Kelita is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. He is recognized as one of the Levites who played a significant role during the period of the return from the Babylonian exile and the subsequent religious reforms in Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 10:23 · Kelita is listed among the Levites who had taken foreign wives, which was against the Mosaic Law. The context of this passage is the reform led by Ezra, where the Israelites were called to separate themselves from foreign influences to maintain the purity of their worship and community. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer."

2. Nehemiah 8:7 · Kelita is mentioned as one of the Levites who helped the people understand the Law as it was being read by Ezra. This event took place during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of great spiritual renewal for the Israelites. The BSB records: "The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places."

3. Nehemiah 10:10 · Kelita is also listed among those who sealed the covenant, a solemn agreement to follow the Law of God and to live according to His commandments. This covenant was a pivotal moment in the re-establishment of the Jewish community's commitment to God after the exile. The BSB states: "The Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel, and their associates: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan."

Role and Significance:

Kelita's role as a Levite was crucial during the post-exilic period, a time when the Jewish community was striving to restore their identity and religious practices. As a Levite, Kelita was part of the tribe set apart for religious duties, including teaching the Law and leading worship. His involvement in the public reading and explanation of the Law highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to God's commandments, a central theme in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

The mention of Kelita in the context of the covenant renewal underscores his commitment to the spiritual and communal restoration of Israel. By sealing the covenant, Kelita and his fellow leaders demonstrated their dedication to upholding the Law and guiding the people in faithful obedience to God.

Kelita's actions and the reforms he participated in were instrumental in re-establishing the religious and social order of the Jewish people after their return from exile. His contributions reflect the broader narrative of repentance, renewal, and the reaffirmation of the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people.Kelita

(assembly), one of the Levites who returned with Ezra. (Ezra 10:23) He assisted in expounding the law. (Nehemiah 8:7) and signed the covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:10) (B.C. 459-410).

Dwarf, a Levite who assisted Ezra in expounding the law to the people (Nehemiah 8:7; 10:10). KELITA

kel'-i-ta, ke-li'-ta (qeliTa' "dwarf").

See KELAIAH.

7042. Qelita -- a Levite
... 7041, 7042. Qelita. 7043 . a Levite. Transliteration: Qelita Phonetic Spelling:
(kel-ee-taw') Short Definition: Kelita. Word ... 3). Kelita. ...
/hebrew/7042.htm - 6k

Reading the Law with Tears and Joy
... the Lord with their faces to the ground.7. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah,
Jemin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/reading the law with tears.htm

Kelita (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KELITA. kel'-i-ta, ke-li'-ta (qeliTa' "dwarf").
See KELAIAH. Multi-Version Concordance Kelita (3 Occurrences). ...
/k/kelita.htm - 7k

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

Kelaiah (1 Occurrence)
... 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"). ...
/k/kelaiah.htm - 7k

Calitas
... their foreign wives at the request of Esdras (Ezra), 1 Esdras 9:23, "Colius, who
was called Calitas." It is the Greek form of Hebrew Kelita (compare parallel ...
/c/calitas.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

Pelaiah (3 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites ...
/p/pelaiah.htm - 8k

Pelai'ah (3 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, even the Levites ...
/p/pelai'ah.htm - 7k

Hanan (19 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites ...
/h/hanan.htm - 14k

Hodiah (6 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites ...
/h/hodiah.htm - 9k

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