קְהֵלָתָה
𐤒𐤄𐤋𐤕𐤄
Qehelatah
H6954 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Kehelathah is a proper noun referring to a specific geographic location mentioned in the itinerary of the Israelite wilderness journey. The term designates a site, likely a station or encampment, whose name is derived from the idea of assembly or convocation, reflecting a place associated with gathering.
Semantic Range
proper noun (place name), station or encampment in the wilderness journey, etymologically 'assembly' or 'convocation'
Root / Etymology
From the root קהל (q-h-l), 'to assemble, gather, call together.' The noun קְהֵלָתָה is formed as a proper place name based on the concept of an assembly or gathered group, suffixed in a way typical for names of localities.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Kehelathah is mentioned only in the wilderness itinerary in Numbers 33:22-23 as a stopping point during the Exodus. The name itself likely reflects a place associated with assembly or a notable gathering, though the biblical text does not provide additional information about activities or significance at this site. There is no consensus regarding its precise location; it is otherwise unattested outside the itinerary list. The name is related to the broader root קהל, used for assemblies or gatherings throughout the Hebrew Bible. English translations generally leave the name untranslated or transliterated (e.g., 'Kehelathah'), but some older versions may imply a meaning such as 'place of assembly,' which is not directly supported by usage evidence beyond the name's etymology. The term is distinct from other desert locations associated with significant events or cultic gatherings (such as Sinai or Kadesh), and there is no evidence it held sustained religious or political importance beyond its mention in the journey narrative.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָהַל; convocation; Kehelathah, a place in the Desert; Kehelathah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קהל (q-h-l) — assemble, gather, call together
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4721 | מַקְהֵל | in gathered assemblies |
| H4722 | מַקְהֵלֹת | in Assemblies |
| H6950 | קָהַל | in being assembled |
| H6951 | קָהָל | in the summoned assembly |
| H6952 | קְהִלָּה | summoned assembly |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6954-02 |
מִ/קְּהֵלָ֑תָה | miqehelatah | HR/Np |
from Kehelathah | from Assembly-Place | 1 |
H6954-01 |
בִּ/קְהֵלָֽתָה | biqehelatah | HR/Np |
at Kehelathah | in Assembly-Place | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6954-01 |
Numbers 33:22 | בִּ/קְהֵלָֽתָה | biqehelatah | HR/Np |
at Kehelathah | in Assembly-Place |
H6954-02 |
Numbers 33:23 | מִ/קְּהֵלָ֑תָה | miqehelatah | HR/Np |
from Kehelathah | from Assembly-Place |