כלב
Kalev
Caleb is the English name for the Hebrew biblical character represented by כלב (Kalev).
כלב is a proper name used to refer to the biblical figure Caleb.
Meaning: biblical character (name)
How do you pronounce it?
Kalev
Did you know?
- The name כלב shares the exact same spelling and root as the Hebrew word for 'dog', כֶּלֶב.
- Because the name כלב sounds like the word for 'dog', some scholars suggest it was chosen to symbolize the character's loyalty.
- Because of the phonetic overlap with 'dog', the name כלב is quite rare in modern secular Israeli circles compared to its biblical prominence.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a Bible study lesson.
- דניאל Danielרוטם, את מכירה את הדמות של כלב?Rotem, at mekira et ha-demut shel Caleb?Rotem, do you know the character of Caleb?
- רוטם Rotemכן, הוא היה נאמן מאוד לאלוהים.Ken, hu haya ne'eman me'od l'Elohim.Yes, he was very faithful to God.
- דניאל Danielזה נכון, כלב הדגים את הארץ.Ze nachon, Caleb hidag et ha-aretz.That's true, Caleb scouted the land.
- רוטם Rotemהוא באמת דמות מעניינת.Hu be'emet demut me'anyenet.He really is an interesting character.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries כלב, CC BY-SA 4.0.
