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כְּהַל

𐤊𐤄𐤋

kᵉhal

H3546 verb

SILEX Entry

Root כהל to be able, to have power, to have capacity

Definition

To be able, to have the capacity, power, or strength to do or undertake something; denotes possibility or capability in physical, mental, or circumstantial senses. In Biblical Aramaic, often used to express potential action, either as a bare statement of capacity or as a part of a modal construction (e.g. 'can', 'could', 'be able to').

Semantic Range

to be able, can, could, to have strength for doing something, to have the capacity or power to do, to be in circumstances that permit (an action)

Root / Etymology

Root כּהל, corresponding to the Hebrew root כול (k-l), meaning 'to be able, endure, contain.' The Aramaic form כְּהַל (kehal) represents the Qal (basic, simple) verb stem in Biblical Aramaic. While sharing the core sense of ability or capacity, the Hebrew root כול more frequently carries nuances of containing or holding together, while the Aramaic כּהל focuses more directly on the sense of being able or capable.

Historical & Contextual Notes

כְּהַל (kehal) is found in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, such as Daniel and Ezra, in contexts expressing the capacity or power to do something (e.g., Daniel 2:10, 2:47). Its usage mirrors the Hebrew כּוּל (kul) but appears only in Aramaic passages. In earlier Aramaic texts, the verb maintains this core meaning of capability; the nuance remains stable through later Aramaic dialects. English translations like 'can, be able' capture the essential sense, though expressions of potentiality in Aramaic can be broader than in English. No theological connotation attaches to this verb; it is purely functional in describing ability or capacity. Comparison with other Aramaic and Hebrew verbs (such as יכל 'yakhol' in Hebrew) shows overlapping semantic domains, but כּהל is typically more limited to straightforward potentiality without reference to completion or success.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) a root corresponding to and כּוּל; to be able; be able, could.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כהל (k-h-l) — to be able, to have power, to have capacity

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3546-02 כָהֲלִ֤ין khahalin AVqrmpa they are able the able ones 2
H3546-01 כָּהֵ֗ל kahel AVqrmsa able able one 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3546-01 Daniel 2:26 כָּהֵ֗ל kahel AVqrmsa able able one
H3546-01 Daniel 4:15 כָּהֵ֔ל kahel AVqrmsa are able able one
H3546-02 Daniel 5:8 כָהֲלִ֤ין khahalin AVqrmpa were able the able ones
H3546-02 Daniel 5:15 כָהֲלִ֥ין khahalin AVqrmpa they are able the able ones
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