lemma כַּלָה missing dagesh, corrected to כַּלָּה; from כָּלַל; a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife; bride, daughter-in-law, spouse.
Transliteration:kallâh
Pronunciation:kal-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H3618}}` (כַּלָּה, kallâh) primarily denotes a "bride" or a "daughter-in-law." Its etymological root is linked to `{{H3634}}` (כָּלַל, kālal), which signifies "to complete," "to perfect," or "to finish." This connection suggests that the "bride" is perceived as one who is made complete or perfected for her new role and relationship. The semantic range of kallâh thus encompasses both the woman on her wedding day, adorned and prepared for union, and her subsequent familial status as a son's wife. This dual meaning highlights the transition from an individual identity to an integrated member of a new household and lineage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H3618}}` appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in narrative and poetic contexts.
* **As "Daughter-in-law":** This usage is frequent, particularly in genealogical and family narratives. For instance, in the story of Judah and Tamar, Tamar is repeatedly referred to as Judah's daughter-in-law ([[Genesis 38:11]], [[Genesis 38:13]], [[Genesis 38:24]]). Similarly, in the book of Ruth, Ruth and Orpah are called Naomi's daughters-in-law ([[Ruth 1:6]], [[Ruth 1:7]], [[Ruth 1:22]], [[Ruth 2:11]]). This usage emphasizes the familial relationship, the responsibilities, and the integration of the new wife into her husband's family unit.
* **As "Bride":** This sense is prominent in poetic and prophetic literature. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is addressed as "my bride" ([[Song of Solomon 4:8]], [[Song of Solomon 4:9]], [[Song of Solomon 4:10]], [[Song of Solomon 4:11]], [[Song of Solomon 5:1]]), emphasizing intimacy, beauty, and exclusive devotion within the marital bond. Prophetic books often employ kallâh metaphorically to describe Israel, such as in [[Isaiah 49:18]] where Zion is depicted as adorning herself like a bride, or in [[Jeremiah 2:32]] where Israel is remembered as a "bride" who cannot forget her ornaments, highlighting the nation's past faithfulness or its adorned state in the eyes of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of `{{H3618}}` is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **Root Word:** `{{H3634}}` (כָּלַל, kālal), "to complete," "to perfect," "to finish." This root underscores the ideal state or readiness of the bride.
* **Marriage and Family Terms:**
* `{{H2623}}` (חָתָן, ḥātān): "son-in-law," "bridegroom."
* `{{H2607}}` (חֲתוּנָּה, ḥātunnah): "wedding."
* `{{H376}}` (אִישׁ, 'ish): "man," "husband."
* `{{H802}}` (אִשָּׁה, 'ishshah): "woman," "wife."
* `{{H2543}}` (חָם, ḥam): "father-in-law."
* `{{H2545}}` (חָמוֹת, ḥāmōth): "mother-in-law."
* **Concepts:** Purity, covenant, new beginnings, lineage, inheritance, integration, and divine adornment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3618}}` is profound, extending beyond its literal domestic uses:
* **Covenantal Imagery:** Perhaps the most significant theological application of kallâh is its use as a metaphor for the relationship between Yahweh and Israel. As seen in [[Jeremiah 2:32]] and [[Isaiah 49:18]], Israel is portrayed as Yahweh's "bride." This imagery emphasizes a unique, intimate, and exclusive covenantal bond, reflecting God's deep affection, commitment, and desire for fidelity from His chosen people. The "bride" here is adorned by God, signifying His grace and the beauty He bestows upon His people.
* **Purity and Wholeness:** The etymological link to "perfection" or "completeness" subtly suggests the ideal state of the bride—often associated with purity, readiness for union, and the bringing of a new, whole element into an existing family or relationship.
* **Continuity of Lineage and Redemption:** In its sense as "daughter-in-law," the word highlights the essential role of women in perpetuating family lines and ensuring the continuity of the covenant promises related to offspring and inheritance. The story of Ruth ([[Ruth 1:6]], [[Ruth 2:11]]) is a powerful example, where a foreign daughter-in-law becomes instrumental in the lineage of David and ultimately, the Messiah, demonstrating God's redemptive work through unexpected means and the inclusion of outsiders into His covenant community.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H3618}}` (כַּלָּה, kallâh), meaning "bride" or "daughter-in-law," is rooted in `{{H3634}}` (כָּלַל), signifying "to complete" or "to perfect." This etymological connection imbues the term with a sense of ideal readiness and wholeness for a new relational status. In the biblical narrative, kallâh functions literally to describe a woman entering marriage, as exemplified in the Song of Solomon ([[Song of Solomon 4:8]]), and to denote a son's wife, prominently featured in family accounts such as those of Judah and Tamar ([[Genesis 38:11]]) and Ruth and Naomi ([[Ruth 1:6]]). Theologically, kallâh carries significant weight, particularly as a powerful metaphor for the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and Israel, portraying the nation as God's cherished and adorned bride ([[Jeremiah 2:32]]). In its role as "daughter-in-law," the term underscores vital themes of familial integration, the continuity of lineage, and God's redemptive inclusion, even of those from outside the traditional covenant community. Thus, kallâh encapsulates both a specific familial role and profound theological concepts of divine relationship, purity, and communal identity.
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