from כָּלַל; complete; Kelal, an Israelite; Chelal.
Transliteration:Kᵉlâl
Pronunciation:kel-awl'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3636}}` (Kᵉlâl) derives from the root כָּלַל (kalal), which conveys the fundamental meaning of "to be complete," "to perfect," or "to finish." While the root itself points to a state of wholeness or culmination, `{{H3636}}` itself functions primarily as a proper noun in the biblical text. As a proper noun, "Kelal" (or "Chelal") inherently carries the semantic weight of its root, suggesting a name that might signify "completeness," "perfection," or "integrity." It could denote a person who embodies these qualities or perhaps one who has reached a state of maturity or full stature. The adjectival sense of "complete" is foundational to understanding the potential implications of the name.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H3636}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Ezra 10:30]]. In this passage, "Chelal" (כְּלָל) is listed among "the sons of Pahath-moab" who had taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period. The broader context of Ezra 10 details the solemn assembly where the people of Israel, under the leadership of Ezra, confessed their sin of intermarriage with foreign women and resolved to put them away. Kelal is thus identified as one of the individuals implicated in this transgression. The inclusion of his name in this list underscores his participation in the community's spiritual and social crisis, and by implication, his subsequent participation in the communal act of repentance and purification. While his personal actions beyond this specific context are not detailed, his inclusion highlights the pervasive nature of the sin and the comprehensive scope of the reforms undertaken to restore the covenant integrity of the people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root כָּלַל (kalal), from which `{{H3636}}` is derived. This root's core meaning of "to be complete" or "to perfect" connects `{{H3636}}` to a broader semantic field encompassing ideas of wholeness, integrity, soundness, and ultimate fulfillment. Concepts such as *tāmîm* (תָּמִים, `{{H8549}}`, "blameless," "complete," "perfect"), often used to describe individuals of integrity (e.g., Noah in [[Genesis 6:9]], Job in [[Job 1:1]]) or the perfection of God's ways and law (e.g., [[Psalm 18:30]]), bear conceptual kinship. The pursuit of "completeness" in a spiritual sense often involves adherence to God's commandments and a life lived in accordance with His will. Conversely, the narrative context of `{{H3636}}` in Ezra 10 implicitly contrasts the name's meaning of "completeness" with the "incomplete" or compromised spiritual state of those who had intermarried, thereby creating a need for restoration to covenant wholeness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3636}}` is primarily derived from the rich meaning of its root, "completeness," rather than solely from its singular occurrence as a proper noun. While Kelal himself is a historical figure whose name appears in a list of those needing to repent, the concept of "completeness" or "perfection" is profoundly theological. God Himself is inherently complete and perfect in all His attributes, requiring nothing outside of Himself. Furthermore, God calls His people to strive for a form of "completeness" or "holiness" in their walk with Him ([[Leviticus 19:2]], [[Deuteronomy 18:13]]). In the context of Ezra, the community's actions to put away foreign wives were an attempt to restore their "completeness" or "purity" as a covenant people, addressing a fundamental breach of God's law. Kelal's inclusion in this list thus serves as a microcosm of the larger theological theme: the necessity of repentance and obedience to achieve a state of spiritual wholeness and integrity before God, aligning the community's life with the divine standard of "completeness."
### Summary
`{{H3636}}` (Kᵉlâl) is a Hebrew proper noun, occurring once in [[Ezra 10:30]], referring to an Israelite who had taken a foreign wife. Derived from the root meaning "to be complete" or "to perfect," the name itself carries the semantic weight of wholeness or integrity. While its direct biblical usage is limited to identifying an individual in a list of those participating in a communal act of repentance, its underlying meaning points to significant theological concepts. The pursuit of "completeness" in obedience to God's covenant, the call for His people to strive for blamelessness, and the restoration of integrity are all resonant themes connected to the core meaning of this word. Kelal's presence in the narrative of Ezra underscores the community's collective effort to return to a state of spiritual "completeness" by putting away sin and re-establishing covenant fidelity.
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