כָּפַשׁ
𐤊𐤐𐤔
kâphash
H3728 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To tread down or subdue, usually by physical force or authority. Also used figuratively for bringing into subjection, suppressing, or overcoming (e.g., peoples, territories, emotions). Rarely, it can mean to cover, as in spreading over or overlaying, though this sense is secondary.
Semantic Range
to subdue (peoples, lands), to bring into subjection, to suppress, to tread down, to cover (rare/secondary sense)
Root / Etymology
Root כּ-פ-שׁ (k-p-sh). The root meaning is 'to tread, press down, subdue.' The verb form כָּפַשׁ likely derives from the idea of pressing or treading with the feet to overcome or dominate either land or people. The 'cover' sense may reflect a secondary development from the notion of pressing something down upon another.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כָּפַשׁ is not a common verb in the Hebrew Bible and most appearances are within poetic or prophetic contexts, often referring to the act of subjugating nations or enemies, both literally (conquest of physical territory) and metaphorically (overcoming in battle or suppressing evil). Its usage overlaps somewhat with כָּנַע (kana‘, 'to humble, subdue'), but כָּפַשׁ more strongly connotes the physical act of trampling down or forcibly suppressing. The rare sense 'to cover' is attested primarily in post-biblical Hebrew or late biblical poetry, and is not its central biblical usage. Later rabbinic Hebrew took on the sense of suppression or pressing for emotions/desires, extending the metaphorical reach. English translations often render it as 'subdue,' 'subjugate,' 'bring under,' or in rare cases, 'cover,' but 'cover' does not reflect the main biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to tread down; figuratively, to humiliate; cover.
Bantu Hebrew
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כפשׁ (k-p-sh) — to tread down, to subdue, to suppress
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3728-01 |
הִכְפִּישַׁ֖/נִי | hikhepishani | HVhp3ms/Sp1cs |
he made me cower | he subdued me | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3728-01 |
Lamentations 3:16 | הִכְפִּישַׁ֖/נִי | hikhepishani | HVhp3ms/Sp1cs |
he made me cower | he subdued me |