Lexical Summary Qelita: Kelita Original Word: קְלִיטָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Kelita From qalat; maiming; Kelita, the name of three Israelites -- Kelita. see HEBREW qalat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qalat Definition a Levite NASB Translation Kelita (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְלִיטָא proper name, masculine Levite, Nehemiah 8:7; Nehemiah 10:11 (ᵐ5L in both Καλλιτας) Ezra 10:23 (where called also קֵלָיָה, see קוֺלָיָה), Κωλιεν, Α Κωλιτας ᵐ5L as Nehemiah. קָלִי(אׅ see קלה. קַלַּי see קלל. קֵלָיָה see קְלִיטָא, above Topical Lexicon Identity and Historical Setting Kelita appears exclusively in the post-exilic books that chronicle the restoration of Judah after the Babylonian captivity. He is listed among the Levitical families that returned under Zerubbabel and Ezra, taking up service in a reconstructed temple and community (Ezra 10:23; Nehemiah 8:7; Nehemiah 10:10). These three mentions frame Kelita as a faithful Levite who embraces both the sanctified duties of worship and the moral reforms demanded of the returned remnant. Participation in National Repentance (Ezra 10:23) Ezra 10 records the painful process of corporate repentance concerning intermarriage with foreign wives. Among the Levites required to rectify the matter, Kelita stands alongside Jozabad, Shimei, and Kelaiah. His inclusion signifies a willingness to submit personal life to the revealed will of God for the sake of covenant purity. For the chronicler, Kelita’s obedience models the broader call for holiness that marked the early days of the Second Temple era. Instruction in the Law (Nehemiah 8:7) When Ezra publicly read the Law during the Feast of Trumpets, a cadre of Levites “explained the Law to the people as they stood in their places” (Nehemiah 8:7). Kelita’s name is embedded within this teaching team. The text underscores two key themes: 1. Accessibility—The Law was rendered intelligible to a generation whose language had shifted toward Aramaic. Kelita therefore exemplifies the Levitical calling to bridge the gap between divine revelation and congregational comprehension, a ministry pattern foundational for subsequent synagogue and church teaching offices. Commitment to Covenant Renewal (Nehemiah 10:10) Nehemiah 9 recounts a public confession culminating in a written covenant to walk in the commandments of God. The signatories include priests, Levites, and leaders. “Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan” (Nehemiah 10:10) are counted among the Levites who placed their names on the sealed document. By subscribing to this covenant, Kelita publicly aligns himself with reforms that placed Scripture above tradition, economics, and even family ties—fortifying the moral spine of the fledgling community. Ministerial Significance 1. Guardian of Worship—As a Levite, Kelita participated in the sacred cycles of temple service, underscoring the continuity between pre-exilic worship and its restored counterpart. Theological Reflections The brief glimpses of Kelita trace a seamless narrative: God preserves servants for every stage of redemptive history. His obedience during crisis, service in instruction, and commitment to covenant renewal reveal how the Lord weaves individual faithfulness into corporate restoration. In this way, Kelita becomes a living footnote to the promise of Jeremiah 24:7 that God would give His exiles “a heart to know Me.” Applications for Contemporary Ministry • Holiness remains foundational. Leaders, like Kelita, must address personal compromise before ministering to others. Related Biblical Themes Restoration of worship (Haggai 2:4-9) Public reading of Scripture (Deuteronomy 31:11-13; Luke 4:16-21) Covenant renewal ceremonies (Joshua 24; 2 Chronicles 34) Levites as teachers (2 Chronicles 17:7-9; Malachi 2:7) Kelita’s concise biblical footprint encourages modern readers to value faithfulness over fame. While Scripture affords him only three verses, those verses depict a man who repented fully, taught diligently, and covenanted decisively—an enduring pattern for every servant of God. Forms and Transliterations קְלִיטָ֔א קְלִיטָ֖א קְלִיטָ֣א קליטא keliTa qə·lî·ṭā qəlîṭāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 10:23 HEB: וְקֵֽלָיָה֙ ה֣וּא קְלִיטָ֔א פְּתַֽחְיָ֥ה יְהוּדָ֖ה NAS: Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, KJV: and Kelaiah, (the same [is] Kelita,) Pethahiah, INT: Kelaiah he Kelita Pethakiah Judah Nehemiah 8:7 Nehemiah 10:10 3 Occurrences |
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