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כִּלְיָה

𐤊𐤋𐤉𐤄

kilyâh

H3629 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כ־ל־י vessel, contain, hold

Definition

An anatomical term referring to the kidneys, considered both literal internal organs and, figuratively, as the seat of one's innermost emotions, conscience, or disposition. In ritual and poetic contexts, represents the physical kidneys; in figurative language, especially in poetry and prayers, denotes one's deepest feelings, moral inclinations, or inner nature.

Semantic Range

kidneys (as internal organs), seat of emotions or conscience, inner self, moral or emotional disposition

Root / Etymology

From the root כּ־ל־י (כְּלִי), which broadly means 'vessel, container.' כִּלְיָה is a feminine noun formed from this root, conceptually referring to an 'internal vessel,' specifically the kidney as a container within the body. The term's usage as a metaphor for the inner person likely arises from the kidney's hidden, internal placement and ancient understandings of human physiology and psychology.

Historical & Contextual Notes

כִּלְיָה appears primarily in the plural form (כְּלָיוֹת), especially in priestly literature dealing with animal sacrifice (e.g., Leviticus, Exodus), where the kidneys were removed and offered as part of prescribed rituals. In wisdom literature and psalms, the word frequently appears in a figurative sense, referring to a person's inner thoughts, emotions, or moral discernment—similar to how the 'heart' is also used in Hebrew. Ancient Near Eastern peoples, including the Israelites, commonly regarded the kidneys and the heart as centers of thought, emotion, and moral character, not just anatomy. Later English versions sometimes render כִּלְיָה as 'reins,' an archaic term that modern readers often misunderstand. In the Hebrew Bible, the word never directly refers to intellectual thinking processes but rather to unconscious motives, desires, and moral character. Its usage diminishes after the Babylonian exile as physiological language becomes less central to discussions of moral character.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of כְּלִי (only in the plural); a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self); kidneys, reins.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כלי (k-l-y) — vessel, container, holding

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3629-02 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֔ת hakelayot HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys 15
H3629-05 כִלְיוֹתָֽ/י khileyotay HNcfpc/Sp1cs my kidneys my kidneys 5
H3629-03 כְּלָי֖וֹת kelayot HNcfpa kidneys inner vessels 2
H3629-06 כִּלְי֣וֹת kileyot HNcfpc kidneys kidney-vessels of 2
H3629-07 כִּ֭לְיוֹתַ/י kileyotay HNcfpc/Sp1cs my kidneys my kidneys 1
H3629-11 וְ֝/כִלְיוֹתַ֗/י vekhileyotay HC/Ncfpc/Sp1cs and my kidneys and my kidneys 1
H3629-08 מִ/כִּלְיוֹתֵי/הֶֽם mikileyoteyhem HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp from their mind from their kidneys 1
H3629-10 וְ/הַ/כְּלָיֹ֔ת vehakelayot HC/Td/Ncfpa and the kidneys and the kidneys 1
H3629-09 וּ/כְלָי֗וֹת ukhelayot HC/Ncfpa and kidneys and inner vessels 1
H3629-01 בְּ/כִלְיוֹתָ֔/י bekhileyotay HR/Ncfpc/Sp1cs into my kidneys in my kidneys 1

Occurrences in Scripture

31 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3629-02 Exodus 29:13 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֔ת hakelayot HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Exodus 29:22 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֗ת hakelayot HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 3:4 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֔ת hakelayot HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 3:4 הַ/כְּלָי֖וֹת hakelayot-2 HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 3:10 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֔ת hakelayot HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 3:10 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֖ת hakelayot-2 HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 3:15 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֔ת hakelayot HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 3:15 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֖ת hakelayot-2 HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 4:9 הַ/כְּלָיֹ֔ת hakelayot HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
H3629-02 Leviticus 4:9 הַ/כְּלָי֖וֹת hakelayot-2 HTd/Ncfpa kidneys the kidneys
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