Kelaiah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra. He is identified as one of the Israelites who returned from the Babylonian exile and was found to have taken a foreign wife, contrary to the Mosaic Law. This action was part of a broader issue faced by the returning exiles, as intermarriage with foreign women was seen as a threat to the religious and cultural identity of the Israelite community.

Biblical Reference:

Kelaiah is mentioned in Ezra 10:23. The Berean Standard Bible states: "From the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer." In this context, Kelaiah is listed among the Levites who had taken foreign wives. The passage is part of a larger narrative where Ezra, a scribe and leader, calls the people to repentance and to separate themselves from these marriages to restore their covenantal purity before God.

Name and Identity:

The name Kelaiah means "voice of Jehovah" or "assembly of Jehovah," reflecting a theophoric element common in Hebrew names, which often include a reference to God (Yahweh). In the same verse, he is also referred to as Kelita, which may be a variant or diminutive form of his name. This dual naming is not uncommon in biblical texts and may indicate a personal or familial name alongside a more formal or public designation.

Role and Significance:

Kelaiah's role as a Levite is significant, as the Levites were a tribe set apart for religious duties and service in the temple. Their involvement in the issue of intermarriage highlights the gravity of the situation, as even those dedicated to religious service were not exempt from the community's failings. The Levites were expected to uphold the law and serve as spiritual leaders, making their transgressions particularly noteworthy.

The account of Kelaiah and others in Ezra 10 underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness and the community's commitment to God's commandments. The narrative reflects the post-exilic community's struggle to re-establish their identity and religious practices in accordance with the Torah.

Historical and Theological Context:

The return from exile was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marked by efforts to rebuild the temple and restore religious practices. The issue of intermarriage was not merely a social concern but a theological one, as it threatened the distinctiveness of the Israelite faith and their covenant relationship with God. Ezra's reforms, including the call for the dissolution of these marriages, were aimed at preserving the purity of worship and adherence to the law.

Kelaiah's inclusion in the list of those who repented and separated from their foreign wives indicates a willingness to align with the community's renewed commitment to God's commandments. This act of repentance and obedience was crucial for the spiritual renewal and unity of the post-exilic community.

In summary, Kelaiah serves as a representative figure in the broader narrative of Israel's return from exile and the challenges they faced in maintaining their covenantal identity. His account is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's law and the ongoing need for repentance and reform in the life of the community.Kelaiah

voice of the Lord; gathering together

Kelaiah

(swift messenger of Jehovah) = KELITA. (Ezra 10:23)

KELAIAH

ke-la'-ya, ke-li'-a (qelayah, "swift for Yah"[?]; Kolios; Codex Vaticanus, Konos): One of the priests who had "foreign wives" (Ezra 10:23, also "Kelita"). In parallel list of 1 Esdras 9:23, he again has a double name-"Colius" and "Calitas." A "Kelita" is named as helping Ezra at the expounding of the law (Nehemiah 8:7; compare 1Es 9:48, "Calitas"), and also among the signatories of the covenant (Nehemiah 10:9; for nature of covenant see Nehemiah 10:28). They may not, however, be the same person.

7041. Qelayah -- a Levite
... 7040, 7041. Qelayah. 7042 . a Levite. Transliteration: Qelayah Phonetic
Spelling: (kay-law-yaw') Short Definition: Kelaiah. ... Kelaiah. ...
/hebrew/7041.htm - 6kKelaiah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia KELAIAH. ... They may not, however, be the same
person. Multi-Version Concordance Kelaiah (1 Occurrence). ...
/k/kelaiah.htm - 7k

Kelai'ah (1 Occurrence)
Kelai'ah. Kelaiah, Kelai'ah. Kelal . ... Ezra 10:23 And of the Levites: Jozabad,
and Shimei, and Kelaiah--the same is Kelita--Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. ...
/k/kelai'ah.htm - 6k

Kelita (3 Occurrences)
... See KELAIAH. Multi-Version Concordance ... Ezra 10:23 Of the Levites: Jozabad, and Shimei,
and Kelaiah (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. ...
/k/kelita.htm - 7k

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)
Kei'lah. Keilah, Kei'lah. Kelaiah . Multi-Version Concordance Kei'lah (16
Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Keilah, Kei'lah. Kelaiah . Reference Bible.
/k/kei'lah.htm - 10k

Keli'ta (3 Occurrences)
... Keli'ta (3 Occurrences). Ezra 10:23 And of the Levites: Jozabad, and Shimei, and
Kelaiah--the same is Kelita--Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. (See RSV). ...
/k/keli'ta.htm - 7k

Jozabad (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezra 10:23 Of the Levites: Jozabad, and
Shimei, and Kelaiah (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. ...
/j/jozabad.htm - 11k

Jo'zabad (7 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezra 10:23 Of the Levites: Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah (the
same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. (See RSV). ...
/j/jo'zabad.htm - 8k

Elie'zer (14 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezra 10:23 And of the Levites: Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah--
the same is Kelita--Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. (See RSV). ...
/e/elie'zer.htm - 10k

Petha-hi'ah (1 Occurrence)
... Petha-hi'ah (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:23 And of the Levites: Jozabad, and Shimei,
and Kelaiah--the same is Kelita--Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. (See RSV). ...
/p/petha-hi'ah.htm - 6k

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