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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "cleave" in the Bible carries a dual meaning, reflecting both the idea of separation and the concept of joining or adhering closely. This duality is evident in the original Hebrew and Greek languages of the Scriptures, where different words are used to convey these meanings.

1.Cleave as Separation:

In the context of separation, "cleave" is often used to describe the act of splitting or dividing. This is seen inGenesis 22:3 , where Abraham "split" the wood for the burnt offering. The Hebrew word used here is "בָּקַע" (baqa), which means to split or break open. This sense of cleaving is associated with physical division and is used metaphorically to describe the separation of people or things.

2.Cleave as Adherence:

Conversely, "cleave" is also used to describe a strong attachment or adherence. This is most famously illustrated inGenesis 2:24 , which states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." The Hebrew word "דָּבַק" (dabaq) is used here, meaning to cling or adhere. This concept of cleaving signifies a deep, covenantal bond, often used to describe the relationship between individuals and God.

3.Cleave in Relationships:

The idea of cleaving in relationships is central to biblical teachings on marriage and family. In the context of marriage, cleaving implies a lifelong commitment and unity between husband and wife, as seen in the aforementionedGenesis 2:24. This union is not merely physical but also spiritual and emotional, reflecting the covenantal nature of marriage as ordained by God.

4.Cleave to God:

The Bible frequently uses the concept of cleaving to describe the relationship between believers and God. InDeuteronomy 10:20 , the Israelites are commanded to "fear the LORD your God, serve Him, and cling to Him." Here, cleaving to God involves loyalty, faithfulness, and a wholehearted commitment to His commandments and ways. This adherence is a response to God's covenantal love and faithfulness towards His people.

5.Cleave in the New Testament:

In the New Testament, the Greek word "κολλάω" (kollao) is used to convey the idea of cleaving or joining.Romans 12:9 exhorts believers to "hate what is evil; cling to what is good." This reflects the moral and ethical dimension of cleaving, where believers are called to adhere to righteousness and reject sin.

6.Cleave and the Church:

The concept of cleaving also extends to the relationship between Christ and the Church.Ephesians 5:31-32 draws a parallel between the marital union and the relationship between Christ and His Church, emphasizing the profound mystery and unity inherent in both. Believers are called to cleave to Christ, reflecting His love and commitment in their relationships with one another.

In summary, the biblical concept of cleaving encompasses both separation and union, with significant implications for personal relationships, spiritual devotion, and moral conduct. Whether describing the division of physical objects or the joining of hearts and spirits, cleaving is a powerful metaphor for the covenantal relationships that define the biblical narrative.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. i.) To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast; to cling.

2. (v. i.) To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to adhere with strong attachment.

3. (v. i.) To fit; to be adapted; to assimilate.

4. (v. t.) To part or divide by force; to split or rive; to cut.

5. (v. t.) To part or open naturally; to divide.

6. (v. i.) To part; to open; to crack; to separate; as parts of bodies; as, the ground cleaves by frost.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

CLEAVE

klev: Is used in the Bible in two different senses:

(1) baqa` "to split," or "to rend." We are told that Abraham "clave the wood for the burnt-offering" (Genesis 22:3), and that "they clave the wood of the cart" (1 Samuel 6:14). The Psalmist speaks of Yahweh cleaving fountain and flood (Psalm 74:15), and the plowman cleaving the earth (Psalm 141:7). For other examples seeJudges 15:19 Ecclesiastes 10:9 Psalm 78:15 Habakkuk 3:9.

(2) dabhaq; kollao, "to adhere to," or "to join one's self to." This meaning is the reverse of the preceding. The Psalmist speaks of his tongue cleaving to the roof of his mouth (Psalm 137:6). We are told that a man should cleave unto his wife (Genesis 2:24 Matthew 19:5). It is said that Ruth clave unto her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:14), and that certain men clave unto Paul (Acts 17:34; compareActs 4:23;Acts 11:23 margin).

"Cleave" is also used in this sense to describe one's adherence to principles. Paul admonished the Romans to cleave to that which is good (Romans 12:9).

A. W. Fortune

Greek

4347. proskollao -- to glue to, fig. tocleave to
... tocleave to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proskollao Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-kol-lah'-o) Short Definition: I join closely,cleave to Definition: (lit...

4977. schizo -- tocleave, split
... tocleave, split. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: schizo Phonetic Spelling:
(skhid'-zo) Short Definition: I rend, divide asunder Definition: I rend...

2853. kollao -- to glue, unite
... to glue, unite. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kollao Phonetic Spelling:
(kol-lah'-o) Short Definition: I glue,cleave, keep company with Definition: (lit...

4357. prosmeno -- to wait longer
... pros and meno; to stay further, ie Remain in a place, with a person; figuratively,
to adhere to, persevere in -- abide still, be with,cleave unto, continue in...

472. antecho -- to hold against, ie to hold firmly to
... an-tekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I hold fast to Definition: trans: I hold against;
intrans: I withstand; mid: I hold out against, hold firmly to,cleave to....

Strong's Hebrew

6398. palach -- tocleave
... palach. 6399 . tocleave. Transliteration: palach Phonetic Spelling: (paw-lakh')
Short Definition: forth.... bring forth,cleave, cut, shred, strike through....

1692. dabaq -- to cling,cleave, keep close
... 1691b, 1692. dabaq. 1693 . to cling,cleave, keep close. Transliteration: dabaq
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-bak') Short Definition: cling. Word Origin a prim....

8156. shasa -- to divide,cleave
... shasa. 8157 . to divide,cleave. Transliteration: shasa Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-sah') Short Definition: split....cleave, be cloven footed, rend, stay....

1234. baqa -- tocleave, break open or through
... 1233, 1234. baqa. 1235 . tocleave, break open or through. Transliteration:
baqa Phonetic Spelling: (baw-kah') Short Definition: split. Word Origin a prim....

2672. chatsab -- to hew, hew out,cleave
... 2671, 2672. chatsab or chatseb. 2673 . to hew, hew out,cleave. Transliteration:
chatsab or chatseb Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-tsab') Short Definition: hewn....

6284. paah -- tocleave in pieces
... 6283, 6284. paah. 6285 . tocleave in pieces. Transliteration: paah Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-aw') Short Definition: pieces. Word Origin a prim....

2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... aid, amend, catch,cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain,. A primitive root;
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively...

1695. dabeq -- a clinging, cleaving
...cleave, joining, stick closer. From dabaq; adhering --cleave, joining, stick closer.
see HEBREW dabaq. 1694, 1695. dabeq. 1696 . Strong's Numbers.

3332. yatsaq -- to pour, cast, flow
... cast,cleave fast, be as firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten, overflow,.
A primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or...

3867. lavah -- to join, be joined
... lavah. 3867a . to join, be joined. Transliteration: lavah Phonetic Spelling:
(law-vaw') Short Definition: with. abide with, borrower,cleave, join self, lender...

Library

Let usCleave to the Righteous: Your Strife is Pernicious.
... Chapter XLVI."Let uscleave to the righteous: your strife is pernicious.
Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that...

Let usCleave to the Righteous: Your Strife is Pernicious.
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XLVI."Let Us
Cleave to the Righteous: Your Strife is Pernicious. Such...

That the Devout Man ShouldCleave to God with Naked Understanding...
... Chapter 6 That the devout man shouldcleave to God with naked understanding
and will. The more you strip yourself of the products...

WeCleave to the Trinity, Our Chief Good, by Love.
... Chapter 14. "WeCleave to the Trinity, Our Chief Good, by Love. 24.... Now this is nothing
but God, to whom we cancleave only by affection, desire, and love....

Since toCleave to God by Retiring from the Noise and Turmoil of...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XL. Since tocleave to God by retiring
from the noise and turmoil of life is? Since tocleave...

Hence Spring Forth the Daily Sins of Infirmity, and Blemishes...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 2 Hence spring forth the daily sins of
infirmity, and blemishescleave even to the best? Hence...

When I Shall with My Whole SelfCleave to Thee...
... Book X Chapter XXVIII When I shall with my whole selfcleave to Thee?
When I shall with my whole selfcleave to Thee, I shall...

In the Hope of the Resurrection, Let usCleave to the Omnipotent...
... Chapter XXVII."In the hope of the resurrection, let uscleave to the
omnipotent and omniscient God. Having then this hope, let...

In the Hope of the Resurrection, Let usCleave to the Omnipotent...
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XXVII."In the Hope of the
Resurrection, Let UsCleave to the Omnipotent and Omniscient God....

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
... That of Nehemiah and Israel is so represented.[322] And finally, those
who engage in the exercise are said tocleave to the Lord....

Thesaurus

Cleave (52 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.CLEAVE. klev... "Cleave" is also used in
this sense to describe one's adherence to principles. Paul...

Asunder (37 Occurrences)
... It is found in combination with break (twice), burst,cleave (twice), depart, cut
(six times), divide (three times), drive, part, pluck, put (twice), rend, saw...

Cleft (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp.) ofCleave. 2. (pp) ofCleave. 3. (v.) imp. &
pp fromCleave. 4. (a.) Divided; split; partly divided or split....

Cleaved (36 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp.) ofCleave. 2. (pp) ofCleave. 3. (pp) of
Cleave. Multi-Version Concordance Cleaved (36 Occurrences)....

Cling (35 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 13:4 You shall walk after Yahweh your God, and fear him, and keep his
commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, andcleave to him....

Fasten (28 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) To cause to hold together or to something else; to attach or unite firmly;
to cause tocleave to something , or tocleave together, by any means; as...

Transferred (5 Occurrences)
... Numbers 36:7 So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe
to tribe; for the children of Israel shallcleave everyone to the inheritance...

Palate (15 Occurrences)
... (See JPS YLT). Psalms 137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tonguecleave to my
palate: if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (DBY YLT)....

Cleaving (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofCleave. 2. (p. pr. & vb. n.)
ofCleave. Multi-Version Concordance Cleaving (10 Occurrences)....

Cleaves (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall
cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. (See RSV)....

Resources

What does it mean to leave and cleave? | GotQuestions.org

How do you balance leave and cleave with honoring your parents? | GotQuestions.org

Dealing with a mother-in-law...? | GotQuestions.org

Cleave: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance •Bible Dictionary •Bible Encyclopedia •Topical Bible •Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Cleave (52 Occurrences)

Matthew 19:5
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shallcleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Mark 10:7
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, andcleave to his wife;
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and will love the other, or he willcleave to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(DBY)

Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they wouldcleave unto the Lord.
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Romans 12:9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil;cleave to that which is good.
(KJV ASV WBS)

Ephesians 5:31
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shallcleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.
(ASV)

Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shallcleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 19:19
lo, I pray thee, thy servant hath found grace in thine eyes, and thou dost make great thy kindness which thou hast done with me by saving my life, and I am unable to escape to the mountain, lest the evilcleave 'to' me, and I have died;
(YLT)

Genesis 34:3
And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
(See JPS WBS YLT)

Exodus 14:16
and thou, lift up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand towards the sea, andcleave it, and the sons of Israel go into the midst of the sea on dry land.
(YLT)

Leviticus 1:17
And he shallcleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Numbers 16:31
And it came to pass, as he made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them;
(See JPS WBS YLT)

Numbers 36:7
So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shallcleave everyone to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV)

Numbers 36:9
So shall no inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shallcleave everyone to his own inheritance."
(WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 4:4
But ye that didcleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)

Deuteronomy 10:20
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thoucleave, and swear by his name.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 11:22
For if you shall diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and tocleave to him;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Deuteronomy 13:4
You shall walk after Yahweh your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, andcleave to him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 13:17
There shallcleave nothing of the devoted thing to your hand; that Yahweh may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show you mercy, and have compassion on you, and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 28:21
The LORD shall make the pestilencecleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 28:60
Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shallcleave unto thee.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 30:20
to love Yahweh your God, to obey his voice, and tocleave to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Joshua 22:5
But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and tocleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Joshua 23:8
Butcleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Joshua 23:12
Else if ye do in any wise go back, andcleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Ruth 2:8
And Boaz saith unto Ruth, 'Hast thou not heard, my daughter? go not to glean in another field, and also, pass not over from this, and thus thou dostcleave to my young women:
(YLT)

Ruth 2:21
And Ruth the Moabitess saith, 'Also he surely said unto me, Near the young people whom I have thou dostcleave till they have completed the whole of the harvest which I have.'
(YLT)

1 Samuel 6:14
And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone; and they cleaved the wood of the cart, and offered up the kine for a burnt-offering unto the LORD.
(Root in JPS WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 26:19
Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be Jehovah that hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before Jehovah: for they have driven me out this day that I should notcleave unto the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods.
(ASV JPS)

2 Samuel 20:2
So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.
(See JPS YLT)

2 Samuel 23:10
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword; and Jehovah wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.
(See JPS YLT RSV)

2 Samuel 23:16
And the three mighty onescleave through the camp of the Philistines, and draw water out of the well of Beth-Lehem, which 'is' by the gate, and take 'it' up, and bring in unto David; and he was not willing to drink it, and poureth it out to Jehovah,
(YLT)

1 Kings 11:2
of the nations concerning which Jehovah said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
(See JPS WBS YLT)

2 Kings 3:26
And the king of Moab seeth that the battle has been too strong for him, and he taketh with him seven hundred men, drawing sword, tocleave through unto the king of Edom, and they have not been able,
(YLT)

2 Kings 5:27
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shallcleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT RSV)

Job 19:20
My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Job 38:38
When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clodscleave fast together?
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Job 41:23
The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can't be moved.
(See RSV)

Psalms 74:15
Thou didstcleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Psalms 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall notcleave to me.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Psalms 102:5
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bonescleave to my skin.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Psalms 119:31
Icleave unto thy testimonies: O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
(ASV DBY JPS RSV)

Psalms 137:6
If I do not remember thee, let my tonguecleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 14:1
For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shallcleave to the house of Jacob.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Jeremiah 13:11
For as the belt cleaves to the waist of a man, so have I caused to cleave to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says Yahweh; that they may be to me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 42:16
then it hath come to pass, the sword that ye are afraid of, doth there overtake you, in the land of Egypt; and the hunger, because of which ye are sorrowful, doth therecleave after you in Egypt, and there ye die.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 3:26
And I will make thy tonguecleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Ezekiel 29:4
And I have put hooks in thy jaws, And I have caused the fish of thy floods tocleave to thy scales, And I have caused thee to come up from the midst of thy floods, And every fish of thy floods to thy scales doth cleave.
(YLT)

Daniel 2:43
And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall notcleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Daniel 11:34
Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shallcleave to them with flatteries.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Habakkuk 3:9
Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didstcleave the earth with rivers.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Zechariah 14:4
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shallcleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Cleave

Related Terms

Palate (15 Occurrences)

Cleft (15 Occurrences)

Cleaves (11 Occurrences)

Cleave (52 Occurrences)

Kisseth (14 Occurrences)

Nebat (25 Occurrences)

Out-places (22 Occurrences)

Infant (14 Occurrences)

Intermarry (5 Occurrences)