כֹּל (kol)
kol
all
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 40 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kol means "all" or "the whole." It functions as a substantive that encompasses entirety, whether referring to a single continuous entity or a collection of individuals. The sources indicate it can mean the totality of something, every member of a group, or even any and none in specific negative contexts.
Its usage is particularly prominent in the books of Daniel and Ezra, where it often appears in official decrees and historical narratives. For instance, in Daniel 2:38, God gives Nebuchadnezzar dominion over "all" humanity, using kol to emphasize the completeness of that authority. In Ezra 7:21-23, the king commands providing whatever is needed for the temple, illustrating how kol can denote an open-ended scope of provision.
Etymologically, the word is linked to the root kalal, meaning "to complete." This connection highlights its theological weight in Scripture: when used of God's actions or promises, it underscores their fullness and lack of deficiency. Translators typically render it simply as "all," but the Hebrew concept carries a sense of unified wholeness rather than just a sum of parts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kol reminds us that God’s reach is total. It does not just count items; it gathers them into a single, unified whole. When Scripture speaks of God’s provision or authority, it uses this term to show that nothing is left out. There is no gap in His care and no edge to His power.
For your daily life, this means you do not have to piece together faith from fragments. The same God who fills the whole earth also holds your specific moment. Whether you face a decree of fear or a call to obedience, you are included in the entirety of His plan. Nothing is too small for His attention.
This wholeness brings quiet confidence. You are not an afterthought in history. Your story is woven into the complete narrative of God’s purposes. Rest in the fact that He sees the full picture and holds it all together with perfect wisdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- all20×
- and/ all10×
- every4×
- any3×
- <obj.>/ all3×
- to/ any2×
- over/ all2×
- and/ any2×
- to/ all1×
- over/ all of/ them1×
- in/ all1×
- and/ over/ all1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כָּל\־15×
- כָל\־8×
- לְ/כָל\־4×
- וְ/כֹ֖ל4×
- וְ/כֹל֙3×
- וְ/כָל\־3×
- כָּֽל\־2×
- בְּ/כֹ֖ל2×
- לְ/כֹל֙1×
- לְ/כֹ֖ל1×
- כֹּ֣ל1×
- כֹּ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:44
“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left to another people; but it will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever.
This verse uses kol to show that God’s eternal kingdom will consume every earthly power, leaving only His unshakable rule.
-
Ezra 7:21
I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, it shall be done with all diligence,
Here the king commands that whatever Ezra requires be done with full diligence, showing kol as an open-ended scope of divine provision.
-
Daniel 2:38
Wherever the children of men dwell, he has given the animals of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand, and has made you rule over them all. You are the head of gold.
God gives Nebuchadnezzar dominion over all living creatures, using kol to emphasize the completeness of human authority under God.
-
Daniel 2:40
The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush.
The iron kingdom crushes all things, illustrating how kol can describe total subjugation and the lack of resistance against strong power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kol mean in the Old Testament?
How is kol different from other words for all?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (40 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 12 verses
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute,…
Ezra 5:7They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.
Ezra 6:11I have also made a decree that whoever alters this message, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be…
Ezra 6:12May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter…
Ezra 6:17They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a…
Ezra 7:13I make a decree that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my realm, who intend of…
Ezra 7:16and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon, with the free will offering of the…
Ezra 7:21I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the…
Ezra 7:23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should…
Ezra 7:24Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites,…
Ezra 7:25You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all…
Ezra 7:26Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence,…