from קָלַט; maiming; Kelita, the name of three Israelites; Kelita.
Transliteration:Qᵉlîyṭâʼ
Pronunciation:kel-ee-taw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma `{{H7042}}` is קְלִיטָא (Qᵉlîyṭâʼ), a proper noun serving as a personal name. Its etymological root is identified as קָלַט (qālṭ), from which the base definition "maiming" is derived. This suggests a primary sense of cutting off, severing, or inflicting injury. As a personal name, the direct application of "maiming" to an individual is unusual and somewhat opaque. Proper names in ancient Israel often carried meanings related to circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or divine attributes. In this case, the literal sense of "maiming" for a person's name is challenging to interpret straightforwardly. It is possible that the name reflects a past event, a physical characteristic, or perhaps a more abstract concept of being "cut off" from something, or "set apart." The semantic range of `{{H7042}}` is therefore primarily limited to its function as an identifier for specific individuals in the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Kelita (`{{H7042}}`) appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently referring to individuals in the post-exilic period, specifically among those who returned from Babylonian captivity and participated in the reforms under Ezra and Nehemiah.
1. **[[Ezra 10:23]]**: "And of the Levites: Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer." Here, Kelita is explicitly identified as "the same as Kelaiah" (`{{H7043}}`). This parenthetical clarification is crucial, indicating that `{{H7042}}` and `{{H7043}}` are either variant spellings, pronunciations, or perhaps a shortened form of the same name. Kelaiah (`{{H7043}}`) is a theophoric name, meaning "Yah has maimed" or "Yah has cut off." This connection provides a divine dimension to the otherwise stark meaning of "maiming."
2. **[[Nehemiah 8:7]]**: "Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place." In this passage, Kelita is listed among the Levites who played a vital role in instructing the people in the Law of God during the public reading by Ezra. This highlights his position as a spiritual leader and teacher.
3. **[[Nehemiah 10:10]]**: "And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan." Kelita is again listed among the Levites who affixed their seals to the covenant of commitment, pledging to walk in God's law and uphold the temple service. This demonstrates his active participation in the community's renewal and dedication to God's commandments.
Across these occurrences, Kelita is consistently portrayed as a Levite, actively engaged in the spiritual and administrative restoration of Israel. His role as an interpreter of the Law and a signatory to the covenant underscores his commitment and leadership within the post-exilic community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H7043}}` קְלָיָה (Qelayah), which is explicitly linked to Kelita in [[Ezra 10:23]]. As a theophoric name, Kelaiah means "Yah has maimed" or "Yah has cut off." This connection shifts the etymological focus from a generic "maiming" to a divine act.
The root קָלַט (qālṭ) itself can carry nuanced meanings. While "maiming" is the primary definition given for `{{H7042}}`, some linguistic analyses of the root in broader Semitic contexts can suggest concepts of "gathering," "receiving," or "taking in." However, given the explicit definition provided and the link to theophoric "Yah has maimed," the sense of "cutting off" or "setting apart" seems more prominent for the name's etymology.
Conceptually, the name Kelita, especially through its link to Kelaiah, brings forth ideas of divine action upon an individual. If "Yah has maimed" or "Yah has cut off" is the underlying meaning, it could signify:
* **Divine Discipline or Judgment:** A past experience of hardship or "cutting off" by God, perhaps during the exile.
* **Divine Separation or Consecration:** Being "cut off" from the world or from sin and set apart for God's special service. This interpretation aligns well with the role of a Levite.
* **A Family History:** The name might reflect a significant event in the family line, perhaps even a physical injury, which was attributed to divine providence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Kelita lies less in the literal interpretation of his name and more in the role he fulfills within the post-exilic community. As a Levite, Kelita was part of the priestly tribe dedicated to serving God and teaching His Law. His participation in explaining the Law to the people ([[Nehemiah 8:7]]) is deeply significant. It demonstrates the Levites' crucial function in ensuring that the returned exiles understood and lived by God's commandments. This act was foundational to the spiritual renewal of Israel.
Furthermore, his presence among those who sealed the covenant ([[Nehemiah 10:10]]) underscores the collective commitment to reaffirm their relationship with God. This act was a public declaration of repentance and a renewed dedication to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing obedience, temple worship, and tithing.
The paradox of a name meaning "maimed" or "cut off" for an individual so instrumental in the *restoration* and *rebuilding* of Israel's spiritual life is noteworthy. If the name suggests "Yah has cut off," it could be interpreted as God's sovereign act of separating His people from their past sins or from the nations, purifying them for His purposes. In this sense, Kelita could represent the purified remnant, "cut off" from the old ways, but "cut out" for divine service. This aligns with the Levites' role as those set apart for God's holy work. Their very existence and function were a testament to God's covenant faithfulness and His ongoing work of sanctification.
### Summary
`{{H7042}}` (Qᵉlîyṭâʼ), or Kelita, is a Hebrew personal name borne by at least three Levites during the post-exilic period, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Derived from the root קָלַט (qālṭ), its base etymological meaning is "maiming" or "cutting off." This meaning is further illuminated by its explicit connection to the name Kelaiah (`{{H7043}}`), a theophoric name meaning "Yah has maimed" or "Yah has cut off."
The individuals named Kelita consistently appear as dedicated Levites who played significant roles in the spiritual and administrative reforms of the returned exiles. They were instrumental in teaching the Law to the people ([[Nehemiah 8:7]]) and were among those who sealed the covenant of commitment to God ([[Nehemiah 10:10]]). The seeming paradox of a name meaning "maimed" for individuals so central to a work of restoration can be understood in a theological light, suggesting a spiritual "cutting off" from sin or the world, or a divine act of setting apart for sacred service. Thus, Kelita embodies a figure committed to the renewal of God's people and the re-establishment of His Law in the land.
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