הַ/כֶּ֔לֶב
𐤄/𐤊𐤋𐤁
hakelev
the dog
from an unused root means. to yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute; dog.
2 Kings 8:13 · Word #6
Lexicon H3611
| Lemma | כֶּלֶב |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤊𐤋𐤁 |
| Transliteration | keleb |
| Strong's | H3611 |
| In-context | the dog |
Morphology HTd/Ncmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
SIBI-P1 H3611-02
the yelping dog
| Root | כלב (k-l-b) |
| Core Meanings | dog, yelping, attacking, cur-like behavior |
| Semantic Range | dog (literal animal), cur, scavenger; figuratively a term of contempt; by euphemism a male cult prostitute. |
| Conceptual Significance | In the Hebrew Bible, dogs are typically associated with impurity, scavenging, shame, and social marginality. The term can function as a strong insult or symbolize degradation, highlighting covenantal boundaries and moral contrast within Israel’s worldview. |
| Morphological Notes | Definite article (הַ) + common masculine singular noun in the absolute state (Ncmsa). |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun כֶּלֶב is a masculine singular common noun with the definite article ("the"). The rendering "the yelping dog" preserves the basic lexical sense "dog" while reflecting the probable root nuance of yelping or aggressive attack associated with כלב. |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root כלב (dog, yelping, attacking, cur-like behavior)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H3613-01 |
bekhalev | in Caleb ("Dog") |
H3611-01 |
hakelavim | the yelping dogs |
H3611-03 |
hakhelev | a dog? |
Word Usage (32 occurrences of H3611)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exodus 11:7 | כֶּ֨לֶב֙ | kelev | a dog |
| Exodus 22:30 | לַ/כֶּ֖לֶב | lakelev | to the dog |
| Deuteronomy 23:19 | כֶּ֗לֶב | kelev | dog |