denominative passive participle from כַּלָּהlemma כַּלָה missing dagesh, corrected to כַּלָּה; bridehood (only in the plural); espousal.
Transliteration:kᵉlûwlâh
Pronunciation:kel-oo-law'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term kᵉlûwlâh (`{{H3623}}`) is a denominative passive participle derived from the noun kallāh (`{{H3618}}`), which signifies "bride" or "daughter-in-law." As such, kᵉlûwlâh fundamentally refers to the state or condition of being a bride. Its semantic range extends to "bridehood" or, more specifically, "espousal." The definition provided notes that it occurs "only in the plural," suggesting a focus on the *period* or *stages* of betrothal rather than a singular event. In ancient Israelite society, espousal (or betrothal) was a legally binding agreement, establishing the marital covenant prior to the full consummation of the marriage. Thus, kᵉlûwlâh encapsulates the initial, formative, and deeply committed phase of a marital relationship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word kᵉlûwlâh (`{{H3623}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the book of Jeremiah:
* **[[Jeremiah 2:2]]:** "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD, 'I remember the devotion of your youth, the love of your espousals (כְּלוּלֹתַיִךְ), how you went after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.'"
In this singular, yet profoundly significant, instance, kᵉlûwlâh (in its plural form, כְּלוּלֹתַיִךְ, "your espousals") is employed metaphorically. It describes the early, fervent period of Israel's relationship with Yahweh, specifically the time immediately following the Exodus and throughout their wilderness wanderings. The phrase "the love of your espousals" is paralleled with "the devotion of your youth" (חֶסֶד נְעוּרַיִךְ), emphasizing a time of nascent, pure, and unreserved commitment. The imagery evokes the intense, exclusive bond between a newly betrothed couple. God recalls Israel's initial faithfulness, their willingness to follow Him into the desolate "wilderness, in a land not sown," signifying a period of absolute dependence and singular devotion. This memory serves as a stark contrast to Israel's subsequent apostasy and idolatry, which forms the central theme of Jeremiah's prophetic message. The context is one of divine lament, where God recalls the pristine beginnings of His covenant relationship with His people before their tragic departure.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **kallāh (`{{H3618}}`):** The direct root of kᵉlûwlâh, meaning "bride" or "daughter-in-law." The semantic connection is vital, as kᵉlûwlâh describes the *state* or *period* associated with being a kallāh.
* **Marriage Covenant (bĕrît):** The concept of kᵉlûwlâh is intimately linked to the biblical understanding of marriage as a covenant. Espousal was the legally binding establishment of this covenant, signifying an unbreakable commitment.
* **ḥesed (steadfast love, devotion):** As seen in [[Jeremiah 2:2]], kᵉlûwlâh is directly associated with ḥesed ("devotion"), highlighting the loving faithfulness characteristic of this initial covenant period.
* **nəʿûrîm (youth, youthfulness):** The parallelism with "the devotion of your youth" underscores the fresh, unblemished, and energetic nature of this early relationship.
* **Wilderness (midbār):** In this context, the wilderness is not merely a place of hardship but is reimagined as a setting for exclusive intimacy and dependence, akin to a honeymoon period for the divine-human covenant.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of kᵉlûwlâh (`{{H3623}}`) in [[Jeremiah 2:2]] carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Memory and Lament:** God's remembrance of the "love of your espousals" reveals a deeply personal and emotional aspect of His relationship with Israel. It signifies that God cherishes the early, devoted stages of His covenant. This memory underscores His unwavering faithfulness even in the face of Israel's later unfaithfulness, providing the basis for His lament over their departure from this initial purity.
* **Metaphor of Marriage for the Covenant:** The use of kᵉlûwlâh powerfully reinforces the pervasive biblical metaphor of God as the husband and Israel as His bride. This metaphor illuminates themes of covenant fidelity, intimacy, and the tragic sorrow of spiritual adultery when Israel turns to other gods. It portrays the covenant as a loving, personal bond rather than a mere legal agreement.
* **The Wilderness as a "Honeymoon":** The description of Israel following God "in the wilderness, in a land not sown" reframes the arduous wilderness period. It is portrayed not as a time of punishment or struggle, but as a time of singular devotion and exclusive reliance on God, much like a honeymoon where the couple is isolated and focused solely on each other. This highlights God's provision and Israel's initial, unreserved trust.
* **Ideal vs. Reality:** The "love of your espousals" represents the ideal state of the covenant relationship—unblemished, passionate, and obedient. Jeremiah employs this pristine ideal to starkly contrast it with Israel's subsequent idolatry and rebellion, emphasizing the depth of their spiritual declension and the pain it causes the divine Husband.
* **God's Initiative and Grace:** The memory of these espousals also points to God's gracious initiative in choosing Israel and entering into a covenant with them, even when they were in a vulnerable and dependent state in a "land not sown." It underscores the unmerited favor at the foundation of their relationship.
### Summary
The Hebrew word kᵉlûwlâh (`{{H3623}}`) denotes the state or period of "bridehood" or "espousal," derived from kallāh (`{{H3618}}`, "bride"). Though appearing only once in the biblical text, its singular occurrence in [[Jeremiah 2:2]] is exceptionally significant. There, it metaphorically describes God's cherished memory of Israel's initial, fervent devotion during their wilderness journey—a time characterized by unreserved commitment and exclusive reliance on Him, akin to a bride's pure love for her groom during the betrothal period. This "love of your espousals" serves as a poignant reminder of the ideal covenant relationship, emphasizing God's enduring love, His lament over Israel's subsequent unfaithfulness, and the profound theological metaphor of God as the faithful Husband to His chosen bride.
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