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כַּד

𐤊𐤃

kad

H3537 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כּ־ד uncertain

Definition

A large container, typically of clay or earthenware, used for storing, carrying, or pouring liquids such as water or wine, and sometimes grains or other provisions. In most contexts in the Hebrew Bible, 'kad' refers specifically to a substantial jar or pitcher with handles, used in domestic or communal settings for drawing water from wells or for storage.

Semantic Range

large earthenware vessel, jar, pitcher, water-carrying jar, storage container

Root / Etymology

The etymology is uncertain; the lexeme כַּד (kad) is not transparently related to a known root in classical Hebrew. Strong's suggested 'unused root meaning to deepen' is conjectural and not supported by solid philological evidence. The word appears to be an ancient Near Eastern loanword or regional term for a type of vessel.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite culture, the כַּד played a vital role in daily domestic life, especially for women and daughters tasked with water-carrying (Gen 24:14-20; Judg 7:16-20). Kad marks a specific form of vessel distinguished from smaller jugs (e.g., קַטֹּן, 'kattōn') and larger storage jars (e.g., חָוִית, 'ḥāwît'; אַמְפֹּרָה, 'amporah'). The English terms 'pitcher,' 'jar,' or 'jug' each capture only part of its range; 'pitcher' sometimes suggests a pouring vessel, while 'kad' could also refer to jars primarily for storage or transport. In narrative accounts, 'kad' refers to a household item, not a cultic or luxury object. In later Hebrew and rabbinic literature, related forms continue to denote large clay jars, confirming the persistence of the term. Some translations render 'kad' as 'barrel' or 'pail,' but these reflect later or Western vessel shapes that differ from the ancient Near Eastern type.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to deepen; properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes; barrel, pitcher.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

כד (k-d) — large earthenware vessel, storage jar, water-carrying container

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3539 כַּדְכֹּד sparkling gemstone

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3537-04 כַּדָּ֛/הּ kadah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her jar her large earthenware jar 3
H3537-03 כַּ֤ד kad HNcfsc jar-of earthenware jar of 3
H3537-02 הַ/כַּדִּֽים hakadim HTd/Ncfpa the pitchers the earthenware jars 3
H3537-09 וְ/כַדָּ֖/הּ vekhadah HC/Ncfsc/Sp3fs and her jar and her earthenware jar 2
H3537-08 מִ/כַּדֵּֽ/ךְ mikadekhe HR/Ncfsc/Sp3fs from your jar from your jar 2
H3537-07 כַדִּים֙ khadim HNcfpa jars large earthenware jars 1
H3537-06 כַדֵּ/ךְ֙ khadekhe HNcfsc/Sp2fs your pitcher your water-jar 1
H3537-05 כַדָּ֖/הּ khadah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her jar her earthenware jar 1
H3537-10 וְ/כַדִּ֣ים vekhadim HC/Ncfpa and pitchers and earthenware jars 1
H3537-01 בַּ/כַּ֔ד bakad HRd/Ncfsa in the jar in the earthenware jar 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3537-06 Genesis 24:14 כַדֵּ/ךְ֙ khadekhe HNcfsc/Sp2fs your pitcher your water-jar
H3537-09 Genesis 24:15 וְ/כַדָּ֖/הּ vekhadah HC/Ncfsc/Sp3fs her jar and her earthenware jar
H3537-05 Genesis 24:16 כַדָּ֖/הּ khadah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her jar her earthenware jar
H3537-08 Genesis 24:17 מִ/כַּדֵּֽ/ךְ mikadekhe HR/Ncfsc/Sp3fs from your jar from your jar
H3537-04 Genesis 24:18 כַּדָּ֛/הּ kadah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her pitcher her large earthenware jar
H3537-04 Genesis 24:20 כַּדָּ/הּ֙ kadah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her jar her large earthenware jar
H3537-08 Genesis 24:43 מִ/כַּדֵּֽ/ךְ mikadekhe HR/Ncfsc/Sp2fs from your jar from your jar
H3537-09 Genesis 24:45 וְ/כַדָּ֣/הּ vekhadah HC/Ncfsc/Sp3fs and her jar and her earthenware jar
H3537-04 Genesis 24:46 כַּדָּ/הּ֙ kadah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her jar her large earthenware jar
H3537-10 Judges 7:16 וְ/כַדִּ֣ים vekhadim HC/Ncfpa and pitchers and earthenware jars
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