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כֹּה

𐤊𐤄

kôh

H3541 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain to be like, to resemble, to be thus (demonstrative manner)

Definition

Demonstrative adverb meaning 'thus,' 'in this manner,' 'so,' indicating the manner, degree, or mode by which something is done, occurs, or is described. Used to introduce or emphasize direct speech, report actions, or highlight a specific way or extent of something. May express present reference ('thus, as follows'), local reference ('here, to this place'), or—as a fixed idiom—temporal reference ('until now,' 'so far,' etc.).

Semantic Range

thus, so, in this manner, as follows, here (rare), hitherto, now (idiomatically), in this way, so far, on this side, in such a manner

Root / Etymology

Root: uncertain. Traditionally understood as a compound of the prefix כְּ (ke, 'as, like') and הוּא (hu', 'he, that one'), though this derivation is possibly folk etymology. The word functions as a deictic adverb of manner or means. Although it is cognate with demonstratives in other Semitic languages, its precise morphological composition is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, כֹּה is used primarily as a formulaic or demonstrative adverb introducing prophetic speech ('Thus says YHWH...'), ritual instructions, or descriptions of action ('he did thus...'). In direct address, it can frame the words or deeds that follow, with a sense of immediacy in legal, prophetic, or narrative contexts. Unlike other demonstrative forms (such as זֶה 'this' or כָּזֶה 'like this'), כֹּה is restricted to adverbial use, especially to indicate manner more than identity. The temporal and spatial nuances are largely contextual or idiomatic, and rarely does כֹּה function as an independent locative or temporal adverb. In later biblical books and post-biblical Hebrew, usage narrows mainly to formulaic introduction of speech. Translations including 'so,' 'thus,' or 'in this way' generally capture the meaning, though English versions sometimes stretch it to 'here' or 'now' to fit context, which can obscure its primarily demonstrative-manner force. Its use as a prophetic formula or legal citation is distinct from narrative or descriptive functions elsewhere.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the prefix k and הוּא; properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now; also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כה (k-h) — likeness, resemblance, demonstrative manner (thusness)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3542 כָּה thus
H3602 כָּכָה thus

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3541-03 כֹּ֥ה koh HD Thus in this manner 487
H3541-02 כֹ֖ה khoh HD thus thus 67
H3541-05 וְ/כֹֽה vekhoh HC/D and thus and thus 20
H3541-01 בְּ/כֹ֔ה bekhoh HR/D in that manner in this manner 2
H3541-04 וָ/כֹ֔ה vakhoh HC/D and that way and thus 1

Occurrences in Scripture

577 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3541-03 Genesis 15:5 כֹּ֥ה koh HD So in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 22:5 כֹּ֑ה koh HD there in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 24:30 כֹּֽה koh HD thus in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 31:8 כֹּ֣ה koh HD thus in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 31:8 כֹּ֣ה koh-2 HD thus in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 31:37 כֹּ֔ה koh HD it here in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 32:5 כֹּ֣ה koh HD Thus in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 32:5 כֹּ֤ה koh-2 HD Thus in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 45:9 כֹּ֤ה koh HD thus in this manner
H3541-03 Genesis 50:17 כֹּֽה koh HD Thus in this manner
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