כַּלְנֶה
𐤊𐤋𐤍𐤄
Kaleneh
H3641 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Kalneh (כַּלְנֶה) is the name of one or more ancient cities mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, likely located within the region associated with Mesopotamia or the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The term refers specifically to an urban settlement known from ancient Near Eastern contexts, and does not describe a general geographic area but a specific city or cities by that name.
Semantic Range
an identified ancient city (Kalneh/Calneh/Calno) in Mesopotamia or Assyria, variant naming (Kalno), place of symbolic or historical significance, possible reference to more than one location across time
Root / Etymology
Of uncertain origin, generally considered to be of non-Hebrew (foreign, likely Akkadian or West Semitic) derivation. The word does not correspond clearly to an attested Hebrew root. Scholars have proposed connections to Akkadian city names, but no secure derivation is agreed upon.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, כַּלְנֶה appears in passages listing prominent cities, primarily in Gen 10:10, Isa 10:9 (as כַּלְנוֹ), and Amos 6:2. The city is presented alongside other culturally significant Mesopotamian centers (Shinar, Babel, Accad, Erech), indicating its importance at various historical junctures. The form כַּלְנוֹ (Kalno) in Isa 10:9 appears to be a variant or dialectal form referring to the same or a closely related city. English translations commonly render the name phonetically ('Calneh', 'Calno'), but sometimes English translations supply commentary or interpretive labels that do not reflect the ancient context. Some have identified the city with Kullani/Kullanhu, near Arpad in northern Syria, or with Nippur or Ctesiphon, but its exact identification remains debated. The mention in Genesis 10 presents Kalneh as one of the foundational cities of Nimrod's kingdom, situating it in a primeval context to emphasize Mesopotamian culture. Later references (Isaiah, Amos) use Kalneh as an example of urban power subject to conquest, making symbolic use of its reputation and fate. In all biblical uses, the term signifies a historically significant urban center in Mesopotamian or Assyrian imperial space, not a collective or abstract geographical concept. The relation to כַּנֶּה (H3651) is uncertain, though the names are superficially similar.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or כַּלְנֵה; also כַּלְנוֹ; of foreign derivation; Calneh or Calno, a place in the Assyrian empire; Calneh, Calno. Compare כַּנֶּה.
Bantu Hebrew
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כלנה (uncertain) (k-l-n-h (uncertain)) — city name, urban center (foreign origin)
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3641-02 |
כַֽלְנֵה֙ | khaleneh | HNp |
to Calneh | Kalneh | 1 |
H3641-03 |
וְ/כַלְנֵ֑ה | vekhaleneh | HC/Np |
and Calneh | and Kalneh | 1 |
H3641-01 |
כַּלְנ֑וֹ | kaleno | HNp |
Calno | Kalno | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3641-03 |
Genesis 10:10 | וְ/כַלְנֵ֑ה | vekhaleneh | HC/Np |
and Calneh | and Kalneh |
H3641-01 |
Isaiah 10:9 | כַּלְנ֑וֹ | kaleno | HNp |
Calno | Kalno |
H3641-02 |
Amos 6:2 | כַֽלְנֵה֙ | khaleneh | HNp |
to Calneh | Kalneh |