קֶלַע
a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself
Definition
The Hebrew noun קֶלַע (qelaʻ) primarily refers to a 'sling,' a weapon used for hurling stones, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:40 where David selects stones for his sling. In most of its biblical occurrences, however, it denotes the 'hangings' or 'curtains' that formed the screen for the courtyard of the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:9-15). This architectural usage likely stems from the idea of something 'slung' or suspended across an opening. A third, less common meaning is 'leaf' (of a door), referring to a hinged valve or panel, as in 1 Kings 6:34.
Biblical Usage
The word is used 22 times in the Old Testament. Its primary context is the construction of the Tabernacle in Exodus (e.g., Exodus 27:9-15; 35:17; 38:9-12), where it consistently refers to the fine linen courtyard hangings. The 'sling' meaning appears in the narrative of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40) and in a proverbial context about a fool and a sling in Proverbs 26:8. The meaning 'leaf' (of a door) is found in the description of Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 6:34.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb קָלַע (qālaʻ, H7049), meaning 'to sling, hurl, or cast.' The noun קֶלַע thus carries the core idea of something that is thrown or, by extension, something that is suspended or hung. This explains the semantic range from a weapon that hurls projectiles to curtains that are hung up.
Semantic Range
This word connects the mundane (a weapon, a curtain) to sacred space. In the Tabernacle, the 'qelaʻ' hangings marked the boundary of the holy courtyard, separating the common from the consecrated area where God dwelt among His people. Understanding this helps visualize the careful design God ordained for worship. Furthermore, its use for David's sling (1 Samuel 17:40) highlights how God uses humble, ordinary tools to achieve His mighty purposes, contrasting human strength with divine power.
The sling was a common and effective weapon in the ancient Near East, used by shepherds for defense and in warfare by specialized troops. The Tabernacle curtains were not merely decorative; they provided necessary privacy and defined sacred space in a portable worship complex. The concept of a door 'leaf' reflects ancient hinged door technology, different from modern doors.
יְרִיעָה (yərîʻâ, H3407) — a curtain or covering, specifically the larger curtains of the Tabernacle's tent itself, as opposed to the courtyard hangings (qelaʻ). אַבְנֵט (ʼaḇnêṭ, H73) — a belt or girdle; not a direct synonym, but related in the sense of something that is bound or wrapped around, contrasting with something slung or hung.
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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