כַּלְכֹּל
Calcol, an Israelite
Definition
Calcol is a proper name given to an Israelite man, one of the sons of Zerah, son of Judah, and thus a descendant of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:6). He is noted for his wisdom, being listed among the renowned wise men of his era, though his wisdom was surpassed by that of King Solomon (1 Kings 4:31). The name itself, derived from a root meaning 'sustenance,' may symbolically reflect the idea of being nourished or sustained by wisdom. There are no differing meanings across its two biblical occurrences; it consistently refers to this specific individual.
Biblical Usage
The name Calcol appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in lists of wise men. In 1 Kings 4:31, he is mentioned alongside his brother Darda and others as being less wise than Solomon. In 1 Chronicles 2:6, he is listed in the genealogy of Judah as a son of Zerah. Its usage is exclusively in the context of familial lineage and intellectual reputation within early Israelite history.
Etymology
The name Calcol (כַּלְכֹּל) is derived from the Hebrew root כּוּל (kul, H3557), which carries the core meaning 'to contain, sustain, or nourish.' It is related to the word for 'food' or 'nourishment' (כִּלְכָּלָה, kilkalah). As a personal name, it likely functioned as a hopeful descriptor, perhaps meaning 'sustained' or 'nourished (by God),' reflecting a common practice of using meaningful words for names.
Semantic Range
While Calcol himself is a minor figure, his inclusion in scripture highlights two important themes. First, it underscores the biblical value placed on wisdom, showing that renowned wisdom existed even before Solomon's reign. Second, his placement in the genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:6) contributes to the meticulous preservation of the messianic lineage, tracing the line from which King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ would descend.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often semantically significant, conveying a characteristic, hope, or testimony about God. Bearing a name meaning 'sustenance' may have indicated a family's gratitude or prayer for God's provision. Furthermore, being remembered for wisdom was a high cultural honor, placing an individual among the esteemed counselors and sages of the nation.
Darda (Dardah, H1862) — Calcol's brother, also listed as a wise man in 1 Kings 4:31. Heman (H1968) — Another wise man mentioned alongside Calcol in 1 Kings 4:31. Ethan (H387) — A wise man listed with Calcol, known as an Ezrahite.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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