The meaning of “כַּלָּה”
Understanding kallâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
bride, daughter-in-law, spouse. - a bride (as if perfect) - hence, a son's wife 1) bride, daughter-in-law 1a) daughter-i...
כַּלָּה
bride, daughter-in-law, spouse. - a bride (as if perfect) - hence, a son's wife 1) bride, daughter-in-law 1a) daughter-in-law 1b) bride, young wife
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 38:16 | “And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?” Word: כַּלָּה (kallâh) | |
| Ruth 1:22 | “So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth–lehem in the beginning of barley harvest. ” Word: כַּלָּה (kallâh) | |
| 1 Chronicles 2:4 | “And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.” Word: כַּלָּה (kallâh) | |
| Isaiah 61:10 | “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Word: כַּלָּה (kallâh) | |
| Ezekiel 22:11 | “And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour’s wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father’s daughter.” Word: כַּלָּה (kallâh) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Bride
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Bride, daughter-in-law
The Hebrew kallah (כַּלָּה) means bride. Israel is portrayed as God's bride in the prophets: 'as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee' (Isaiah 62:5).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Bride
The Greek numphe (νύμφη) means bride. The church is 'the bride, the Lamb's wife' (Revelation 21:9), prepared for her Bridegroom. 'The Spirit and the bride say, Come' (Revelation 22:17).