כֶּחָשׁ
𐤊𐤇𐤔
kechâsh
H3586 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A falsehood, lie, or untruth; also, the act or quality of deception, particularly in the sense of a deliberate misrepresentation or denial of what is true. The term can additionally refer to betrayal or faithlessness, often implying an active intention to deceive or break trust, whether in a legal, interpersonal, or religious context.
Semantic Range
lie, falsehood, deception, denial, faithlessness, betrayal, breach of trust
Root / Etymology
From the root כָּחַשׁ (kakhash), which means 'to lie, be untrue, deny, disown, disappoint, fail.' כֶּחָשׁ (kechâsh) is a noun form signifying the act or quality of lying or deception derived from this verbal root. The form reflects abstract or concrete instances of falsehood.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כֶּחָשׁ appears in texts from classical biblical Hebrew, primarily in poetic, prophetic, and wisdom literature to denote falsehood, deceit, untruthfulness, or denial of commitment. It communicates a breach of trust, sometimes attached to covenants, loyalty, or proper testimony. Its use is distinct from synonyms like שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, deliberate falsehood or deceitful speech in legal/religious settings) and כָּזָב (kazav, lie or vain statement), with כֶּחָשׁ often emphasizing denial or active betrayal. In later usage and translation traditions, English renderings narrow the term to 'lie' or 'falsehood,' but in many biblical contexts the scope is broader, covering acts of faithlessness, disloyalty, and a general state of unreliability. The term occurs in contexts where both interpersonal and covenantal relationships are at stake, reflecting core values of honesty and trust in Israelite society. Over time, the basic sense of deception or denial remains consistent, though the strength of the term can vary depending on context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּחַשׁ; faithless; lying.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כחש (k-ḥ-sh) — be false, deny, deceive, fail
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3586-01 |
כֶּחָשִׁ֑ים | kechashim | HAampa |
deceitful | false ones | false ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3586-01 |
Isaiah 30:9 | כֶּחָשִׁ֑ים | kechashim | HAampa |
deceitful | false ones | false ones |