כָּאָה (ka.ah)
ka.ah
be disheartened; disheartened
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ka’ah describes a state of being disheartened or cowed. In the Old Testament, it appears rarely, with occurrences in Psalm 10:10 and Daniel 7:25. The word captures more than simple sadness; it conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or crushed by pressure, leading to a loss of courage or strength.
In its most common form (Niphal), the verb suggests that a person becomes cowed or downhearted under the weight of adversity. For instance, in Psalm 10:10, it describes how the poor are suppressed and forced into silence, their spirit broken by oppression. The imagery is one of shrinking back in fear or despair rather than standing firm.
The Hiphil form, found in Daniel 7:25, shifts the focus to the cause: "make sad" or "cower." Here, it describes a power that intends to break the resolve of God’s people. This usage highlights the external force that seeks to induce fear and submission, contrasting with the steadfastness expected of the faithful.
Translators often render ka’ah as "disheartened," "cowed," or "crushed." These choices reflect the word’s emphasis on the emotional and spiritual impact of pressure. It is not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep reaction to circumstances that threaten one’s sense of security or dignity.
Understanding ka’ah helps readers grasp the intensity of the struggles faced by biblical figures. It acknowledges the reality of feeling overwhelmed while also pointing to the need for divine support in such moments. The word serves as a reminder that even when spirits are low, God remains present and active.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ka’ah describes a deep sense of being crushed or cowed by pressure. It goes beyond simple sadness to capture the feeling of having your courage broken by adversity. In Psalm 10:10, this state is shown through the oppression faced by the poor and needy, whose spirits are weighed down by those who seek to silence them.
When you feel overwhelmed, this word reminds you that such feelings are real and recognized in Scripture. It acknowledges the heavy burden of external forces trying to break your resolve. Yet, it also points to the need for divine support when your strength fails.
Even when spirits are low, God remains present and active. This understanding invites you to bring your heaviness to Him, trusting that He sees the pressure you face and offers a steady presence in the midst of it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he will be disheartened1×
- and/ disheartened of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/נִכְאָ֔ה1×
- וְ/נִכְאֵ֨ה1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 109:16
because he didn’t remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them.
This verse uses the related concept of being 'broken in heart' to describe the victim of persecution, illustrating the severe emotional and spiritual crushing that ka’ah represents.
-
Daniel 11:30
For ships of Kittim will come against him. Therefore he will be grieved, and will return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and will take action. He will even return, and have regard to those who forsake the holy covenant.
Here, a ruler is described as being 'grieved' or disheartened by external events, showing how ka’ah can result from facing powerful opposing forces that threaten one's faith.