קוֹמָה
𐤒𐤅𐤌𐤄
qôwmâh
H6967 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Physical height or stature, especially of a person; the vertical measurement of something from base to top. In extended use, can denote stature figuratively—such as rank, standing, or greatness—though the primary sense remains physical height.
Semantic Range
physical height, stature, tallness, vertical measurement, rank (figurative), greatness (figurative)
Root / Etymology
From the root קוּם (qum), meaning 'to rise, stand up, come into being.' קוֹמָה (qôwmâh) is a nominal formation denoting the quality or state associated with rising—thus, 'height' or 'stature.' The word functions as a feminine noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
קֹמָה appears in diverse textual settings, primarily describing the height of individuals (Gen 6:4; Num 13:32) or things (Ezek 41:8). In narrative contexts, emphasis on physical stature often conveys a sense of strength or prominence (e.g., 'men of great stature'). At times, the term contrasts with other vocabulary for 'height' or 'size' that refers to objects, such as גֹּבַהּ (govah), which tends to describe elevation, especially non-human objects or abstract height (cf. Isa 2:11). Notably, post-biblical Hebrew may employ קוֹמָה idiomatically for dignity or status, but in the Hebrew Bible it is most commonly used in its literal, physical sense. English versions translating as 'height,' 'stature,' or 'tall' generally reflect the primary lexical meaning. The use to describe non-Israelites of extraordinary stature in Numbers and Deuteronomy establishes a semantic field of impressiveness or formidable presence, useful for contextualizing passages about Nephilim, Anakim, or other legendary figures. In temple architecture (Ezekiel), the term shifts from living beings to built structures, denoting vertical measurement. There is little evidence of significant semantic shift between pre-exilic and exilic/post-exilic periods; the meaning remains stable.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קוּם; height; [idiom] along, height, high, stature, tall.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קום (q-w-m) — to rise, stand up, be established
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3079 | יְהוֹיָקִים | to YHWH-raises-up |
| H3113 | יוֹיָקִים | and Yahweh-establishes |
| H3137 | יוֹקִים | and YHWH establishes |
| H3351 | יְקוּם | the enduring substance |
| H3356 | יָקִים | to He-Will-Establish |
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6967-07 |
קֹמָתֽ/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height | 21 |
H6967-04 |
קוֹמַת֙ | qomat | HNcfsc |
height | height-of | 8 |
H6967-03 |
קוֹמָ֖ה | qomah | HNcfsa |
of stature | stature | 4 |
H6967-09 |
וְ/קֹמָ֛ה | veqomah | HC/Ncfsa |
and height | and stature | 3 |
H6967-10 |
וְ/קוֹמַת֙ | veqomat | HC/Ncfsc |
and-height-of | and height-of | 3 |
H6967-05 |
קוֹמָתָֽ/הּ | qomatah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
[its] height | her height | 2 |
H6967-02 |
הַ/קּוֹמָה֙ | haqomah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of stature | the height | 1 |
H6967-11 |
בְ/קוֹמָתָ֜/ם | veqomatam | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp |
in their height | in their stature | 1 |
H6967-01 |
בְּ/קוֹמָ֑ה | beqomah | HR/Ncfsa |
in stature | in height | 1 |
H6967-08 |
קומה | qvmh | HNcfsc |
height | height-of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
46 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6967-05 |
Genesis 6:15 | קוֹמָתָֽ/הּ | qomatah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
[its] height | her height |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 25:10 | קֹמָתֽ/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 25:23 | קֹמָתֽ/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 27:1 | קֹמָתֽ/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
[its] height | his height |
H6967-09 |
Exodus 27:18 | וְ/קֹמָ֛ה | veqomah | HC/Ncfsa |
and height | and stature |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 30:2 | קֹמָת֑/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 37:1 | קֹמָתֽ/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 37:10 | קֹמָתֽ/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 37:25 | קֹֽמָת֔/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height |
H6967-07 |
Exodus 38:1 | קֹמָתֽ/וֹ | qomato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its height | his height |