כְּלוּב

a bird-trap (as furnished with a clap-stick or treadle to spring it); hence, a basket (as resembling a wicker cage)

Definition

The Hebrew word כְּלוּב (kᵉlûwb) primarily refers to a bird-trap, specifically one designed with a clap-stick or treadle mechanism that springs shut to capture birds. By extension, it also denotes a basket, likely because its woven, cage-like structure resembled such a trap. In the Old Testament, this dual meaning is evident: in Jeremiah 5:27, it describes a cage filled with birds as a metaphor for deceit, while in Amos 8:1–2, it refers to a basket of summer fruit, symbolizing the ripe judgment coming upon Israel.

Biblical Usage

כְּלוּב appears only three times in the Old Testament, all in prophetic books. In Jeremiah 5:27, it is used metaphorically as a 'cage' full of birds to illustrate how the wicked ensnare people through deceit. In Amos 8:1–2, it appears twice as a 'basket' of summer fruit, where it serves as a visual pun—the Hebrew for 'summer fruit' (qayits) sounds like 'end' (qets), signaling Israel's impending judgment. Thus, its usage shifts from a literal trap in Jeremiah to a symbolic object in Amos.

Etymology

כְּלוּב derives from the same root as כֶּלֶב (kelev, H3611), meaning 'dog,' though the connection is not entirely clear. It may relate to the idea of 'restraining' or 'enclosing,' as both traps and baskets confine their contents. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian, also point to meanings involving baskets or containers, suggesting a development from a general term for a woven enclosure to specific items like traps and baskets.

Semantic Range

This word holds theological significance in its prophetic contexts, where it underscores themes of judgment and human sinfulness. In Jeremiah 5:27, the 'cage' metaphor exposes the entrapment of injustice, highlighting God's awareness of hidden evils. In Amos 8:1–2, the 'basket' of fruit becomes a divine object lesson, illustrating that Israel's moral decay has reached its 'end' and judgment is imminent. Understanding כְּלוּב enriches reading by revealing how prophets used everyday objects to convey urgent spiritual truths about accountability and God's timing.

In ancient Israel, bird-traps with spring mechanisms were common hunting tools, often made from wicker or wood, reflecting practical ingenuity. Baskets, similarly woven, were essential for storage and transport, especially for agricultural produce like the summer fruit in Amos. The cultural familiarity with these items made them effective symbols in prophecy, as listeners would instantly grasp their implications—whether the confinement of a trap or the perishability of fruit—bridging daily life with spiritual messages.

פַּח (pach, H6341) — a more general term for a bird-trap or snare, often used metaphorically for sudden danger or entrapment, without the specific mechanism implied by כְּלוּב. סַל (sal, H5536) — a common term for a basket, typically for carrying bread, fruit, or offerings, lacking the cage-like connotation of כְּלוּב.

Word Details

Scripture References