כּוֹבַע
𐤊𐤅𐤁𐤏
kôwbaʻ
H3553 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A helmet, specifically a form of protective headgear made from metal or other rigid material, worn by warriors or soldiers for defense in battle. In biblical contexts, it denotes the standard military helmet used in ancient Israelite and neighboring cultures, typically signifying both literal head covering in warfare and, metaphorically, protection or security.
Semantic Range
helmet (military headgear), defensive armor for the head, possibly general head covering in very rare post-biblical usage
Root / Etymology
Root/etymology uncertain. The word כּוֹבַע (kôbaʿ) does not have attested verbal or nominal derivatives in Biblical Hebrew, and the Strong's gloss notes a comparison to קוֹבַע (qôbaʿ), but the precise root is unclear though it may be related to notions of something 'high' or 'rounded,' potentially connected to the shape of helmets. The morphological form is that of a masculine noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, notably in 1 Samuel 17:5, 38 and Ezekiel 27:10, always referring to military equipment. In ancient Israelite and broader Near Eastern contexts, the כּוֹבַע was an essential part of a warrior’s armour, distinct from other coverings such as the מִצְנֶפֶת (miṣnefet, priestly turban) or צָנִיף (ṣānîf, headwrap), indicating its specialized military function. Some English versions render it as 'helmet,' which accurately captures its function, though the precise shape and material may have varied historically. The term does not intrinsically carry metaphorical or symbolic connotations in the Hebrew Bible, though later interpretive traditions (e.g., LXX and Christian writings) developed further metaphorical use. The noun also appears in post-biblical Hebrew for 'helmet.' Its rarity and specificity contrast with more general terms for head coverings. Over time, while clothing and armor terms shifted with military technology, כּוֹבַע remained distinctly associated with martial helmets.
Translation Consistency
The word consistently denotes military headgear. “Helmet” is the natural, common English noun that matches the typical biblical usage and covers both singular and plural forms (rendered by inflection in the SIBI system). It also carries the expected metaphorical sense of protection/security while remaining clear and idiomatic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to be high or rounded; a helmet (as arched); helmet. Compare קוֹבַע.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כבע (k-b-ʿ) — to be high, rounded, arched; elevated covering
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3553-02 |
וְ/כ֤וֹבַע | vekhova | HC/Ncmsc |
and helmet | and helmet-of | and helmet | 4 |
H3553-03 |
וְ/כ֣וֹבָעִ֔ים | vekhovaim | HC/Ncmpa |
and helmets | and helmets | and helmets | 1 |
H3553-01 |
בְּ/כ֥וֹבָעִ֑ים | bekhovaim | HR/Ncmpa |
with helmets | in helmets | in helmets | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3553-02 |
1 Samuel 17:5 | וְ/כ֤וֹבַע | vekhova | HC/Ncmsc |
and-helmet | and helmet-of | and helmet |
H3553-02 |
Isaiah 59:17 | וְ/כ֥וֹבַע | vekhova | HC/Ncmsc |
and a helmet | and helmet-of | and helmet of |
H3553-01 |
Jeremiah 46:4 | בְּ/כ֥וֹבָעִ֑ים | bekhovaim | HR/Ncmpa |
with helmets | in helmets | in helmets |
H3553-02 |
Ezekiel 27:10 | וְ/כוֹבַע֙ | vekhova | HC/Ncmsa |
and helmet | and helmet-of | and helmet |
H3553-02 |
Ezekiel 38:5 | וְ/כוֹבָֽע | vekhova | HC/Ncmsa |
and helmet | and helmet-of | and helmet |
H3553-03 |
2 Chronicles 26:14 | וְ/כ֣וֹבָעִ֔ים | vekhovaim | HC/Ncmpa |
and helmets | and helmets | and helmets |