Calitas

CALITAS kal'-i-tas (Kalitas, or Kaleitais):

One of the Levites who put away their foreign wives at the request of Esdras (Ezra), 1 Esdras 9:23, "Colius, who was called Calitas." It is the Greek form of Hebrew Kelita (compare parallel passage, Ezra 10:23, elaiah, the same is "Kelita"). He is also named with those who explained the law when read to the people by Esdras (1 Esdras 9:48; compare Nehemiah 8:7). It is not certain whether he is to be identified with the Kelita of Nehemiah 10:10 (one of the Levites who signed the covenant made by Nehemiah). The word probably means "dwarf."

D. Miall Edwards

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'CALITAS'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.