כָּתֵף
the shoulder (proper, i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively
Definition
The Hebrew word כָּתֵף (kâthêph) primarily means 'shoulder,' specifically the upper part of the arm where it joins the body (e.g., Genesis 9:23, 24:15). In a figurative sense, it extends to mean the side or flank of an object, such as the side of a mountain (Joshua 15:8) or the side panels of the tabernacle (Exodus 27:14-15). It also denotes the shoulder pieces of the high priest's ephod, which bore the names of the tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:7, 12). This range of meaning connects the physical human shoulder to architectural and ceremonial 'shoulders' or supports.
Biblical Usage
כָּתֵף appears 58 times across the Old Testament, most frequently in Exodus (17 times) and Ezekiel (12 times). In Exodus, it is used in the construction of the tabernacle (e.g., Exodus 27:14-15) and the priestly garments (Exodus 28:7, 12). It describes carrying burdens on the shoulder (Isaiah 9:4, 10:27) and the sides of geographical features (Joshua 15:8, 18:12). Ezekiel uses it for the sides of temple structures (Ezekiel 40:49, 41:2). The word consistently conveys the idea of a supporting or lateral projection.
Etymology
The noun כָּתֵף derives from an unused root meaning 'to clothe,' likely because the shoulder is the place where garments hang. This connection is seen in the shoulder pieces of the priestly ephod. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'katāpu,' meaning 'to trust' or 'lean on,' reinforcing the shoulder's role as a place of support or bearing.
Semantic Range
Theologically, כָּתֵף is significant in priestly and covenantal contexts. The high priest's ephod had onyx stones on the shoulder pieces engraved with the names of Israel's tribes, symbolically bearing them before God (Exodus 28:12). This prefigures Christ's role as our High Priest who bears our burdens. The imagery of a burden being removed from the shoulder (Isaiah 9:4, 10:27) points to divine deliverance and the lifting of oppressive yokes, enriching our understanding of God's salvific work.
In ancient Israelite culture, the shoulder was a primary place for carrying heavy loads, whether water jars (Genesis 24:15) or the spoils of war (Isaiah 9:4). The 'shoulder' of a mountain or building was understood as its side or flank, a natural extension from the human body. The priestly shoulder pieces were not merely decorative but functioned to secure the ephod and bear symbolic weight, reflecting a culture where physical objects carried deep ritual significance.
זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôaʿ, H2220) — 'arm' or 'forearm,' emphasizing strength and power, whereas כָּתֵף is the joint and bearing point. שְׁכֶם (shekem, H7926) — 'shoulder' or 'back,' sometimes used interchangeably but can refer more specifically to the neck or area for bearing a yoke. צַד (tsad, H6654) — 'side,' a more general term for the lateral aspect of anything, lacking the specific 'bearing' connotation of כָּתֵף.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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