כֶּפֶל

𐤊𐤐𐤋

kephel

H3718 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כפל to double, to fold

Definition

A folding or duplicate, specifically a doubling or something made double; the state or quality of being twofold or doubled, as in paired or duplicated objects or amounts. In context, can refer to something that is formed by being folded or paired, often used for emphasis on replication, excess, or abundance.

Semantic Range

duplicate, double portion, something folded over, doubled layer, paired object, repetition by folding

Root / Etymology

From the root כפל, meaning 'to double' or 'to fold'. 'Kephel' is a noun formation referring specifically to something that is doubled or folded, describing either the process or the result of doubling.

Historical & Contextual Notes

'Kephel' is a rare noun, only found sparingly in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Exodus 26:9), where it refers to a 'double' or 'folded' part of a tent curtain—an architectural or textile feature. Its use is technical, focusing on the physical doubling of material. The root כפל ('to double, fold') often has the abstract sense of repetition or multiplication, but 'kephel' denotes the concrete result—an actual duplicate or doubled object. Related terms like מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh) can also denote 'second,' 'double,' or 'repetition,' but usually in an ordinal or literary sense, while 'kephel' specifically pertains to the state of being doubled via folding.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּפַל; a duplicate; double.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כפל (k-p-l) — to double, to fold

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3717 כָּפַל doubled
H4375 מַכְפֵּלָה in the Double-portion

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3718-02 כִפְלַ֪יִם khifelayim HNcmda double twofold duplicate 1
H3718-03 כִּפְלַ֖יִם kifelayim HNcmda double double-fold 1
H3718-01 בְּ/כֶ֥פֶל bekhefel HR/Ncmsc for your in double-fold of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3718-03 Isaiah 40:2 כִּפְלַ֖יִם kifelayim HNcmda double double-fold
H3718-02 Job 11:6 כִפְלַ֪יִם khifelayim HNcmda double twofold duplicate
H3718-01 Job 41:5 בְּ/כֶ֥פֶל bekhefel HR/Ncmsc for your in double-fold of