קְעִילָה
Keilah, a place in Palestine
Definition
Keilah is a proper noun referring to a fortified city in the lowlands of Judah, within the tribal territory of Judah (Joshua 15:44). It is most prominently featured in the narrative of 1 Samuel 23, where it is a city under threat from Philistine attack, leading David to inquire of the Lord and subsequently rescue its inhabitants. The name itself likely carries the sense of a 'fortress' or 'citadel,' reflecting its strategic, walled nature. While consistently a geographical location, its role shifts from a simple town listing in Joshua to a key stage for David's early military and political actions, demonstrating loyalty and divine guidance.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper noun for a place name. It appears 16 times, primarily in two contexts: as part of the territorial allotment for the tribe of Judah in Joshua 15:44, and extensively in the narrative of 1 Samuel 23:1-13, where it is the setting for David's rescue of the city from the Philistines and the subsequent betrayal by its citizens. All its occurrences are in historical books (Joshua and 1 Samuel), with its usage in 1 Samuel providing narrative depth to its geographical identity.
Etymology
The name קְעִילָה (Qe‛îylâh) is likely derived from the root קָלַע (qāla‛, H7049), which means 'to sling' or 'to hurl.' However, in the context of a place name, scholars often connect it to a derived sense meaning 'fortress' or 'enclosure,' suggesting a walled or fortified town. This etymological connection highlights the city's likely defensive and strategic character in the ancient landscape.
Semantic Range
Keilah is theologically significant as a testing ground for David's character and God's guidance. In 1 Samuel 23, David twice inquires of the Lord (using the ephod) before acting to save Keilah (1 Samuel 23:2, 4), modeling dependence on divine direction. The city's subsequent willingness to betray David to Saul (1 Samuel 23:12) underscores themes of human fickleness versus God's faithful protection, foreshadowing the challenges of David's kingship. Understanding this context enriches the narrative of God's providence in David's life.
As a fortified city in the Shephelah (lowlands), Keilah was a frontline settlement vulnerable to attacks from the Philistines who controlled the coastal plain. Its walls (implied by its name) were crucial for defense. The narrative in 1 Samuel reveals the complex political realities for such towns, caught between Philistine aggression, the renegade David, and the reigning King Saul, forcing them to make perilous decisions about allegiance for their own survival.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name. For related concepts: עִיר (‛îr, H5892) — the generic Hebrew word for 'city' or 'town,' of which Keilah was one. מִבְצָר (mivtsar, H4013) — meaning 'fortress' or 'stronghold,' describing Keilah's likely fortified nature.
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.
Full methodology & sources →