Name Old Testament Known
Keilah
Keilah
קְעִילָה qe.i.lah
Keilah (Hebrew: קְעִילָה, qe.i.lah) is a biblical name; its Hebrew etymology is not securely established. It appears in 16 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 31 children in the United States. Use is rising. Around 1,602 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Bani in Nehemiah 3.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Keilah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 16 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 31 | Rising |
| All-time total | 1,602 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 66 in 2005 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Joshua 15:44 |
| Last appears | Nehemiah 3:18 |
| Cross-references | 161 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Hashabiah co-occurrence Appears with Hashabiah in Nehemiah 3.
- Naham co-occurrence Appears with Naham in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Eshtemoa co-occurrence Appears with Eshtemoa in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Henadad co-occurrence Appears with Henadad in Nehemiah 3.
- Garmites co-occurrence Appears with Garmites in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Bani co-occurrence Appears with Bani in Nehemiah 3.
- Hodiah co-occurrence Appears with Hodiah in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Bavvai co-occurrence Appears with Bavvai in Nehemiah 3.
Origin & meaning
§ Keilah = "fortress"
a city in the lowlands of Judah northwest of Hebron
Keilah, a town in the Shephelah of Judah, was rescued by David from Philistine attack but later threatened to betray him to Saul (Joshua 15:44; 1 Samuel 23).
The biblical story
Keilah was a town located in the Shephelah, or lowland region, of Judah (Joshua 15:44). During the time of King Saul, the Philistines attacked Keilah and robbed the threshing floors. David, who was fleeing from Saul at the time, inquired of the Lord and was directed to go and save Keilah (1Sa.23.1-5). David and his men successfully defended the town against the Philistines. However, when Saul heard that David was in Keilah, he planned to besiege the city and capture him. David again sought the Lord's guidance and learned that the people of Keilah would surrender him to Saul. As a result, David and his men left Keilah and continued to evade Saul (1Sa.23.7-13). Keilah is also mentioned in the genealogies of Judah (1Ch.4.19) and in the context of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls during the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:17-18). The exact location of Keilah is uncertain, but it is believed to be in the western foothills of Judah, possibly at the site of Khirbet Qila, about 8 miles northwest of Hebron.
Key verses
Keilah appears in 16 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
Joshua 15:44 -
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
1 Samuel 23:1 -
Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
1 Samuel 23:2 -
And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
1 Samuel 23:3 -
Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
1 Samuel 23:4
Show all 16 references
Joshua (1)
- Joshua 15:44
1 Samuel (12)
- 1 Samuel 23:1
- 1 Samuel 23:2
- 1 Samuel 23:3
- 1 Samuel 23:4
- 1 Samuel 23:5
- 1 Samuel 23:6
- 1 Samuel 23:7
- 1 Samuel 23:8
- 1 Samuel 23:10
- 1 Samuel 23:11
- 1 Samuel 23:12
- 1 Samuel 23:13
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 4:19
Nehemiah (2)
- Nehemiah 3:17
- Nehemiah 3:18