כֵּף
𐤊𐤐
kêph
H3710 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A hollow or cavity within a rock formation, particularly a cave or natural recess; by extension, a large rock mass characterized by a significant hollow or cleft. Primarily denotes a natural geological feature that provides shelter or concealment, but may at times refer more generally to a prominent rock or crag distinguished by its concave form.
Semantic Range
hollow in a rock, cave, concave stone, rock with a cavity, natural recess, sheltering crag
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root כ-פ-ף (כָּפַף, kafaf), meaning 'to bend, curve, bow'. 'כֵּף' is derived from this root, referring to a bent or curved form—here applied to a rock with a concave aspect such as a cave, hollow, or large rock with a recess.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, כֵּף appears infrequently and always describes a specific geological formation characterized by its hollow or concave shape. It should be understood as distinct from other Hebrew terms for rock or stone, such as צוּר (ṣur, 'crag, cliff') or אֶבֶן (ʾeven, 'stone'), which lack the emphasis on a hollowed or curved form. The word's association with shelter or concealment echoes themes of refuge in biblical narrative, notably in passages where individuals seek protection in such natural features. English translations often render the term as 'rock' or 'cave,' but these may overlook the specific nuance of a rock formation marked by a natural cavity or hollow. The word is not associated with the later term for 'palm' (of the hand), though both share the sense of concavity derived from the root.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּפַף; a hollow rock; rock.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כפף (k-p-p) — to bend, to curve, to bow
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3710-01 |
וּ/בַ/כֵּפִ֖ים | uvakefim | HC/Rd/Ncmpa |
and among the rocks | and in the hollow rocks | 1 |
H3710-02 |
וְ/כֵפִֽים | vekhefim | HC/Ncmpa |
and of the rocks | rock-hollows | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3710-01 |
Jeremiah 4:29 | וּ/בַ/כֵּפִ֖ים | uvakefim | HC/Rd/Ncmpa |
and among the rocks | and in the hollow rocks |
H3710-02 |
Job 30:6 | וְ/כֵפִֽים | vekhefim | HC/Ncmpa |
and of the rocks | rock-hollows |