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קָהָה

𐤒𐤄𐤄

qâhâh

H6949 verb

SILEX Entry

Root קהה to be dull, lose sharpness, be blunted, become numb

Definition

To be or become dull, numb, or without sharpness; in reference not only to physical objects (such as a blade or tooth) losing their keen or sharp quality but also, by extension, to senses or feelings becoming blunted or lacking vigor. The term is used metaphorically for losing effectiveness or vitality.

Semantic Range

to lose sharpness (of implements), to be blunted, to become numb (as of teeth or senses), to lose vitality, to be set on edge (idiomatic, of teeth or experience)

Root / Etymology

Root קהל, meaning 'to be dull, to lose sharpness.' Derived as a basic stem verb conveying the process of blunting or growing numb; the root's core meaning is more abstract than mere physical dullness, encompassing diminished sensory or emotional acuteness. No certain cognates are attested in other Semitic languages, making the etymology primarily established through internal Hebrew usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, קָהָה most often appears in contexts describing the loss of sharpness or effectiveness, both literally and figuratively. For example, Ezekiel 21:21, 'the sword is sharpened and also polished... that it may flash like lightning! (Or shall we rejoice?) You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood. (The sword) is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be given into the hand of the slayer.' A related but distinct use is seen in Jeremiah 31:29 and Ezekiel 18:2, where the 'teeth are set on edge' is an idiomatic expression, meaning 'to feel an unpleasant reaction' (as after eating sour food), and here 'set on edge' is a metaphor for a numbed or dulled sensory state. The meaning does not convey physical damage, but a state of reduced function. English translations often render it as 'set on edge' or 'become blunt/dull', which generally matches the Hebrew usage. However, the metaphoric range—describing emotional or communal numbness—may be underappreciated. The word does not appear frequently, and the nuance is often more apparent in prophetic and proverbial literature than in narrative material. Later Hebrew uses similar roots and terms (such as חָרֵף for 'to sharpen') to convey the opposite sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be dull; be set on edge, be blunt.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קהה (q-h-h) — to be dull, lose sharpness, be blunted, become numb

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6949-02 תִּקְהֶֽינָה tiqeheynah HVqi3fp are set on edge they become dull 3
H6949-01 קֵהָ֣ה qehah HVpp3ms is blunt he has blunted 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6949-02 Jeremiah 31:29 תִּקְהֶֽינָה tiqeheynah HVqi3fp are set on edge they become dull
H6949-02 Jeremiah 31:30 תִּקְהֶ֥ינָה tiqeheynah HVqi3fp shall be set on edge they become dull
H6949-02 Ezekiel 18:2 תִּקְהֶֽינָה tiqeheynah HVqi3fp are set on edge they become dull
H6949-01 Ecclesiastes 10:10 קֵהָ֣ה qehah HVpp3ms is blunt he has blunted
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