name Kilʼâb is most commonly interpreted as "restraint of (his) father" or "whom the father restrains/withholds." This etymological meaning suggests a parental act of holding back, protecting, or perhaps even limiting the individual. As a proper name, its semantic range is confined to this specific individual and the potential implications of his name's meaning, rather than a broader conceptual application.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Kilʼâb appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the list of David's sons born in Hebron:
* [[2 Samuel 3:3]] lists David's second son as "Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite."
It is important to note that the name Kilʼâb in [[2 Samuel 3:3]] is rendered as "Chileab" in many English translations, reflecting a slightly different transliteration of the same Hebrew consonants. This individual is identified as the son of David and Abigail, who was formerly the wife of Nabal. He is listed among David's first six sons born in Hebron, during the period when David reigned over Judah before becoming king over all Israel. Beyond his birth and parentage, the biblical narrative provides no further details about Kilʼâb's life, actions, or any significant role he played. He stands in contrast to his half-brothers like Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah, whose lives are extensively documented, often with tragic outcomes. His obscurity in the biblical record is a notable characteristic.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words are the components of the name itself:
* כָּלָא (kalaʼ, `{{H3607}}`): This verb is used throughout the Old Testament to describe various forms of restraint, such as holding back rain ([[Genesis 8:2]]), preventing a person from entering ([[Numbers 11:28]]), or keeping one's hand from doing evil ([[Psalm 76:10]]). It often carries connotations of protection, control, or prevention.
* אָב (ʼab, `{{H0001}}`): This fundamental noun signifies "father," encompassing biological fatherhood, the head of a household, an ancestor, or even a respectful title. The concept of fatherhood is central to Israelite identity and divine-human relationships, with God often referred to as the ultimate Father.
The name Kilʼâb can also be considered alongside other biblical names that carry significant etymological meanings, often reflecting parental hopes, circumstances of birth, or divine attributes. For example, names like "Samuel" ("heard of God"), "Isaac" ("he laughs"), or "Jacob" ("supplanter") often foreshadow or comment on the individual's life or character. The concept of names as prophetic or descriptive elements is a recurring theme in biblical nomenclature.
### Theological Significance
Given the profound silence of Scripture concerning Kilʼâb's life beyond his birth, any theological significance derived from his name must remain largely speculative, yet reverent. The etymological meaning, "restraint of his father," is intriguing when viewed against the backdrop of David's other sons. David's household was often characterized by a lack of parental restraint or discipline, particularly evident in the tragic narratives of Amnon's sin ([[2 Samuel 13]]), Absalom's rebellion ([[2 Samuel 15-18]]), and Adonijah's usurpation attempt ([[1 Kings 1]]). In these instances, David's failure to adequately restrain or discipline his sons had devastating consequences.
The name Kilʼâb could, therefore, subtly hint at a different trajectory. Perhaps it was a parental aspiration for this son to be "restrained" from the folly and sin that plagued his half-brothers. Or, more profoundly, it might suggest a divine hand of "restraint" or protection over Kilʼâb, leading to his quiet, unproblematic existence, in stark contrast to the dramatic and often destructive lives of his siblings. While the Bible does not explicitly affirm this, the very absence of negative narrative surrounding Kilʼâb, whose name speaks of restraint, stands as a quiet counterpoint to the unrestrained chaos that often marked David's family life. It might serve as a subtle reminder of the blessedness of a life lived under divine or parental discipline and restraint, avoiding the pitfalls of unchecked ambition and passion.
### Summary
Kilʼâb (`{{H3609}}`) is a personal name, the second son of King David, born to Abigail in Hebron. Its etymology, "restraint of his father," derives from the Hebrew roots כָּלָא (kalaʼ, `{{H3607}}`, "to restrain") and אָב (ʼab, `{{H0001}}`, "father"). Though mentioned only once in [[2 Samuel 3:3]] (often transliterated as "Chileab"), the Bible provides no further details about his life. The theological significance of his name lies in its potential contrast to the often unrestrained and tragic lives of David's other sons. While speculative, the name Kilʼâb might subtly point to the protective or disciplinary hand of a father, or perhaps even divine providence, leading to a life of quiet obscurity rather than the tumultuous and destructive paths taken by some of his more prominent siblings.
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