Topical Encyclopedia
Calah, an ancient city mentioned in the Bible, holds significant historical and biblical importance. It is one of the cities founded by Nimrod, a mighty hunter and ruler, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. The city is part of the Assyrian Empire, which played a crucial role in the history of Israel and the surrounding regions.
Biblical References:Calah is first mentioned in
Genesis 10:11-12: "From that land he went forth into Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen, which is between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city." . This passage highlights Calah as one of the prominent cities established by Nimrod, indicating its early significance in the ancient Near East.
Historical Context:Calah, known today as Nimrud, was located on the Tigris River in what is now modern-day Iraq. It served as a major city in the Assyrian Empire, particularly during the reigns of notable Assyrian kings such as Ashurnasirpal II and Shalmaneser III. Ashurnasirpal II made Calah the capital of Assyria around 879 BC, transforming it into a center of political and military power.
The city was renowned for its impressive architecture and monumental buildings, including palaces and temples adorned with intricate reliefs and sculptures. These artistic achievements reflect the wealth and power of the Assyrian Empire during its zenith.
Archaeological Significance:Excavations at the site of Calah have uncovered a wealth of artifacts and inscriptions that provide insight into Assyrian culture and history. The city's ruins reveal the grandeur of its palaces and the sophistication of its urban planning. Notably, the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II is one of the most significant archaeological finds, showcasing the opulence and artistic prowess of the Assyrians.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, Calah's mention in the Bible underscores the historical reality of the cities and empires that interacted with the people of Israel. The Assyrian Empire, with Calah as one of its key cities, played a pivotal role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Assyrian conquest and exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
The rise and fall of Calah, along with the Assyrian Empire, serve as a testament to the biblical themes of divine sovereignty and judgment. The prophets, such as Isaiah and Nahum, prophesied against Assyria, highlighting the nation's eventual downfall as a consequence of its pride and oppression.
Conclusion:Calah remains a significant site for understanding the historical and biblical context of the ancient Near East. Its mention in the Bible, coupled with archaeological discoveries, provides a deeper appreciation for the complex interactions between the empires of the time and the people of Israel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Calahfavorable; opportunity
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Calah(completion, old age), one of the most ancient cities of Assyria. (Genesis 10:11) The site of Calah is probably market by theNimrud ruins. If this be regarded as ascertained, Calah must be considered to have been at one time (about B.C. 930-720) the capital of the empire.
ATS Bible Dictionary
CalahA city of Assyria, built by Ashur or by Nimrod,Genesis 10:11,12. It was at some distance from Nineveh, and Resen lay between them. It is thought to have been near the river Lycus, the great Zab, which empties into the Tigris.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
One of the most ancient cities of Assyria. "Out of that land he [i.e., Nimrod] went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah, and Resen" (
Genesis 10:11, R.V.). Its site is now Marked probably by the Nimrud ruins on the left bank of the Tigris. These cover an area of about 1,000 acres, and are second only in size and importance to the mass of ruins opposite Mosul. This city was at one time the capital of the empire, and was the residence of Sardanapalus and his successors down to the time of Sargon, who built a new capital, the modern Khorsabad. It has been conjectured that these four cities mentioned in
Genesis 10:11 were afterwards all united into one and called Nineveh (q.v.).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CALAHka'-la (kalach; Chalach, also Chalak or Kalach; in Assyrian Kalhu, Kalha, Kalhi, Kalah): The name of one of the great cities of Nimrod (Genesis 10:11), or rather, Asshur (text), which formed, with Nineveh, Resen between Calah and Nineveh, and Rehoboth-Ir (probably lying more to the North), Asshur's great fourfold capital. The meaning of the name is unknown, but if a Sumerian etymology be accepted, some such signification as "Holy Gate" (Ka-lah) or the like-a parallel to Ka-dingira = Bab-ili, "Gate of God" (see BABEL, BABYLON)-might be regarded as possible.
1. Date of the City's Foundation:
As Nineveh is mentioned by Hammurabi, who reigned about 2000 B.C., it is clear that that city was already, in his time, an important place; and the passage inGenesis 10:11 implies, though it does not actually prove, that Calah was of about the same period.
2. Early References to the City:
The Assyrian king Assur-nacir-apli (circa 885 B.C.) states that Calah was made (probably = founded) by Shalmaneser (I) circa 1300 B.C., but this is possibly simply an indication that he rebuilt it. Later on, the site seems to have become neglected, for Assur-nacir-apli states that, the city having fallen into ruin, he rebuilt it, and it thereafter became practically the capital of the country, for he not only reerected or restored its shrines and temples-the temple of Ninip, with the god's image; the temple of "the Lady of the Land," and the temples of Sin, Gula, and Enlil-but he also received tribute there. Among his other works may be mentioned the water-channel Pati-chengala, and the plantations, whose fruits, apparently, he offered to the god Assur (Asshur), and the temples of the city. It also became a favorite place of residence for the later kings of Assyria,' who built palaces, and restored the city's temples from time to time.
3. Its Position:
Calah occupied the roughly triangular tract formed by the junction of the Greater Zab with the Tigris, which latter stream in ancient times flowed rather closer to the western wall than it does now, and would seem to have separated the small town represented by Selamiyeh from the extensive ruins of Calah, which now bear the name of Nimroud. The main ruins are situated on a large, rectangular platform on the bank of the old bed of the Tigris.
4. The Temple-Tower:
The most prominent edifice was the great Temple-tower at the Northwest corner-a step-pyramid (ziq-qurat) like the Bah towers, constructed of brick faced with stone, and rising, in stages, to a height of circa 126 ft., probably with a sanctuary at the top (see BABEL, TOWER OF). A long vault occupies the basement-stage of this structure, and caused Sir A. H. Layard, its discoverer, to regard it as the probable traditional tomb of Ninus, under whose shadow the tragedy of Pyramis and Thisbe took place. Ovid (Metam. iv.98) describes the tomb of Ninus as having been situated "at the entrance of Nineveh," and, if this be correct, Calah must have been regarded as the southern portion of that great city, which, on a preaching journey, may well have taken three days (Jonah 3:3) to traverse, provided Khorsabad was in reality its northern extremity.
5. The Temples and Palaces:
The platform upon which the temple-tower of Calah was situated measures circa 700 x 400 yds., and the portion not occupied by that erection afforded space for temples and palaces. In the center of the East side of this platform lie the remains of the palace of Assur-nacir-apli, the chambers and halls of which were paneled with sculptured and inscribed slabs, the principal doorways being flanked with finely carved winged and human-headed lions and bulls. In the Southeast corner are the remains of the palace of Esarhaddon, built, at least in part, with material taken from the palace of Tiglath-pileser IV, which was situated in the South portion of the platform. The remains of this last are, as a result of this spoliation, exceedingly meager. The Southwest corner of the platform contains the remains of the last palace built on the site-a very inferior erection constructed for Assur-etil-ilani (circa 626 B.C.).
6. The Temple of Ninip:
One of the temples on this platform was that dedicated to Ninip, situated at the Southwest corner of the temple-tower. The left-hand entrance was flanked by man-headed lions, while the sides of the right-hand entrance were decorated with slabs showing the expulsion of the evil spirit from the temple-a spirited sculpture now in the Nimroud Gallery of the British Museum. On the right-hand side of the entrance was an arch-headed slab with a representation of King Assur-nacir-apli in low relief, standing in the usual conventional attitude. Before it stood a stone tripod altar, implying that Divine honors were paid to this king. (Both these are now in the British Museum.) The remains of another temple were found to the East of this, and there are traces of further buildings at other points of the platform.
7. The Sculptures of Assur-nacir-apli:
The slabs from Assur-nacir-apli's palace show this king's warlike expeditions, but as descriptive lettering is wanting, the campaigns cannot be identified. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, however, they are of considerable importance, showing, as they do, incidents of his various campaigns-the crossing of rivers, the march of his armies, the besieging of cities, the reception of tribute, the life of the camp and hunting the lion and the wild bull. The reliefs from the temples, which are much larger and finer, show the king engaged in various religious ceremonies and ritual acts, and are among the most striking examples of Assyrian of sculpture. When looking at these works of art, the student's thoughts go back with thankfulness to those Assyrians who, through the generations, cared for and preserved these monuments, though the vandalism of Esarhaddon in dressing off the slabs of Tiglath-pileser IV to carve his own bas-reliefs thereon will ever be regretted.
8. The City Walls:
The site is described as being 14 miles South of Kouyunjik (Nineveh) and consists of an enclosure formed of narrow mounds still having the appearance of walls. Traces of no less than 108 towers, the city's ancient defenses, are said to be visible even now on the North and East, where the walls were further protected by moats. The area which the walls enclose-about 2,331 x 2,095 yards-would contain about 1,000 acres.
Layard, Nineveh and Its Remains, and Nineveh and Babylon, still remain the standard works upon the subject, and his Monuments of Nineveh gives the most complete collection of the sculptures found. See also George Smith, Assyrian Discoveries, and Rassam, Asshur and the Land of Nimrod.
T. G. Pinches
Strong's Hebrew
5541.calah -- to make light of, toss aside... 5540, 5541.
calah. 5541a . to make light of, toss aside. Transliteration:
calah Phonetic Spelling: (saw-law') Short Definition: reject.
...calah. 5541a .
...3625. Kelach -- a city in Assyr.
... a city in Assyr. Transliteration: Kelach Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-lakh) Short
Definition:Calah.... NASB Word UsageCalah (2). Kelach, a place in Assyria....
5543. Calluw -- an Israelite priest
... Or Calluw; {sal-loo'}; or Caluw {sal-loo'}; or Callay {sal-lah'-ee}; fromcalah;
weighed; Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites -- Sallai, Sallu, Salu....
5542. selah -- to lift up, exalt
... 74). Selah. Fromcalah; suspension (of music), ie Pause -- Selah. see HEBREW
calah. 5541b, 5542. selah. 5543 . Strong's Numbers.
5552. salsillah -- probably a branch
... branches (1). basket. Fromcalah; a twig (as pendulous) -- basket. see HEBREW
calah. 5551, 5552. salsillah. 5553 . Strong's Numbers.
5544. sillon -- a briar
... brier, thorn. Or callown {sal-one'}; fromcalah; a prickle (as if pendulous); brier,
thorn. see HEBREWcalah. 5543c, 5544. sillon or sallon. 5545 ....
Library
The History after the Flood.
... And Nimrod built the cities Nineveh and Rehoboth, andCalah, and Resen, between
Nineveh andCalah; and Nineveh became a very great city....
Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... Out of that land went forth Assur, and built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and
Calah, and Resen between Nineveh andCalah: this was a great city." Now this...
Chapter x
... From that region he went forth to Assyria and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-ir, and
Calah and Resen, between Nineveh andCalah"this is that great city....
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7
... The empire after the wars of Assur-nazir-pal -- Building of the palace atCalah:
Assyrian architecture and sculpture in the IXth century -- The tunnel of Negub...
Babylonia and Assyria
... the kingdom of Assyria, which soon extended northward into the angle formed by the
Tigris and Upper Zab, where the cities of Nineveh andCalah afterwards arose...
"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... the Antichrist (Isa.14:4). In the verses which follow in Gen.10 we read, "He went
out into Assyria and builded Ninevah, and the city Rehoboth, andCalah," etc....
Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... and Sargon; it would entail permanent hostilities on the Tigris and the Zab, and
perhaps the appearance of barbarian troops under the walls ofCalah or of...
Appendices
... son cir 1400 Bel-nirari, his son 1380 Pudilu (Pedael), his son 1360 Rimmon-nirari
I., his son 1340 Shalmaneser I., his son (the builder ofCalah) 1320 Tiglath...
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... upon his imagination; he returned to it twice in the space of two years to "take
the hands of Bel," and Shalmaneser V. much preferred it toCalah or Nineveh as...
The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... The southern point of this triangle was defended byCalah from the attacks of Chaldoa
or from foes coming down from Media by Iiolwan and Suleimanyeh, while...
Thesaurus
Calah (2 Occurrences)... "Out of that land he [ie, Nimrod] went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh,
Rehoboth-Ir, and
Calah, and Resen" (Genesis 10:11, RV).
...CALAH.
...Resen (1 Occurrence)
... Head of the stream; bridle, one of Nimrod's cities (Genesis 10:12), "between Nineveh
andCalah." It has been supposed that the four cities named in this verse...
Nin'eveh (18 Occurrences)
... here! (See RSV). Genesis 10:11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded
Nineveh, and Rehoboth-ir, andCalah, (See RSV). Genesis...
Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... (seeCALAH; NINEVEH.). Int.... Genesis 10:11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and
builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, andCalah, (KJV JPS DBY YLT)....
Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... AND ITS SURROUNDINGS 1. Its Walls 2. Principal Mounds and Gateways 3. Extent and
Population within the Walls 4. Extent outside the Walls 5.Calah, Resen and...
Calamities (16 Occurrences)
Nebo (13 Occurrences)
... Birs Nimrud. A statue of Nebo found atCalah, where it was set up by Pul,
king of Assyria, is now in the British Museum. (2.) A...
Ir (4 Occurrences)
... Ir (4 Occurrences). Genesis 10:11 Out of that land he went forth into Assyria, and
built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir,Calah, (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)....
Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... Kaphar (Deuteronomy 21:8 Psalm 78:38 Jeremiah 18:23) andcalah (Numbers 30:5, 8,
12; 1 Kings 30, 34, 36, 39, 50, etc.) are used only of Divine forgiveness...
Rehoboth (4 Occurrences)
... Rehoboth (4 Occurrences). Genesis 10:11 Out of that land he went forth into Assyria,
and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir,Calah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS NIV)....
Resources
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