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כֹּחַ

𐤊𐤇

kôach

H3581 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כוח to be firm, to have strength, to have capability

Definition

Physical strength, power, or capability—either literal or figurative—referring to the inherent energy, vigor, or capacity of a person, creature, object, or even God. In some contexts, also denotes wealth or resources (as the output or 'strength' of a land), and notably, in one passage, denotes a large lizard (possibly a chameleon). The word is used for a wide range of natural, personal, and supernatural capacities.

Semantic Range

physical strength, personal or divine power, capacity for action, vigor, ability, productive yield, substance, wealth/resources, a species of lizard (chameleon in context)

Root / Etymology

From the root כּוּח or כָּחַח (etymology uncertain), perhaps originally denoting firmness or ability, though this specific root is not attested in Hebrew (the entry is built on patterns of similar triconsonantal roots).

Historical & Contextual Notes

Across biblical literature, כֹּחַ most often signifies human or animal strength, divine power, or the productive strength (yield) of land. For individuals, it can imply physical stamina, prowess in battle, or the ability to act. When applied to God, it denotes omnipotence or acts of creation/deliverance. In agricultural, economic, or poetic texts, it shifts to mean the productive 'substance' or wealth yielded by land—translation as 'wealth,' 'substance,' or 'produce' appears when referencing agricultural output (e.g., Genesis 4:12). In a single context (Leviticus 11:30), כֹּחַ refers to a species of lizard; here, the nuance is likely based on perceived toughness or vitality. Later Jewish tradition and translations sometimes reflect broader applications, rendering it as 'wealth' or 'resources.' English translations commonly rely on 'strength' or 'power,' but these may overlook the nuances of capacity, productivity, or resources. In contrast with עֹז (ʿoz, 'might,' often with military implications), כֹּחַ is more general and inclusive of non-martial strength. The concept of 'wealth' associated with כֹּחַ is relational rather than a primary sense; it is best understood as a metaphorical extension from the notion of productive capacity, as in 'the strength of the land.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (Daniel 11:6) כּוֹחַ; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard; ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כוח (k-w-ḥ) — firmness, strength, capability

Word Forms

30 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3581-13 כֹּ֣חַ kocha HNcmsc strength strength 37
H3581-09 כֹ֔חַ khocha HNcmsa strength strength 12
H3581-20 כֹּחִ֔/י kochi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my strength my strength 12
H3581-21 כֹּח֣/וֹ kocho HNcmsc/Sp3ms his strength his strength 11
H3581-02 בְּ/כֹ֥חַ bekhocha HR/Ncmsa with power in strength 8
H3581-05 בְּ/כֹח֥/וֹ bekhocho HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by-his-power by his strength 7
H3581-03 בְּ/כֹחֲ/ךָ֣ bekhochakha HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms by your power in your strength 5
H3581-28 וְ/כֹ֤חַ vekhocha HC/Ncmsa and strength strength 5
H3581-10 כֹחִ֔/י khochi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my strength my strength 3
H3581-01 בַּ/כֹּ֑חַ bakocha HRd/Ncmsa in power in the strength 3

Occurrences in Scripture

127 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3581-14 Genesis 4:12 כֹּחָ֖/הּ kochah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its strength her strength
H3581-20 Genesis 31:6 כֹּחִ֔/י kochi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my strength my strength
H3581-20 Genesis 49:3 כֹּחִ֖/י kochi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my might my strength
H3581-20 Exodus 9:16 כֹּחִ֑/י kochi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my power my strength
H3581-01 Exodus 15:6 בַּ/כֹּ֑חַ bakocha HRd/Ncmsa in power in the strength
H3581-02 Exodus 32:11 בְּ/כֹ֥חַ bekhocha HR/Ncmsa with great power in strength
H3581-27 Leviticus 11:30 וְ/הַ/כֹּ֖חַ vehakocha HC/Td/Ncmsa and the monitor lizard and the strength
H3581-16 Leviticus 26:20 כֹּחֲ/כֶ֑ם kochakhem HNcmsc/Sp2mp your strength your strength
H3581-29 Numbers 14:13 בְ/כֹחֲ/ךָ֛ vekhochakha HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms by your power by your strength
H3581-13 Numbers 14:17 כֹּ֣חַ kocha HNcmsc power strength
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