xlit kᵉlûb corrected to kᵉlûwb; from the same as כֶּלֶב; a bird-trap (as furnished with a clap-stick or treadle to spring it); hence, a basket (as resembling a wicker cage); basket, cage.
Transliteration:kᵉlûwb
Pronunciation:kel-oob'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3619}}` (כְּלוּב, *kᵉlûwb*) carries a dual semantic range, primarily denoting a "bird-trap" or "cage," and secondarily, by extension, a "basket." The etymological connection, noted as "from the same as `{{H3611}}` (כֶּלֶב, *kelev*, 'dog')," suggests a shared conceptual root perhaps related to grasping, snapping shut, or enclosure, though the direct semantic link to "dog" is not immediate in its usage.
The primary sense of `{{H3619}}` as a "bird-trap" or "cage" emphasizes an enclosed device designed to capture or hold. This implies confinement, restriction, and often, the intent to ensnare. The description "furnished with a clap-stick or treadle to spring it" further highlights its function as an active trapping mechanism.
The extended meaning as a "basket" arises from the resemblance of a wicker cage or trap to a container. While a basket also implies enclosure, its primary function is to hold or carry, rather than to trap. This semantic shift demonstrates the flexibility of the word, moving from an active instrument of capture to a passive vessel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H3619}}` appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance illuminating a distinct facet of its semantic range and contributing significantly to the prophetic message.
1. **Jeremiah 5:27**: "As a cage full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit; therefore they are become great, and waxen rich."
In this passage, `{{H3619}}` is rendered "cage" (or "trap"). The prophet Jeremiah uses a vivid simile to condemn the moral corruption and economic exploitation prevalent in Judah. The "cage full of birds" metaphorically represents the houses of the wicked, which are "full of deceit." Just as a fowler's trap is filled with captured birds, so too are the homes of these individuals filled with the spoils of their fraudulent and oppressive practices. The image evokes a sense of ill-gotten gain, the entrapment of the innocent, and the pervasive nature of injustice, leading to ill-gotten wealth and power. Here, the "trap" connotation is strong, suggesting the victims of their deceit are like birds ensnared.
2. **Amos 8:2**: "And he said, 'Amos, what do you see?' And I said, 'A basket of summer fruit.'"
In this prophetic vision, `{{H3619}}` is translated as "basket." The "basket of summer fruit" (קֵיִץ, *qayits*) is a powerful symbol. The Hebrew word for "summer fruit" (*qayits*) sounds phonetically similar to the Hebrew word for "end" (קֵץ, *qets*). God uses this visual pun to declare that the "end" (judgment) has come for Israel. The fruit, ripe and ready for consumption or decay, signifies that Israel's iniquity has reached its full measure, and the time for divine judgment is at hand. Here, the meaning shifts from a trapping device to a container, emphasizing the ripeness and inevitability of what it holds – in this case, the impending judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The dual nature of `{{H3619}}` connects it to several conceptual fields:
* **Traps and Snares**: The primary meaning of `{{H3619}}` as a "bird-trap" aligns it with other Hebrew terms for devices of capture, such as `{{H6341}}` (*pach*, "snare, trap") and `{{H4170}}` (*moqesh*, "snare, trap, bait"). These words often appear in contexts of sin, deception, and divine judgment, where the wicked are ensnared by their own devices or by God's justice.
* **Containers and Vessels**: The secondary meaning of `{{H3619}}` as a "basket" places it among terms like `{{H2944}}` (*ṭeneʼ*, "basket," as in Deuteronomy 26:2, 4) or `{{H5536}}` (*sal*, "basket," as in Genesis 40:16-18). These words typically denote vessels for carrying food or other items, often in contexts of provision, harvest, or offerings.
* **Metaphorical Language of Judgment**: Both occurrences of `{{H3619}}` are embedded in prophetic oracles concerning divine judgment. This links it to broader biblical themes of accountability, the consequences of sin, and God's righteous intervention in human affairs.
### Theological Significance
The limited but potent occurrences of `{{H3619}}` contribute significantly to the biblical understanding of divine justice and the consequences of human sin.
In Jeremiah 5:27, the "cage full of birds" serves as a stark indictment of social injustice and moral decay. It underscores the theological truth that ill-gotten gains are not truly blessings but rather evidence of spiritual corruption and a violation of God's covenant. The metaphor highlights the predatory nature of the wicked, who ensnare and exploit the vulnerable, and implies that their "fullness" is ultimately a prelude to divine reckoning. It speaks to the pervasive nature of sin within a society and God's unwavering commitment to righteousness.
In Amos 8:2, the "basket of summer fruit" becomes a powerful symbol of the inexorable nature of God's judgment. The ripeness of the fruit signifies that Israel's sin has reached its full measure, leaving no room for further delay or repentance. This vision conveys the theological principle that divine patience has limits, and persistent rebellion inevitably leads to decisive judgment. The basket, holding the fruit, represents the culmination of a process, ready for its final disposition, mirroring Israel's readiness for divine action.
Collectively, `{{H3619}}` illustrates how mundane objects (a trap, a basket) can be imbued with profound theological meaning in the hands of the prophets, serving as potent visual aids for communicating God's justice, the reality of sin, and the certainty of judgment.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H3619}}` (כְּלוּב, *kᵉlûwb*) denotes both a "bird-trap" or "cage" and, by extension, a "basket." Despite its rare appearance in the Old Testament, its two occurrences are profoundly significant. In [[Jeremiah 5:27]], it functions as a "cage" or "trap," metaphorically depicting the houses of the wicked as full of deceit and ill-gotten gains from exploiting others, highlighting divine judgment against social injustice. In [[Amos 8:2]], it appears as a "basket," symbolizing the "basket of summer fruit" and serving as a prophetic pun for the "end" (judgment) that has come for Israel, signifying their ripeness for divine wrath. Thus, `{{H3619}}`, whether as a device for ensnarement or a container for ripened produce, powerfully conveys themes of moral corruption, the inevitability of divine judgment, and God's righteous response to human sin.
TRV