or כַּלְנֵה; also כַּלְנוֹ; of foreign derivation; Calneh or Calno, a place in the Assyrian empire; Calneh, Calno. Compare כַּנֶּה.
Transliteration:Kalneh
Pronunciation:kal-neh'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3641}}` (Kalneh), also appearing as Kalneh (כַּלְנֵה) and Kalno (כַּלְנוֹ), is a proper noun referring to a specific geographical location. Its etymology is noted as being "of foreign derivation," indicating it is not a native Hebrew word but rather adopted from another language, likely a Mesopotamian tongue. The core meaning is strictly denotative, referring to a city. The semantic range is therefore narrow, confined to identifying this particular urban center, which was situated within or associated with the ancient Assyrian empire.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The city of Calneh/Calno is mentioned in three distinct passages within the Hebrew Bible, each offering unique contextual insights into its significance:
1. **[[Genesis 10:10]]**: Calneh is first introduced as one of the foundational cities of Nimrod's kingdom in the land of Shinar, alongside Babel, Erech, and Accad. This places Calneh squarely within early Mesopotamian civilization, highlighting its antiquity and its role as one of the initial urban centers established after the Flood. Its inclusion in this list of prominent cities underscores its early importance in the development of human civilization and organized society.
2. **[[Amos 6:2]]**: The prophet Amos challenges the complacent people of Israel, urging them to "Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?" Here, Calneh is presented as a benchmark of prosperity and strength, a city whose grandeur and security were well-known. Amos uses Calneh, along with Hamath and Gath, as examples of powerful nations or cities that, despite their might, were not immune to divine judgment, thereby warning Israel against their own false sense of security.
3. **[[Isaiah 10:9]]**: The Assyrian king, in a boastful declaration of his conquests, asks, "Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?" This passage confirms Calno (an alternate form of Calneh) as a significant city that had fallen under Assyrian domination. The Assyrian king lists Calno among other major cities he has conquered, equating its subjugation with that of other powerful regional centers. This demonstrates Calneh's historical prominence and its eventual fate as a victim of imperial expansion, specifically by the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
Across these occurrences, Calneh transitions from an ancient city of origin to a symbol of contemporary prosperity, and finally to a conquered territory, illustrating the ebb and flow of power in the ancient Near East.
### Related Words & Concepts
The entry for `{{H3641}}` explicitly suggests a comparison with `{{H3642}}` (Kanneh). While the exact nature of this relationship is debated among scholars (some suggest a textual variant or a closely related place), it points to potential linguistic or geographical proximity.
Beyond direct lexical relations, Calneh is conceptually linked to several broader themes and entities:
* **Ancient Mesopotamian Cities**: Its association with Babel, Erech, and Accad in Genesis places it within the cradle of early civilization.
* **Nimrod's Kingdom**: Calneh's foundational role in Nimrod's domain connects it to the narrative of early human ambition and kingdom-building.
* **Assyrian Empire**: Its eventual conquest by Assyria, as indicated in Isaiah, ties it directly to the dominant imperial power of the era, illustrating the reach and impact of Assyrian expansionism.
* **Cities of Prominence/Judgment**: In Amos, Calneh serves as a comparative example alongside Hamath and Gath, representing cities that, despite their perceived strength, were subject to divine oversight and potential judgment.
* **Pride and Humiliation**: The Assyrian king's boast in Isaiah, mentioning Calno among his conquests, highlights the theme of human pride that ultimately faces divine humbling.
### Theological Significance
Though a place name, Calneh carries significant theological weight through its various biblical contexts:
1. **Human Ambition and Early Civilization**: In [[Genesis 10:10]], Calneh is part of Nimrod's kingdom, which is often interpreted as an early manifestation of human efforts to build powerful, centralized societies apart from direct divine guidance. It represents the emergence of complex urban centers and the potential for human hubris inherent in such endeavors. Theologically, it underscores the human capacity for organization and power, but also the inherent challenges and potential for rebellion against God's ultimate sovereignty.
2. **Divine Judgment and Sovereign Control**: The mention of Calneh in [[Amos 6:2]] serves as a powerful reminder of God's universal sovereignty. The prophet uses Calneh, a seemingly secure and prosperous city, to dismantle Israel's false sense of security. It illustrates that no nation, however mighty or strategically located, is beyond the reach of God's judgment. This emphasizes the impartial nature of divine justice, which extends to all peoples.
3. **The Humbling of Imperial Pride**: In [[Isaiah 10:9]], Calneh's fall is cited by the Assyrian king as proof of his might. However, within Isaiah's broader prophetic message, this human boast is set against God's ultimate control. The Lord uses Assyria as an instrument of judgment, but eventually judges Assyria for its own pride. Thus, Calneh's conquest, while a testament to Assyrian power, ultimately serves to illustrate the transient nature of human empires and the ultimate supremacy of God's plan, which orchestrates the rise and fall of nations.
Across these narratives, Calneh serves as a potent symbol: from the foundational ambition of early human civilization to the object lesson of divine judgment, and finally, to the demonstration of God's overarching sovereignty even amidst the boasts of earthly kings.
### Summary
`{{H3641}}` (Kalneh/Calneh/Calno) is a Hebrew proper noun of foreign derivation, identifying a significant city in ancient Mesopotamia, often associated with the Assyrian empire. Its biblical occurrences trace its historical trajectory: first appearing in [[Genesis 10:10]] as one of the foundational cities of Nimrod's early kingdom, then referenced in [[Amos 6:2]] as a benchmark of prosperity and strength, and finally listed in [[Isaiah 10:9]] as a city conquered by the Assyrian king. Theologically, Calneh represents key themes: the early development and potential hubris of human civilization, the universal reach of divine judgment over all nations, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the rise and fall of empires, demonstrating the transient nature of human power in contrast to God's eternal dominion.
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