כַּלָּה
a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife
Definition
The Hebrew word כַּלָּה (kallâh) primarily means 'bride,' referring to a woman who is newly married or about to be married, as seen in the Song of Songs (e.g., Song of Solomon 4:8-12). It also commonly denotes a 'daughter-in-law,' the wife of one's son, a usage prominent in the stories of Ruth (Ruth 1:6-7) and Tamar (Genesis 38:11, 16, 24). In legal contexts, such as Leviticus 18:15 and 20:12, the term specifically addresses the daughter-in-law within laws prohibiting certain familial relationships.
Biblical Usage
The word appears 34 times across narrative, legal, and poetic books. In narrative, it often describes family relationships, as in Genesis and Ruth. In legal texts (Leviticus), it defines prohibited kinship ties. Poetically, it symbolizes beauty and intimacy, most notably in the Song of Songs where the beloved is called 'bride' (e.g., Song of Solomon 4:8-12, 5:1). The usage shifts meaning based on context: 'daughter-in-law' in family narratives and law, and 'bride' in romantic or metaphorical poetry.
Etymology
Derived from the root כָּלַל (kālal, H3634), meaning 'to complete, perfect, or crown.' This suggests the concept of a bride as one who is 'perfected' or made complete in the marital union. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to marriage and adornment, reinforcing the idea of a bride as one who is adorned and honored.
Semantic Range
The word carries significant theological weight, especially in prophetic and poetic literature where Israel is metaphorically depicted as God's bride (e.g., Isaiah 62:5, Jeremiah 2:32). This imagery underscores God's covenantal love, faithfulness, and the ideal of a restored relationship. Understanding כַּלָּה enriches the reading of the Song of Songs as an allegory of divine love and informs New Testament bridal imagery for the Church (Revelation 21:2, 9).
In ancient Israelite culture, a כַּלָּה (bride/daughter-in-law) held a crucial role in family continuity and honor. Marriage was a covenant establishing new family ties, with the daughter-in-law expected to bear children to secure the lineage. The term's dual meaning reflects her dual identity: as a bride, she enters a new household; as a daughter-in-law, she is integrated into its structure, subject to its authority and inheritance laws, differing from modern individual-focused marriage concepts.
אִשָּׁה (ʾishshâ, H802) — a general term for 'woman' or 'wife,' without the specific marital-stage connotation of כַּלָּה. בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûlâ, H1330) — specifically a 'virgin' or young unmarried woman, emphasizing maidenhood rather than bridal status. חֲתֻנָּה (ḥăthunnâ, H2861) — refers to the 'wedding' or marriage ceremony itself, not the person.
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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