קְלִיטָא
Kelita, the name of three Israelites
Definition
Kelita is a proper name given to three different individuals in the Old Testament. The name appears in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah, specifically among the Levites who served in the restored temple community. In Ezra 10:23, a Levite named Kelita is listed among those who had married foreign wives and pledged to send them away. In Nehemiah 8:7, a Levite named Kelita is mentioned as one who helped the people understand the Law as Ezra read it. Finally, in Nehemiah 10:10, a Kelita is among the Levites who sealed the covenant of faithfulness to God.
Biblical Usage
The name Kelita is used exclusively in the post-exilic historical books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It appears three times, each time identifying a Levite. The contexts are significant moments of religious reform and covenant renewal: addressing intermarriage (Ezra 10:23), explaining the publicly read Law (Neh. 8:7), and signing a binding agreement to follow God's commands (Neh. 10:10). This pattern suggests the individuals bearing this name were active participants in the spiritual restoration of Judah after the Babylonian exile.
Etymology
The name Kelita (קְלִיטָא) is derived from the Hebrew root קָלַט (qālaṭ, H7038), which means 'to maim,' 'to lame,' or figuratively, 'to disgrace.' It is a passive participle form, which could be interpreted as 'maimed' or 'lame.' As a personal name, it likely functioned similarly to many Hebrew names that described a circumstance of birth or a hoped-for divine intervention, though the precise reason for its bestowal is not explained in the biblical text.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its bearers' roles are significant. The Kelitas were Levites involved in key acts of national repentance, instruction, and covenant commitment during the critical period of Israel's restoration. Their presence highlights the importance of the Levitical priesthood in teaching God's law (Neh. 8:7-8) and leading the people in faithful obedience (Neh. 10). Understanding the name's connection to 'maiming' may also subtly point to themes of human brokenness and God's work of restoration among his people.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often held meaning related to circumstances, hopes, or attributes. A name derived from 'to maim' might seem unusual today, but it fit within the broader practice of descriptive naming. It could have commemorated a physical condition at birth, symbolized a hope for God's healing, or served as a reminder of humility. As Levites, these men held a sacred duty to assist the priests and teach the people, a role central to maintaining Israel's identity after the exile.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Other Levitical names from the same context include: Meremoth (מְרֵמוֹת, H4822) — another Levite in the lists of Ezra and Nehemiah; and Jozabad (יוֹזָבָד, H3107) — a common Levitical name in the restoration period.
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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