כָּמַהּ
𐤊𐤌𐤄
kâmahh
H3642 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To desire intensely or long for something, to yearn or thirst after, often implying a deep emotional or even physical longing. The word is frequently used in the context of spiritual yearning (as for the presence of God), but may also be applied to deep longing more generally.
Semantic Range
to long for, to deeply desire, to yearn after (emotionally or physically), to pine after, to thirst (in a metaphorical sense)
Root / Etymology
From the root כמּה, meaning 'to long for, yearn,' though the precise formation is rare or somewhat uncertain due to limited attestation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כָּמַהּ appears primarily in poetic and devotional contexts in biblical Hebrew, especially in Psalms (e.g., Ps 63:2 [1]; 84:3 [2]). The term conveys not only intellectual or emotional desire but often implies a visceral, physical dimension—such as a dry land longing for water. It is semantically related to צָמֵא (tsame', 'to thirst'), but כָּמַהּ usually emphasizes yearning as internal and emotional rather than just physical need. Unlike some common verbs for desire or seek (e.g., אָבָה, בָּקַשׁ), כָּמַהּ has a more limited, intense, and often metaphorical usage, making it distinctively poetic. In later Hebrew, derivatives show a similar sense of passionate yearning. Standard English translations like 'long,' 'yearn,' or 'pine' generally capture the sense, but may miss the intense metaphoric or spiritual overtones present in the Hebrew. The word is not tied to a particular period and appears across various genres, but is uncommon outside poetic or devotional texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to pine after; long.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כמה (k-m-h) — to yearn, to long for, to desire intensely
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3643 | כִּמְהָם | Yearning-one (Kimham) |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3642-01 |
כָּמַ֣הּ | kamah | HVqp3ms |
longs | he has yearned | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3642-01 |
Psalms 63:2 | כָּמַ֣הּ | kamah | HVqp3ms |
longs | he has yearned |