כֹּחַ
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means
Definition
The Hebrew word כֹּחַ (kôach) primarily denotes 'strength' or 'power,' encompassing both physical and abstract senses. In its most common usage, it refers to physical vigor or force, as seen when Jacob tells Laban, 'With all my power (kôach) I have served your father' (Genesis 31:6). Figuratively, it extends to mean capacity, ability, or means, such as agricultural produce ('strength of the land' in Genesis 4:12) or wealth. A unique, literal application in Leviticus 11:30 classifies a type of large lizard (possibly a monitor or gecko) among unclean animals, likely named for its perceived hardiness.
Biblical Usage
כֹּחַ appears 121 times across the Old Testament, with significant usage in the Pentateuch, historical books, Psalms, and prophets. It frequently describes human physical strength (Deuteronomy 8:17-18), military might (Joshua 17:17), and the productive power of the land (Leviticus 26:20). A major theological pattern is its attribution to God's sovereign power, as in Exodus 9:16 and 15:6, where His 'mighty power' is displayed. The word is also used for legal or social capacity, meaning one's resources or ability to act.
Etymology
Derived from an unused root meaning 'to be firm' or 'to be hard,' כֹּחַ conveys the core idea of firmness, solidity, and thus enduring strength. This root concept connects its diverse meanings, from physical hardness (like a lizard's skin) to firmness of resources or resolve. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic and Arabic, also carry meanings related to strength and power, confirming this foundational sense.
Semantic Range
כֹּחַ is theologically significant as it highlights the contrast between human and divine power. Human kôach is consistently shown as limited and dependent (Deuteronomy 8:17-18 warns against forgetting God as the source), while God's kôach is infinite and foundational to creation, redemption, and judgment (Exodus 9:16, Psalm 65:6). Understanding this enriches reading by clarifying passages about strength, revealing that true, lasting power resides not in human ability but in reliance on God's sovereign might.
In ancient Israelite culture, strength (kôach) was a holistic concept tied to survival—encompassing physical vigor for labor and battle, fertility of the land for food, and material resources for social standing. The classification of a lizard as 'kôach' (Leviticus 11:30) reflects an observational naming based on the creature's perceived toughness or firmness, differing from a modern scientific categorization. Wealth as 'strength' also indicates a tangible view of prosperity as a form of social power and security.
גְּבוּרָה (gᵉbûrâ, H1369) — emphasizes might, often heroic or martial strength. עֹז (ʿoz, H5797) — denotes might or strength, frequently used for God's protecting, defensive power. חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — can mean strength, wealth, or army, often in the context of capability, valor, or substance.
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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