כֹּה
properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
Definition
The Hebrew word כֹּה (kôh) is a versatile demonstrative adverb meaning 'thus,' 'so,' 'here,' or 'in this manner.' It primarily indicates manner, pointing to a specific way something is done, as when God tells Abraham, 'So shall your offspring be' (Genesis 15:5). It can also denote place, meaning 'here' or 'hither,' as in Jacob's instruction, 'I will come to you to Seir' (Genesis 33:14), and occasionally time, meaning 'now' or 'at this point.' Its meaning is always contextual, deriving its specific sense from the action or location it modifies.
Biblical Usage
כֹּה appears over 500 times throughout the Old Testament, with high frequency in narrative and prophetic books like Genesis, Exodus, and Jeremiah. It is commonly used in divine speech to introduce instructions or descriptions (e.g., Exodus 10:24, 'Thus says the LORD...'), in narratives to describe actions ('and he did so'), and in dialogue to point to a present circumstance or location. A pattern emerges where it often precedes direct speech or a demonstrative action, grounding the statement in the immediate context.
Etymology
כֹּה is derived from the demonstrative prefix k- (like, as) and the third-person singular pronoun הוּא (hûʾ, H1931, 'he, it'). This combination essentially means 'like this' or 'as it.' It functions as the adverbial counterpart to the demonstrative pronoun זֶה (zeh, H2088, 'this'), focusing on manner and circumstance rather than a specific object.
Semantic Range
As a key term in divine revelation, כֹּה is the standard introduction to prophetic proclamation: 'Thus says the LORD' (כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה). This formula underscores the authority and immediacy of God's message, presenting it not as abstract truth but as a specific declaration delivered 'in this manner' at a particular time. Understanding this word highlights how biblical revelation is often presented within a concrete historical and relational context, emphasizing God's direct communication with His people.
In ancient Hebrew communication, which was highly oral and contextual, a demonstrative word like כֹּה was essential for pointing to actions, manners, or locations present to the speaker and listener. Its use often implied a gesture or a shared point of reference. The modern concept of abstract 'thus' can lose this embodied, deictic force, which originally tied the statement directly to the immediate situation.
זֶה (zeh, H2088) — A demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this,' pointing to a specific object or person, whereas כֹּה points to manner, place, or circumstance. כֵּן (kēn, H3651) — An adverb meaning 'so,' 'thus,' or 'rightly'; it often confirms or agrees with a preceding statement, while כֹּה can initiate a new description. פֹּה (pôh, H6311) — An adverb meaning 'here,' specifically for location, overlapping with one sense of כֹּה but less versatile.
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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