5543. Calluw
Lexical Summary
Calluw: Completion, end, destruction

Original Word: סַלּוּ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Calluw
Pronunciation: kal-loo'
Phonetic Spelling: (sal-loo')
KJV: Sallai, Sallu, Salu
Word Origin: [from H5541 (סָלָה - Roast)]

1. weighed
2. Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Sallai, Sallu, Salu

Or Calluw; {sal-loo'}; or Caluw {sal-loo'}; or Callay {sal-lah'-ee}; from calah; weighed; Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites -- Sallai, Sallu, Salu.

see HEBREW calah

Brown-Driver-Briggs
סַלּוּ proper name, masculine a priest, Zerubbabel's time, according to Nehemiah 12:7 (ᵐ5L Σαλονια), = סַלַּי Nehemiah 12:20 ᵐ5L Σαλοναι; omitted by BA in both).

סָלוא proper name, masculine a Simeonite Numbers 25:14, ᵐ5 Σαλμων, A Σαλω, ᵐ5L Σαλωμ.

סַלּוּא proper name, masculine a post-exile Benjamite 1 Chronicles 9:7 (ᵐ5 Σαλωμ, A Σαλω) = סַלֻּא Nehemiah 11:7 (ᵐ5 Σηλω, ᵐ5L Σαμαα).

סַלַּי proper name, masculine 1. Nehemiah 12:20 = סַלּוּ q. v.

2 סַלָּ֑י a Benjamite Nehemiah 11:8, ᵐ5 Σηλε(ε)ι.



Topical Lexicon
Sallu (Strong’s Hebrew 5543)

Historical Span of the Name

The name Sallu is scattered across Israel’s account from the wilderness generation (Numbers) to the post-exilic community rebuilt under Ezra and Nehemiah. Its holders appear in three distinct contexts: (1) a Simeonite house involved in the sin at Peor, (2) Benjamite families counted in the chronicler’s register and Jerusalem’s resettlement list, and (3) a priestly house that served in the restored temple.

The Simeonite Sallu and the Sin at Peor

Numbers 25:14 introduces “Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family.” The verse highlights how high-ranking lineage did not shield Israel from judgment when covenant boundaries were crossed. That tragedy underscores the seriousness with which God regards both leadership and holiness in His people. Although Salu himself is not charged with wrongdoing, the death of his son serves as a sober reminder that family prestige offers no exemption from divine discipline.

Benjamite Sallu and the Continuity of the Remnant

1 Chronicles 9:7 and Nehemiah 11:7–8 name a Sallu among the sons of Benjamin who returned from exile to dwell in Jerusalem:

• “from the Benjamites: Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah” (1 Chronicles 9:7).
• “These were the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam… nine hundred twenty-eight in all” (Nehemiah 11:7-8).

The Chronicler emphasizes that the restored community was not merely Judah and Levi; Benjamin also supplied valiant men to maintain the city’s population and defense. The mention of Sallu’s extended genealogy affirms God’s faithfulness to preserve tribal identities despite the exile’s disruptions, thereby keeping covenant promises alive.

Priestly House of Sallu and Worship in the Second Temple

Nehemiah 12 lists Sallu twice among priestly leaders who served in the days of Jeshua and Joiakim:

• “Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah” (Nehemiah 12:7).
• “Amok, Hilkiah, and Sallu” (Nehemiah 12:20).

Their inclusion attests that the priesthood, though reduced in numbers, remained structured and traceable. The priests of Sallu’s house stood shoulder to shoulder with more familiar names such as Hilkiah, ensuring that daily offerings, feasts, and the reading of the Law continued according to the divine pattern. In an age when lineage was critical for temple service (Ezra 2:62), the lineage of Sallu validated the legitimacy of his descendants’ ministry.

Interweaving of Tribal and Priestly Lines

The appearance of Sallu in both Benjamite and priestly records may reflect separate individuals bearing the same name rather than one man with dual roles. Yet together they illustrate how God employs multiple tribes in rebuilding His worshiping community: Benjamin includes gatekeepers and city guards; Levi supplies temple musicians and priests; Judah provides political leadership. The recurrence of the name across these spheres quietly affirms the unity of purpose binding all segments of Israel’s restored remnant.

Theological and Ministry Reflections

1. Leadership Accountability: The catastrophe at Peor shows that even leaders’ families are subject to God’s righteous standard. Modern ministry cannot presume immunity from discipline on account of position or heritage.
2. Covenant Preservation: The genealogical precision surrounding Sallu’s Benjamite line underscores Scripture’s reliability and God’s commitment to covenant continuity. Believers can trust that the same God preserves His church through exiles, dispersions, and persecutions.
3. Legitimate Worship: The priestly descendants of Sallu exemplify the necessity of authorized service. Proper lineage in Israel anticipates the New Covenant requirement of a regenerated heart; both underscore that worship must align with God’s revealed order.
4. Shared Responsibility: Multiple bearers of the same name in varied functions picture a body where distinct callings converge in a single mission—to honor the Lord and safeguard His dwelling among His people.

Summary

Though briefly mentioned, the several individuals named Sallu mark decisive moments: judgment in the wilderness, the resettlement of Jerusalem, and the organization of temple worship. Each occurrence contributes to Scripture’s testimony that God judges sin, preserves a remnant, and re-establishes true worship—purposes ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah and perpetuated in His church.

Forms and Transliterations
לְסַלַּ֥י לסלי סַלָּ֑י סַלֻּ֡א סַלּ֣וּ סַלּוּא֙ סָל֑וּא סלא סלו סלוא סלי lə·sal·lay lesalLai ləsallay sā·lū sal·lāy sal·lu sal·lū salLai sallāy sallu sallū saLu sālū
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Numbers 25:14
HEB: זִמְרִ֖י בֶּן־ סָל֑וּא נְשִׂ֥יא בֵֽית־
NAS: the son of Salu, a leader
KJV: the son of Salu, a prince
INT: was Zimri the son of Salu A leader household

1 Chronicles 9:7
HEB: בְּנֵ֖י בִּנְיָמִ֑ן סַלּוּא֙ בֶּן־ מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם
NAS: of Benjamin [were] Sallu the son
KJV: of Benjamin; Sallu the son
INT: the sons of Benjamin Sallu the son of Meshullam

Nehemiah 11:7
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן סַלֻּ֡א בֶּן־ מְשֻׁלָּ֡ם
NAS: of Benjamin: Sallu the son
KJV: of Benjamin; Sallu the son
INT: are the sons of Benjamin Sallu the son of Meshullam

Nehemiah 11:8
HEB: וְאַחֲרָ֖יו גַּבַּ֣י סַלָּ֑י תְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת
KJV: him Gabbai, Sallai, nine
INT: and after Gabbai Sallai nine hundred

Nehemiah 12:7
HEB: סַלּ֣וּ עָמ֔וֹק חִלְקִיָּ֖ה
NAS: Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah
KJV: Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah,
INT: Sallu Amok Hilkiah

Nehemiah 12:20
HEB: לְסַלַּ֥י קַלָּ֖י לְעָמ֥וֹק
KJV: Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok,
INT: of Sallai Kallai of Amok

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5543
6 Occurrences


lə·sal·lay — 1 Occ.
sal·lāy — 1 Occ.
sal·lū — 3 Occ.
sā·lū — 1 Occ.

5542
Top of Page
Top of Page