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כֶּלֶב

𐤊𐤋𐤁

keleb

H3611 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כלב dog (animal), to act or be treated as a dog (contemptuous, outsider), male cultic prostitute (euphemistically)

Definition

A domesticated canine animal; in biblical contexts, always refers to the dog, both wild and tame. The term also extends metaphorically or derogatorily to persons—often signaling contempt, outsider status, or ritual impurity. In some texts, by euphemism, refers to a male prostitute, particularly in cultic contexts.

Semantic Range

dog (domesticated canine), derogatory reference to a base or despised person, euphemism for male cultic prostitute; scavenger, outcast, unclean animal

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. While Strong’s implies derivation from a root meaning 'to yelp' or 'to attack,' no such verb is attested in Biblical Hebrew. The word appears throughout Semitic languages (cf. Ugaritic klb, Akkadian kalbu, Arabic kalb), each denoting 'dog,' which suggests a common Semitic noun though the original verbal root is lost.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, כֶּלֶב is the standard term for dog, appearing in both literal and figurative senses. Dogs, unlike in modern societies, were generally viewed negatively in ancient Israel and neighboring cultures—frequently associated with impurity, scavenging, and the margins of society (see 1 Kings 14:11; Psalm 22:17; Exodus 11:7). Metaphorical usage often designates individuals seen as contemptible, outsiders (as in the insult to Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:43), or ritually unclean. In Deuteronomy 23:19 (Eng. 23:18), כֶּלֶב is used euphemistically to refer to a male sacred prostitute associated with non-Israelite cultic practices; later translations and traditions sometimes render this as 'sodomite' or 'male prostitute.' This association, however, is limited in scope and should not obscure the basic zoomorphic sense. Post-biblical Hebrew continues to use keleb for 'dog.' English translations often render all instances as 'dog,' but this can obscure nuances, especially euphemistic or metaphorical applications. The term's semantic field is broader than modern English 'dog' in social connotation and potential secondary meanings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root means. to yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute; dog.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כלב (k-l-b) — dog, canine, despised/outcast person, male cultic prostitute (euphemistic)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3612 כָּלֵב Dog
H3614 כָּלִבּוֹ Calebite
H3619 כְּלוּב wicker enclosure
H3620 כְּלוּב Kelub
H3621 כְּלוּבַי Kelubai

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3611-01 הַ/כְּלָבִ֔ים hakelavim HTd/Ncmpa the dogs the dogs 10
H3611-08 כֶּ֨לֶב֙ kelev HNcmsa a dog dog 6
H3611-02 הַ/כֶּ֗לֶב hakelev HTd/Ncmsa the dog the dog 4
H3611-09 כַ/כָּ֗לֶב khakalev HRd/Ncmsa like a dog like a dog 2
H3611-07 כְּלָבִ֣ים kelavim HNcmpa dogs dogs 2
H3611-10 כָ֑לֶב khalev HNcmsa a-dog Dog 1
H3611-12 לְ/כֶ֤לֶב lekhelev HR/Ncmsa to a dog to a dog 1
H3611-05 כְּ֭/כֶלֶב kekhelev HR/Ncmsa like a dog like a dog 1
H3611-04 כַּלְבֵ֥י kalevey HNcmpc the dogs dogs of 1
H3611-06 כְּלָבֶ֑י/ךָ kelaveykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms of your dogs your dogs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

32 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3611-08 Exodus 11:7 כֶּ֨לֶב֙ kelev HNcmsa a dog dog
H3611-11 Exodus 22:30 לַ/כֶּ֖לֶב lakelev HRd/Ncmsa to the dog to the dog
H3611-08 Deuteronomy 23:19 כֶּ֗לֶב kelev HNcmsa dog dog
H3611-02 Judges 7:5 הַ/כֶּ֗לֶב hakelev HTd/Ncmsa the-dog the dog
H3611-03 1 Samuel 17:43 הֲ/כֶ֣לֶב hakhelev HTi/Ncmsa a dog dog
H3611-08 1 Samuel 24:15 כֶּ֣לֶב kelev HNcmsa a dog dog
H3611-08 2 Samuel 3:8 כֶּ֥לֶב kelev HNcmsa of a dog dog
H3611-02 2 Samuel 9:8 הַ/כֶּ֥לֶב hakelev HTd/Ncmsa the dog the dog
H3611-02 2 Samuel 16:9 הַ/כֶּ֤לֶב hakelev HTd/Ncmsa dog the dog
H3611-01 1 Kings 14:11 הַ/כְּלָבִ֔ים hakelavim HTd/Ncmpa the dogs the dogs
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