Lexical Summary koh: thus, so, here, in this manner Original Word: כֹּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance also, here, hitherto, like, on the other side, so and much, such, on that mannerFrom the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now -- also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. see HEBREW huw' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. adverb Definition thus, here NASB Translation also (9), even (1), follows (1), here (4), little while* (1), now (1), other side (1), over there (1), over there* (1), same (1), so (17), such (1), this (2), this is what (2), this side (1), this way (2), thus (518), worse* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כֹּה demonstrative adverb thus, here (Biblical Aramaic כָּה; ᵑ7, ᵑ6:Jerusalem, Mandean כָּא here: in Syriac with prefixes  hither,  (ᵑ6:Jerusalem  ) hence,  where? compare אֵיכָה, p. 32, and Köii. 1, 252) — 1 of manner, thus (so most frequently, and usually pointing to what is to follow, while כֵּן points commonly to what has preceded), Genesis 15:5 כה יהיה זרעך thus shall thy seed be, Numbers 6:23; 1 Kings 2:30 כֹּה דִבֶּר יוֺאָב וְכֹה עָנָנִי, 1 Kings 5:25; Isaiah 24:13 (answered by בְּ, as Jeremiah 23:29); with a substantive Isaiah 20:6 הִנֵּה כֹה מַבָּטֵנוּ, Jeremiah 9:21 (si vera lectio), Jeremiah 23:29; 1 Samuel 27:11. Mostly confined to particular phrases: thus a. with different forms of אמר, כה תאמר thus shalt thou say Exodus 3:14,15; Exodus 19:3; Exodus 20:22 etc.; especially כה אמר יי֞ thus saith (or said) ׳י Exodus 4:22; Exodus 5:1; Exodus 7:17; Exodus 7:26; Exodus 8:16 etc.; and continually in the prophets, as Isaiah 7:7; Isaiah 8:11; Isaiah 18:4 etc.; Jeremiah 2:2,5; Jeremiah 4:27; Jeremiah 6:16 etc.; also in the idiomatic formula אִם כֹּה יאֹמַר if he say (or used to say) (the words spoken following) Genesis 31:8; 1 Samuel 14:9,10; 1 Samuel 20:7; 2 Samuel 15:26. b. with עשׂה to do thus, Exodus 5:15; Deuteronomy 7:5; pointing back, Numbers 22:30; Joshua 6:14; 1 Samuel 27:11 and elsewhere; especially in the phrase כה יעשׂה אלהים וכה יוסיף (with variations), 1 Samuel 3:17 + (see יסף), in which כֹּה points to an imprecation understood but not expressed. With בְּ prefixed 1 Kings 22:20 ויאמר זה בְּכֹה וזה אמר בְּכֹה and one spake in this wise, and another spake in that wise ("" 2 Chronicles 18:19 כָכָהכָּ֗֗֗כָה; probably rightly). 2 of place, here (rare, chiefly in E), Genesis 31:37 שִׂים כֹּה place it here before my brethren, Numbers 23:15 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 18:30; Ruth 2:8. Repeated, Exodus 2:12 וַיִּפֶן כֹּה וָכֹה and he turned this way and that way; כֹּהכֹּ֗֗֗ה on this side . . . on that side Numbers 11:31. With עַד Genesis 22:5 and we will go עַדכֹּֿה as far as here (δεικτικῶς) i.e. yonder. 3 of time, עַד כֹּה hitherto, Exodus 7:16 (compare עַדהֵֿנָּה), Joshua 17:14; עַדכֹּֿה וְעַדכֹּֿה till now and till then, i.e. meanwhile, 1 Kings 18:45. כָּה adverb here (Biblical Hebrew כֹּה; ᵑ7 Mandean כָּא; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic Topical Lexicon Meaning and Range of Usageכֹּה functions as a demonstrative adverb meaning “thus,” “so,” or “here.” Because it can point either to manner (“so it shall be”) or to the content of speech (“thus says”), it becomes one of the most far-reaching connectors in the Old Testament, occurring in narratives, laws, songs, prophecies, wisdom, and prayers. Formulaic Introduction to Divine Speech The most recognizable employment is the prophetic formula כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה, “Thus says the Lord.” From Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1) to Malachi’s closing appeals (Malachi 1:4), the phrase announces that what follows carries divine, not merely human, authority. Examples: Roughly two-thirds of all occurrences lie in prophetic books, underscoring the word’s role as the canonical marker of revelation. Covenantal and Prophetic Authority From Genesis onward, כֹּה frames key covenant statements. To Abram the Lord promises, “So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). The same adverb introduces covenantal cursing and blessing (Deuteronomy 28:37, Zechariah 8:23). Because the word signals exactness, it binds speaker and hearer to the precise obligations of covenant, whether in promise of mercy or threat of judgment (Amos 1:3–2:16). Priestly and Liturgical Applications In priestly materials כֹּה prescribes worship: By prefacing ritual detail with “thus,” Scripture conveys that acceptable worship is revealed, not invented. Judicial and Oath Formulas Kings, soldiers, and commoners employ כֹּה in solemn oaths, often in the imprecatory expression, “May God do so to me, and more also” (Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 3:17; 2 Samuel 19:13; 1 Kings 2:23). The word anchors the gravity of self-malediction and reminds readers that justice ultimately rests with God. Demonstrative and Narrative Usage Narrators use כֹּה to connect action to prior instruction, highlighting precise obedience: It may also locate the speaker (“Stand here,” 1 Samuel 12:7) or compare states (“So it was,” 2 Chronicles 18:11). Distribution in Canonical Corpora Approximate occurrences: The density in prophetic literature highlights the continuity of a single divine voice across centuries. Intertextual and Theological Insights 1. Prophetic Continuity: Every major prophet, from Isaiah to Malachi, shares the same introductory particle, emphasizing a unified prophetic tradition. Ministry Implications for Today • Preaching: The preacher echoes the prophets when he expounds, “Thus says the Lord,” grounding sermons in inspired text rather than human speculation. כֹּה, though a brief word, functions as a hinge on which the authority, clarity, and sufficiency of divine revelation turns. Wherever it appears, readers are summoned to listen, believe, and obey exactly “thus.” Forms and Transliterations בְּכֹ֔ה בְּכֹֽה׃ בכה בכה׃ וְכֹ֖ה וְכֹ֣ה וְכֹ֣ה ׀ וְכֹ֥ה וְכֹֽה־ וָכֹ֔ה וכה וכה־ כֹ֖ה כֹ֛ה כֹ֣ה כֹ֣ה ׀ כֹ֤ה כֹ֥ה כֹ֧ה כֹ֨ה כֹּ֑ה כֹּ֔ה כֹּ֖ה כֹּ֗ה כֹּ֚ה כֹּ֣ה כֹּ֣ה ׀ כֹּ֤ה כֹּ֥ה כֹּ֨ה כֹּֽה־ כֹּֽה׃ כֹּה֙ כֹּה֩ כֹּה֮ כֹּה־ כֹֽה־ כֹה֙ כֹה֩ כה כה־ כה׃ bə·ḵōh beChoh bəḵōh choh koh kōh ḵōh kōh- ḵōh- vaChoh vechoh wā·ḵōh wāḵōh wə·ḵōh wə·ḵōh- wəḵōh wəḵōh-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 15:5 HEB: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ כֹּ֥ה יִהְיֶ֖ה זַרְעֶֽךָ׃ NAS: them. And He said to him, So shall your descendants KJV: them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed INT: to count said So become shall your descendants Genesis 22:5 Genesis 24:30 Genesis 31:8 Genesis 31:8 Genesis 31:37 Genesis 32:4 Genesis 32:4 Genesis 45:9 Genesis 50:17 Exodus 2:12 Exodus 2:12 Exodus 3:14 Exodus 3:15 Exodus 4:22 Exodus 5:1 Exodus 5:10 Exodus 5:15 Exodus 7:16 Exodus 7:17 Exodus 8:1 Exodus 8:20 Exodus 9:1 Exodus 9:13 Exodus 10:3 576 Occurrences |
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; Syriac with prefixes, as 
hither, 
where?); —