the same as כֶּלַח; Kelach, a place in Assyria; Calah.
Transliteration:Kelach
Pronunciation:keh'-lakh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3625}}` (כֶּלַח, *Kelach*) is a proper noun, specifically a geographical designation. Its core meaning refers to "Calah," a prominent city in ancient Assyria. Unlike common nouns or verbs, proper nouns like `{{H3625}}` do not possess a broad semantic range but rather denote a singular, specific entity. The Strong's definition explicitly states it is "the same as כֶּלַח," indicating that the transliterated form directly represents the name of the place. Historically, Calah was one of the significant capitals of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, known today as Nimrud.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H3625}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Genesis:
* [[Genesis 10:11]]: "From that land he went forth into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city."
This sole occurrence places Calah within the "Table of Nations" (Genesis 10), a foundational genealogical and geographical account of humanity's dispersion after the Flood. Here, Calah is presented as one of the cities built or founded by Nimrod (`{{H5248}}`), a "mighty hunter before the Lord" and a powerful kingdom builder. The verse explicitly links Calah with other significant Assyrian cities, namely Nineveh (`{{H5210}}`) and Rehoboth-Ir, establishing its importance within Nimrod's expanding domain in the land of Assyria (`{{H804}}`). The mention of Resen being "between Nineveh and Calah" further underscores the geographical prominence and close proximity of these urban centers, highlighting Calah's role as a major hub in the nascent Assyrian region. This early biblical reference attests to the city's ancient origins and its foundational status in the geopolitical landscape of Mesopotamia.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H3625}}` naturally connects to several key terms and concepts within the biblical narrative and ancient Near Eastern studies:
* **Nimrod (`{{H5248}}`):** The figure credited with founding Calah and other major cities, representing early human enterprise in kingdom building and urbanization.
* **Assyria (`{{H804}}`):** The broader geographical and political entity with which Calah is intrinsically linked. Calah's rise and fall are tied to the destiny of the Assyrian Empire.
* **Nineveh (`{{H5210}}`):** Frequently mentioned alongside Calah as a sister city and often a co-capital of Assyria, signifying their shared importance and strategic location.
* **Babel/Babylon (`{{H894}}`):** Nimrod's initial kingdom was in Shinar (Babylonia), establishing a connection between the early power centers in southern Mesopotamia and the emerging cities in the north, including Calah.
* **Urbanization and Empire Building:** The concept of establishing cities as centers of population, power, and administration, illustrating the development of complex societies in the ancient world.
* **Table of Nations (Genesis 10):** The broader literary context that details the spread of humanity and the formation of distinct peoples and geographical domains, within which Calah holds a specific place.
### Theological Significance
The inclusion of Calah (`{{H3625}}`) in the biblical record, despite its single occurrence, carries subtle but profound theological implications:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Human History:** The listing of Calah in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) demonstrates God's comprehensive knowledge and oversight of all human endeavors, including the rise of nations and empires, even those that would later become formidable adversaries to His covenant people. It is a testament to the fact that even the grandest human constructions operate within the divine purview.
* **Foundational Details for Later Prophecy and History:** By naming Calah, the biblical text lays a historical groundwork for understanding later interactions between Israel and Assyria. The city, though mentioned only once in Genesis, becomes a silent witness to the unfolding drama of God's covenant with His people and the nations surrounding them. The later prophetic condemnations against Assyria (e.g., in Isaiah, Nahum) gain deeper resonance when one recognizes the foundational status of its key cities, established early in human history under God's watchful eye.
* **The Scope of God's Plan for Humanity:** The Table of Nations, in which Calah is situated, illustrates God's design for the repopulation and ordering of the earth after the Flood. The establishment of cities like Calah, even by figures like Nimrod whose character is complex, is part of the broader narrative of humanity's spread and the formation of distinct societies, all under the overarching plan of the Creator.
* **Historical Veracity of Scripture:** The accurate naming of a historically significant city like Calah, whose archaeological remains (Nimrud) confirm its ancient prominence, lends credence to the historical reliability of the biblical narrative, affirming the divine inspiration behind its detailed accounts.
### Summary
`{{H3625}}` (כֶּלַח, *Kelach*) designates Calah, a significant city in ancient Assyria. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Genesis 10:11]] identifies it as one of the key cities founded by Nimrod, alongside Nineveh, establishing its ancient origins and importance within the nascent Assyrian region. As a major capital of the later Neo-Assyrian Empire, its mention in the Table of Nations provides a foundational historical detail. Theologically, Calah's inclusion underscores God's comprehensive sovereignty over human history and the rise of nations, setting the stage for future interactions between God's people and the formidable Assyrian Empire, while also affirming the historical groundedness of the biblical record.
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