כַּף

𐤊𐤐

kaph

H3709 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כָּפַף to bend, to curve, to bow

Definition

The hollow or concave part of the hand (palm), the sole of the foot, or any similarly shaped, concave or cupped object such as a bowl, dish, or spoon. By extension, can denote the comparable part of an animal's paw, or the frond of a palm tree. In figurative use, it may represent control, capability, or grasp. The term emphasizes the concavity or container-like aspect, whether anatomical or manufactured.

Semantic Range

palm (of the hand), sole (of the foot), paw (of an animal), frond (of palm tree), bowl, dish, spoon, handle, hollow, power (figurative), handful, control (figurative)

Root / Etymology

כָּפַף (kafaf) is the verbal root meaning 'to bend, curve, bow.' כַּף (kaph) is a noun form derived from this root, referring conceptually to something bent or curved, specifically the concave shape of the hand or any object with a comparable shape.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite culture, the כַּף most commonly referred to the palm of the hand—the primary site for tactile work, ritual gestures (e.g., lifting, offering), or receiving objects. In legal and ritual contexts, it could refer to the measured quantity held in the palm (i.e., a handful) or the cupped hand used in temple rituals (such as the incense offering bowls, e.g., Lev 16:12). The word is applied metaphorically to convey power or control (literally, 'in the palm of one's hand'). When referring to animal anatomy, it primarily means the padded, cup-shaped underside of the paw or foot. The term extends to various objects such as bowls or dishes (due to their shape), spoon (as specifically used in cultic or domestic settings), and occasionally the curved leaves of the palm tree. English translations often substitute with 'hand,' 'palm,' or 'spoon,' each capturing only part of the word's semantic field. The concept of 'power' as a figurative extension derives from the hand's role in grasping or controlling. It is distinct from יָד (yad), which more broadly means 'hand' (entire hand, not just the palm); כַּף focuses on the hollow or inside part, making a specific anatomical distinction.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power; branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.

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Root Family

כפף (k-p-p) — to bend, to curve, to bow

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3710 כֵּף and in the hollow rocks
H3721 כָּפַף the bowed ones

Word Forms

52 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3709-10 כַּף kaf HNcfsc dish palm-hollow of 27
H3709-39 מִ/כַּ֥ף mikaf HR/Ncfsc from the hand from the palm 19
H3709-15 כַּפָּ֖י/ו kapayv HNcfdc/Sp3ms his hands his cupped palms 14
H3709-26 כַּפֹּ֣ת kapot HNcfpc the soles cupped-hollows of 11
H3709-29 כַף khaf HNcfsc hands curved palm of 10
H3709-12 כַּפַּ֖/י kapay HNcfdc/Sp1cs my hands my two palms 8
H3709-02 בְּ/כַף bekhaf HR/Ncfsc with the sole in the curved palm of 7
H3709-14 כַּפַּ֖יִם kapayim HNcfda hands two cupped palms 7
H3709-08 הַ/כַּפֹּת֙ hakapot HTd/Ncfpa spoons the curved hollows 5
H3709-18 כַּפֵּ֣י kapey HNcfdc hands of the two hollow-palms of 5

Occurrences in Scripture

195 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3709-38 Genesis 8:9 לְ/כַף lekhaf HR/Ncfsc for the sole of to the curved palm of
H3709-12 Genesis 20:5 כַּפַּ֖/י kapay HNcfdc/Sp1cs of my hands my two palms
H3709-12 Genesis 31:42 כַּפַּ֛/י kapay HNcfdc/Sp1cp of my hands my two palms
H3709-02 Genesis 32:26 בְּ/כַף bekhaf HR/Ncfsc the socket of in the curved palm of
H3709-10 Genesis 32:26 כַּף kaf HNcfsc socket palm-hollow of
H3709-10 Genesis 32:33 כַּ֣ף kaf HNcfsc the socket of palm-hollow of
H3709-02 Genesis 32:33 בְּ/כַף bekhaf HR/Ncfsc the socket of in the curved palm of
H3709-10 Genesis 40:11 כַּ֥ף kaf HNcfsc hand palm-hollow of
H3709-10 Genesis 40:21 כַּ֥ף kaf HNcfsc hand palm-hollow of
H3709-06 Exodus 4:4 בְּ/כַפּֽ/וֹ bekhapo HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms in his hand in his palm-hollow