כָּאָה
𐤊𐤀𐤄
kâʼâh
H3512 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be downcast, faint, languish, or grow weak, especially in spirit or emotion; to become dispirited or lose vitality. In causative forms, to cause to languish, dishearten, or sadden. The verb denotes an inward state of emotional or spiritual weakening rather than physical ruin, often in response to distress, disappointment, or adversity.
Semantic Range
to languish emotionally, lose hope, grow faint in spirit, to be dispirited, to become weak or downcast, to cause to despair or discourage
Root / Etymology
From the root כאה, which conveys the sense of growing weak or faint. The word כָּאָה occurs in verbal forms that denote states or transitions into weakness or emotional exhaustion. It is a primitive Semitic root without clear cognates in closely related languages, and its exact pre-biblical development remains uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כָּאָה appears rarely in the Hebrew scriptures, with notable occurrence in Ezekiel, where it describes the emotional collapse or dispiritedness of leaders facing overwhelming adversity (Ezek 21:7 [Eng. 21:12]). The word differs from related terms such as חלה ('to be sick, fall ill') or רפה ('to become weak, slacken'), as כָּאָה emphasizes a loss of heart or emotional vigor rather than physical illness. It is not used with reference to ritual impurity, moral guilt, or physical destruction. In later periods, the term is absent from standard post-biblical Hebrew, and its nuance did not carry over into rabbinic usage. English translations often render it as 'be broken,' 'be dismayed,' or 'lose heart,' but these only partially capture the depth of inward exhaustion conveyed by the term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to despond; causatively, to deject; broken, be grieved, make sad.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כאה (k-ʾ-h) — to become faint, lose vigor, despair, grow weak inwardly
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3512-04 |
וְ/נִכְאֵ֨ה | venikheeh | HC/VNrmsc |
and brokenhearted | and the one made faint | 1 |
H3512-03 |
וְ/נִכְאָ֔ה | venikheah | HC/VNq3ms |
and he was disheartened | and he became downcast | 1 |
H3512-01 |
הַכְא֤וֹת | hakheot | HVhc |
you have grieved | the disheartening | 1 |
H3512-02 |
כָּאִֽים | kaim | HAampa |
like-nothings | downcast ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3512-01 |
Ezekiel 13:22 | הַכְא֤וֹת | hakheot | HVhc |
you have grieved | the disheartening |
H3512-02 |
Psalms 10:10 | כָּאִֽים | kaim | HAampa |
like-nothings | downcast ones |
H3512-04 |
Psalms 109:16 | וְ/נִכְאֵ֨ה | venikheeh | HC/VNrmsc |
and brokenhearted | and the one made faint |
H3512-03 |
Daniel 11:30 | וְ/נִכְאָ֔ה | venikheah | HC/VNq3ms |
and he was disheartened | and he became downcast |