כִּלְאָב
Kilab, an Israelite
Definition
Kilab is the name of the second son born to King David and Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite (2 Samuel 3:3). He is listed among David's sons born in Hebron, establishing his place in the royal lineage. The name appears only in this single genealogical record, and no further narrative about his life or deeds is provided in the biblical text. In 1 Chronicles 3:1, the parallel list names this son as Daniel, leading to scholarly discussion about whether this represents a second name or a textual variation.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper noun in 2 Samuel 3:3, within a list of David's sons born in Hebron. It functions solely as a personal name with no other semantic usage in the Old Testament. The context is purely genealogical, recording the royal offspring during a specific period of David's reign before he moved his capital to Jerusalem.
Etymology
The name Kilab (כִּלְאָב) is traditionally analyzed as a compound, derived from the root כָּלָא (kālā’, H3607), meaning 'to restrain, withhold, shut up,' and the noun אָב (’āv, H1), meaning 'father.' Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'restraint of (his) father' or 'like his father.' This etymological meaning may carry a narrative or hopeful significance, though the biblical text does not explicitly elaborate on it.
Semantic Range
While Kilab himself is not a major theological figure, his inclusion highlights the importance of genealogy and covenant lineage in the Old Testament. As a son of David, he is part of the royal line from which the Messiah was promised to come (2 Samuel 7:12-16). His brief mention underscores God's faithfulness in building David's house, even through children who do not become central narrative actors. The potential dual naming (Daniel in 1 Chronicles) may also reflect later editorial traditions that sought to clarify or honor the royal records.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or character traits. The name Kilab, potentially meaning 'restraint of his father,' may have conveyed a specific hope or situation at his birth, though its precise cultural nuance is lost. As a son of a king, his birth secured his mother's status and contributed to the strength and legitimacy of David's emerging dynasty during his rule in Hebron.
Daniel (Dānîʼēl, H1840) — The name given to the same son of David in the parallel genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 3:1.
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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