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קְעִילָה

𐤒𐤏𐤉𐤋𐤄

Qeilah

H7084 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קלע to sling, to enclose, to shut in

Definition

Keilah; a fortified settlement or town, most notably referenced as a city in the Shephelah (lowland) region, southwest of Jerusalem. The term, as a toponym, refers to a historically attested town characterized by its fortifications, rather than merely any citadel or fortress in general.

Semantic Range

(as a proper noun) fortified town, settlement with defensive enclosure, specifically the town called Keilah in the Shephelah of Judah; (in tradition) a citadel or stronghold

Root / Etymology

From the root קלע (qalʿ), possibly meaning 'to enclose' or 'to sling.' The name Keilah appears to derive from the verbal concept of enclosing, implying a settlement surrounded or protected—perhaps walled or fortified. However, the specific morphological link between קלע and קְעִילָה is debated and not definitively established. Alternative etymologies have been suggested, but the root קלע remains the most widely posited origin. Etymology ultimately uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Keilah is referenced primarily as a town in the tribal territory of Judah (e.g., Joshua 15:44; 1 Samuel 23:1–13). In the narrative of 1 Samuel, Keilah is depicted as a fortified and strategic site, vulnerable to attack by Philistines and subject to Israelite defense, suggesting its military importance. During the monarchic period, its specific association with fortification distinguished it from smaller villages. The Septuagint uniformly transliterates the name. English versions often retain 'Keilah,’ though some translate or paraphrase as 'fortified town.' Unlike general terms for citadel (e.g., מָצוֹד, בירה), קְעִילָה functions exclusively as a place name. In the post-exilic period, references to Keilah occur in lists of returning exiles (Nehemiah 3:17–18, 7:28), indicating its continued settlement and local significance. The term is not used to designate people (such as 'Keilite') or as a common noun in the biblical period. Later traditions (including some English Bibles) occasionally reference Keilah in discussions of ancient Judean geography.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps from קָלַע in the sense of enclosing; citadel; Keilah, a place in Palestine; Keilah.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קלע (q-l-ʿ) — to sling, to enclose, to shut in

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4734 מִקְלַעַת carved relief
H7049 קָלַע he slung
H7050 קֶלַע in the sling
H7051 קַלָּע the slingers

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7084-03 קְעִילָֽה qeilah HNp Keilah Keilah, enclosed town 14
H7084-02 מִ/קְּעִלָ֔ה miqeilah HR/Np from Keilah from Keilah 2
H7084-01 בִּ/קְעִילָ֔ה biqeilah HR/Np against Keilah in Keilah 1
H7084-04 וּ/קְעִילָ֥ה uqeilah HC/Np and Keilah and Keilah 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7084-04 Joshua 15:44 וּ/קְעִילָ֥ה uqeilah HC/Np and Keilah and Keilah
H7084-01 1 Samuel 23:1 בִּ/קְעִילָ֔ה biqeilah HR/Np against Keilah in Keilah
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:2 קְעִילָֽה qeilah HNp Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:3 קְעִלָ֔ה qeilah HNp to Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:4 קְעִילָ֔ה qeilah HNp to Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:5 קְעִילָ֜ה qeilah HNp Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:5 קְעִילָֽה qeilah-2 HNp Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:6 קְעִילָ֑ה qeilah HNp Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:7 קְעִילָ֑ה qeilah HNp to Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
H7084-03 1 Samuel 23:8 קְעִילָ֔ה qeilah HNp to Keilah Keilah, enclosed town
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