The Aramaic word kᵉlal, represented by H3635, means to complete; finish, make (set) up. It appears 8 times across 7 unique verses, located exclusively within the book of Ezra. This word is specifically used to describe the completion of major construction projects, marking the successful fulfillment of a command to rebuild.
In the biblical narrative, H3635 is central to the account of Israel's return from exile and the restoration of Jerusalem. The term is used to describe the successful completion of the house of God, which the elders of the Jews finished in accordance with divine and royal commands Ezra 6:14. It is also used repeatedly in the context of constructing the city's defenses, as opponents reported to the king that the Jews had set up the walls of the "rebellious and the bad city" Ezra 4:12. This act of completion was a point of contention, prompting officials to ask who had authorized them to make up the wall Ezra 5:3.
Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller picture of the rebuilding efforts described in Ezra:
- H1124 bᵉnâʼ (to build): This verb is often used alongside kᵉlal to describe the entire construction process. The elders of the Jews first builded and then finished the temple Ezra 6:14.
- H1005 bayith (house): This is one of the primary structures being completed. The Jews identified themselves as servants of God who were rebuilding the house that a great king of Israel had previously set up Ezra 5:11.
- H7792 shûwr (a wall (as going about)): The completion of the city walls was a significant and contentious issue. Opponents warned that if the walls were set up, the Jews would cease paying tribute Ezra 4:13.
- H2942 ṭᵉʻêm (decree, commandment): The act of finishing the work was legitimized by a commandment from earthly kings like Cyrus and Darius, which was itself in accordance with the will of God Ezra 6:14.
The use of H3635 carries significant narrative weight, focusing on themes of authority and restoration.
- Fulfillment of Command: The act of "finishing" H3635 the temple is explicitly tied to the commandment H2941 of God and the decree H2942 of Persian kings, demonstrating that the rebuilding was a divinely-ordained and legally-sanctioned project Ezra 6:14.
- Political Restoration: To "set up" H3635 the city walls was not just a construction project but a political statement. Adversaries warned that completing the walls would lead to a loss of royal revenue and control Ezra 4:13.
- Historical Continuity: The Jews justified their work by stating they were rebuilding the house that a "great king of Israel" had previously "builded and set up" H3635, linking their efforts to their nation's past glory and its divinely appointed history Ezra 5:11.
In summary, H3635 kᵉlal is a specific and powerful Aramaic verb used in Ezra to denote the completion of the post-exilic rebuilding projects. It encapsulates more than simply finishing a task; it represents the culmination of God's will and royal decrees, the restoration of Jerusalem's physical integrity, and the perseverance of the Jewish people in the face of opposition. The word links the physical act of building to the spiritual and national renewal of Israel.
TRV