A Levite who married a foreign woman
Kelaiah
Named in 1 verse of Ezra, first in Ezra 10:23.
קֵלָיָהKelaiah
קְלִיטָאKelita
Also called Kelita.
The name means “voice of the Lord; gathering together.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Kelaiah Written by AI
Kelaiah, also known as Kelita, is mentioned in Ezra 10:23 as one of the Levites who had married foreign women during the time of Ezra. The context of the passage is Ezra's reform, where he addressed the issue of intermarriage between the Israelites and the pagan peoples of the land (Ezra 9-10). Kelaiah is listed among the Levites who had taken foreign wives (Ezra 10:23). As part of the covenant made by the people to put away their foreign wives and children, Kelaiah would have been required to separate from his foreign wife (Ezra 10:10 to 11). The name Kelaiah is used interchangeably with Kelita in this passage, indicating that they refer to the same person. The use of both names may suggest that Kelaiah was his given name, while Kelita was a surname or an alternative name. Apart from this mention in the context of Ezra's reform, no other information is provided about Kelaiah's background, specific role, or the circumstances surrounding his marriage to a foreign woman.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Where the Bible names him
- Ezra 10:23
Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.