from an unused root meaning to be complete; maturity; full (old) age.
Transliteration:kelach
Pronunciation:keh'-lakh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3624 (כֶּלַח, *kelach*) derives from an unused root signifying "to be complete" or "to be finished." Consequently, its primary meaning revolves around the concept of maturity or the culmination of a life stage. It specifically denotes "full age" or "ripe old age," emphasizing a life brought to its natural and intended completion. This sense of completeness distinguishes it from mere chronological age, highlighting a state of being fully developed or having lived out one's appointed years.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H3624 appears only once in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible, found in the book of Job:
* **[[Job 5:26]]**: "You shall come to your grave in full age, as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season."
In this sole occurrence, kelach is spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite to Job. Eliphaz, in his attempt to comfort and counsel Job, presents a picture of the blessings bestowed upon the righteous. He assures Job that if he were to return to God, he would experience a long and prosperous life, culminating in a peaceful death in "full age" (בְּכֶלַח). The accompanying simile, "as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season," vividly illustrates the concept. A shock of grain, fully ripened and ready for harvest, represents a life that has run its complete course, fulfilled its purpose, and is ready to be gathered. This metaphor underscores the idea of a timely, natural, and blessed end, contrasting sharply with Job's current state of premature suffering and despair. The context positions kelach as a desirable and divinely ordained outcome for the righteous.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept embedded in H3624 resonates with several related Hebrew terms and theological ideas:
* **Completeness/Wholeness**: The root meaning of kelach aligns with words like `{{H8003}}` (שָׁלֵם, *shalem*), meaning "complete, whole, sound," and `{{H8549}}` (תָּם, *tam*), signifying "complete, perfect, blameless." These terms often describe a state of integrity or fulfillment, whether in character or in the course of life.
* **Old Age/Longevity**: The direct reference to "full age" connects kelach with general terms for old age such as `{{H7872}}` (שֵׂיבָה, *śêyḇâ*), referring to "gray hair" or "old age," and phrases like "full of days" (e.g., [[Genesis 25:8]] for Abraham, using `{{H3117}}`, *yôm*). These terms emphasize the duration of life.
* **Ripeness/Harvest**: The agricultural imagery in [[Job 5:26]] links kelach to concepts of agricultural maturity and harvest, such as `{{H7105}}` (קָצִיר, *qatzir*), "harvest," and `{{H7054}}` (קָמָה, *qamah*), "standing grain." This connection highlights the idea of a life reaching its peak and being ready for its final gathering.
* **Blessing and Prosperity**: In biblical thought, a long life and a peaceful death in old age were often considered a sign of divine favor and a reward for faithfulness ([[Proverbs 3:16]], [[Psalm 91:16]]).
### Theological Significance
The single appearance of H3624 in [[Job 5:26]] carries profound theological weight, especially within the broader biblical understanding of life, death, and divine providence:
* **Divine Blessing and Favor**: In ancient Israelite thought, a long life culminating in "full age" was a clear indicator of God's blessing and favor upon the righteous. It symbolized a life lived in accordance with divine will, resulting in prosperity and well-being, even into one's final years. This contrasts with premature death, which was often associated with divine judgment or misfortune.
* **The Natural Order of Life and Death**: The metaphor of the "shock of grain" suggests that death in "full age" is a natural and appointed part of God's created order. Just as a plant matures and is harvested in its season, so too is there a proper time for human life to reach its conclusion. This perspective offers a sense of peace and acceptance regarding the end of life, viewing it as a fulfillment rather than a tragic interruption.
* **Hope for the Righteous**: Eliphaz's words, though perhaps misapplied to Job's specific situation, articulate a foundational hope for those who walk in righteousness. It promises not merely longevity, but a life brought to a complete and satisfying end, free from the bitterness of an unfulfilled or truncated existence.
* **God's Sovereignty over Life**: Ultimately, the concept of kelach underscores God's sovereign control over the span of human life. It is He who grants length of days and brings life to its appointed completion, ensuring that the righteous are gathered "in their season."
### Summary
The Hebrew word H3624 (כֶּלַח, *kelach*) denotes "full age" or "ripe old age," stemming from an unused root that conveys the idea of "completeness." Its singular occurrence in [[Job 5:26]] vividly portrays this concept through the imagery of a "shock of grain" gathered in its season, symbolizing a life lived to its natural and intended completion. Theologically, kelach signifies a profound divine blessing, representing the culmination of a life of righteousness and a peaceful, timely end as part of God's sovereign plan. It embodies the ideal of a life brought to its intended completeness, a testament to God's faithfulness to those who walk in His ways.
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