The Bridegroom Returns: Used with written permission from the artist
Hebrew Lens
I agree with John Tisdale, “I love studying scripture through the lens of the Hebrew language because it is so much more descriptive and carries far more meaning than its English equivalent.” (johntisdale.com, 10/5/2019, The Hebrew Bride. I used to say, “I need a Jewish friend, because I have questions!” Over the last few years, the Father has graciously provided some Messianic Jews resources for teaching. (Check out https://rockislandbooks.com)
A lot of meaning is packed into every word of Scripture, hence the need to “hang on to every word.” Some theologians believe Hebrew was the pure original language and will one day be our language again. Today, let’s begin to look at the word Bride in Hebrew: kallah. To “hang on every word” is to dissect it, study it, question what you do not understand until you do. To literally camp out on a word, verse, chapter, or book for as long as it takes to “get it!”
kallah
Kallah means bride or daughter-in-law depending on the speaker. It originates from the root kalah which means “closed off to the world or completed.” This represents the completion of Adam in Eve. It is a picture of the Bride being no longer available; of the Father completing His family by providing Him with a Bride of His very own. We will get into the actual wedding plan and preparation later.
Living Language
The Hebrew language is rich and fascinating: considered a “living language,” Each letter has four characteristics: form, sound, name, and meaning. Each letter is also represented by a number (gematria), a musical note, frequency, and pitch with healing properties, color, and even parts of the body. (www.colorofsound.com/Hermetics/) It is mind boggling! (http://hebrew4christians.com) (www.studylight.org) To be honest, it is hard to grasp it all. Keep in mind everything in Hebrew culture points to Messiah and is a constant reminder they were to serve the One, True, Living God. The Hebrew people were set apart. Different. Unique. Deuteronomy 7:6-11; I Peter 2:9
Hebrew aleph-beyt
The word kallah is made up of the Hebrew letters: aleph, lamed, and kaph. Hebrew is read right to left: hence kallah. Three letters packed with meaning.
3rd Letter
Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew aleph-beyt or alphabet (pronunciation or sound). The spelling is sometimes alef. This letter has a numerical value of one (1). Its meaning is “father, master, teacher, or wondrous” depending on your resource. The letter aleph is composed of three other letters of the Hebrew alphabet: two yuds and a vav. The yud represents God and the vav represents one’s faith. Our faith unites or yokes us to God. Therefore, the aleph represents unity between God and man. The gematria of one represents the oneness of God. The picture the letter represents is an ox (strength and leader), yoke and learning.
2nd Letter
Lamed is the tallest letter and represents royalty, King of Kings and reveals Messiah. There are two lameds in the word kallah. The letter resembles a shepherd’s staff, a symbol of authority and the meaning is learning or to teach. This letter is the middle letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the twelfth of twenty-two, or the “heart”. The meaning is “to prick, sting, goad. To goad is to spear to action as a result of learning. The gematria is 30: the same number as Judah, and age of full strength, the value of a woman. This letter is also made up of other letters: vav and kaf. (https://thelivingword.org) (chabad.org)
I do not “get this” but I am trying.
1st Letter
Kaph (also Kaf/Khaf) is the eleventh letter in the alphabet sequence. It makes the sound of the English “k” and has a gematria of 20 representing redemption. Its picture is that of a hand or palm, a symbol of blessing. We are “engraved in the palms of His hand.” One of the meanings is “spoon or to bend; to submit oneself to authority, the crown.”
Pearls added
This has only scratched the surface! Enough to digest for today. A word for Bride, kallah, packed with deep spiritual meaning. Each letter points to Messiah, His work, our place in the kingdom, and the blessings of being His. The Torah was taught this way: One beautiful letter at a time, using stories, numbers, pictures, music, color, and the creation around us. Letters put together to form a word of deep spiritual meaning. This is how we become all He wants His Bride to be. Each lesson a tiny pearl placed on the gown (Rev 19:8; 21:2) and the crowns we will wear. (imperishable crown-I Cor 9:25, crown of life-James 1:12, crown of rejoicing-I Thess 2:19, crown of righteousness-II Tim 4:8, and crown of glory-I Peter 5:4)
All this is part of the preparation of the Bride as she awaits the Bridegroom’s return. Lessons given to enhance the beauty of our wedding garments. Is your heart ready to be yoked and submissive to the Bridegroom for eternity? This is the kallah.
Yvonne Jones
Wonderful article. Thank you! One thing is that Kallah is spelled in Hebrew Kaf, Lamed, Lamed, Hey (rather than Alef). The root is Kalal meaning to complete, perfect, make complete, make perfect. A bride does that for her husband. It is also a picture of what we should be upon Messiah’s return, a pure spotless bride.