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כַּלָּה

𐤊𐤋𐤄

kallâh

H3618 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כָּלַל to complete, to perfect, to finish, to bring to a conclusion

Definition

A woman who is about to be married or has recently married; specifically, a bride at the time of marriage or immediately following. Also, in certain contexts, a newly-married woman in relation to her husband's family, i.e., a daughter-in-law. The term centers on the social and familial roles rather than legal or ceremonial aspects, focusing on the transition of the woman into her new household through marriage.

Semantic Range

bride (woman at/after marriage), newly-married woman, daughter-in-law (woman who has joined husband's family through marriage); metaphorically, a community newly joined in covenant or relationship

Root / Etymology

Root כָּלַל (k-l-l), meaning 'to complete, perfect, finish, bring to a conclusion.' The noun כַּלָּה is derived from this root, reflecting the sense of completion inherent to the marriage process — i.e., the 'completion' or 'consummation' of the betrothal period and the establishment of the new familial bond. The term is a feminine substantive.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite society, כַּלָּה designated a young woman at the time of her wedding or immediately after, not an ongoing status; the focus is on the rite of passage rather than a permanent relationship label. While it can mean 'daughter-in-law,' this is largely a secondary sense emerging from the newly established familial tie. The primary focus is on entry into the husband's household. The word is found in both narrative and poetic texts (e.g., Genesis 11:31; Song of Songs 4:8–12; Isaiah 62:5). In narratives describing familial relationships (e.g., Ruth 1:6–22), כַּלָּה is used for a woman in relation to her husband's family; English translations often render as 'daughter-in-law.' In poetic and prophetic texts, it is closely paired with חָתָן (ḥatān, 'bridegroom') and may bear metaphorical meanings, as in imagery for communal renewal or restoration (Isaiah 62:5). The Greek Septuagint usually translates with νύμφη (nymphē, 'bride'/'daughter-in-law'), and later Jewish and Christian tradition often render as 'bride.' However, 'wife' as a translation is too broad and can obscure the specific referential window of the Hebrew term. The English term 'bride' is closest in scope to the primary sense but in most Western contexts lacks the familial connotations inherent in the Israelite understanding of marital transition.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

lemma כַּלָה missing dagesh, corrected to כַּלָּה; from כָּלַל; a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife; bride, daughter-in-law, spouse.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כלל (k-l-l) — to complete, to perfect, to finish, to bring to a conclusion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3557 כּוּל and whole-of
H3605 כֹּל in the entirety
H3606 כֹּל in the entirety of
H3626 כׇּל־חֹזֶה entirety of
H3632 כָּלִיל complete

Word Forms

17 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3618-02 כַּלָּ֔ה kalah HNcfsa bride completed woman 9
H3618-05 כַּלָּת֔/וֹ kalato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his daughter-in-law his newly-wed woman 5
H3618-07 כַלָּ֑ה khalah HNcfsa my bride consummation 4
H3618-04 כַּלָּתֶ֔/ךָ kalatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your daughter-in-law your newly-married woman 2
H3618-11 כַלֹּתֶ֖י/הָ khaloteyha HNcfpc/Sp3fs daughters-in-law of her her brides 2
H3618-06 כַּלּֽוֹתֵי/כֶם֙ kaloteykhem HNcfpc/Sp2mp your brides your brides 1
H3618-08 כַלָּתָ/הּ֙ khalatah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her daughter-in-law she completed 1
H3618-13 וְ/כַ/כַּלָּ֖ה vekhakalah HC/Rd/Ncfsa and as a bride and as a completed bride 1
H3618-17 וְ/כַלּוֹתֵי/כֶ֖ם vekhaloteykhem HC/Ncfpc/Sp2mp and your daughters-in-law and your newly-married women 1
H3618-10 כַלָּת֖/וֹ khalato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his daughter-in-law his bride 1

Occurrences in Scripture

34 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3618-05 Genesis 11:31 כַּלָּת֔/וֹ kalato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his daughter-in-law his newly-wed woman
H3618-05 Genesis 38:11 כַּלָּת֜/וֹ kalato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his daughter-in-law his newly-wed woman
H3618-10 Genesis 38:16 כַלָּת֖/וֹ khalato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his daughter-in-law his bride
H3618-04 Genesis 38:24 כַּלָּתֶ֔/ךָ kalatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your daughter-in-law your newly-married woman
H3618-04 Leviticus 18:15 כַּלָּֽתְ/ךָ֖ kalatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your daughter-in-law your newly-married woman
H3618-05 Leviticus 20:12 כַּלָּת֔/וֹ kalato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his daughter-in-law his newly-wed woman
H3618-15 1 Samuel 4:19 וְ/כַלָּת֣/וֹ vekhalato HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms And his daughter-in-law and his newly-married woman
H3618-01 Isaiah 49:18 כַּ/כַּלָּֽה kakalah HRd/Ncfsa like a bride newly-completed bride
H3618-13 Isaiah 61:10 וְ/כַ/כַּלָּ֖ה vekhakalah HC/Rd/Ncfsa and as a bride and as a completed bride
H3618-02 Isaiah 62:5 כַּלָּ֔ה kalah HNcfsa bride completed woman
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