כִּלְאַיִם

From the study of Deuteronomy 22:9

Range of meaning

This is a dual noun (a form for pairs) meaning "two kinds" or "two sorts mixed together." It occurs only in Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:9. Leviticus 19:19 applies it to three areas: breeding animals of two kinds, sowing a field with two kinds of seed, and wearing a garment of two kinds of material, defined in Deuteronomy 22:11 as wool and linen.

Against the English

"Two kinds/types of seed" (BSB, WEB, ESV) is accurate. The words "of seed" are supplied by the translators, since the Hebrew just says "two kinds." KJV's "divers seeds" means "different seeds" in older English. A modern reader can mistake "divers" for "diverse" in the sense of "many varied."

Used elsewhere in the period

The LXX renders it diaphoron ("something different"). A whole Mishnah tractate, Kil'ayim, defines which plants count as mixed kinds and how far apart they must be planted. Josephus (Antiquities 4.228–229) explains the law as respecting nature, which "does not delight in the union of things unlike." Philo (Special Laws 4.203ff.) gives moral and allegorical reasons.

From the study of Leviticus 19:19

Range of meaning

"Two kinds" or "two sorts mixed." The form means "a pair," and the root is usually linked to separation or keeping apart (BDB compares an Arabic cognate meaning "two sides"). In the Bible it is used only for mixtures that God's law forbids: three times in this verse and once in Deuteronomy 22:9 (the vineyard).

Against the English

BSB, NIV, ESV and others say "two kinds," which is accurate. KJV varies its wording ("diverse kind," "mingled seed," "mingled"), so English readers miss that one Hebrew word runs through all three rules and binds them together.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint translates it with words for "of another yoke" (heterozygos) and "different" (diaphoros). Philo (Special Laws 4.203–218) and Josephus (Antiquities 4.228–229) both discuss these laws. The Mishnah, the early collection of rabbinic law, gives a whole tractate the name Kilʾayim and works out the rules in detail. At Qumran, the document 4QMMT applies the idea of forbidden mixture to marriages it considered improper.