כֵּן (ken)
ken
right; as; so
H:AdvQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 612 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Adv
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ken functions as both an adjective and an adverb, carrying meanings that range from moral integrity to logical consequence. As an adjective, it describes what is right, just, or true. This usage appears in contexts where honesty is paramount, such as when the text refers to "righteous men" or truthful statements. In these instances, the word points to a standard of correctness that aligns with divine order.
More frequently, ken serves as an adverb meaning "so," "thus," or "therefore." It acts as a bridge between cause and effect, signaling that what follows is the natural result of what preceded it. For example, in prophetic books like Jeremiah and Isaiah, it often introduces conclusions or judgments that flow logically from previous actions. This connective role helps readers track the narrative logic, showing how specific behaviors lead to specific outcomes.
A notable feature of ken is its use in fixed phrases like "ki al ken," which translates to "forasmuch as" or "because." This construction emphasizes the grounds for a statement, anchoring arguments in established facts. By weaving together ideas of truth and consequence, the word reinforces the biblical theme that reality operates according to consistent principles. Its prevalence in Genesis and the prophets highlights its importance in establishing both historical accuracy and theological reasoning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ken often appears as a quiet bridge between God’s command and the world’s response. In Genesis, it marks the moment when creation aligns with divine intent. When the text says “and it was so,” it confirms that God’s words are not empty sounds but effective power. This pattern offers comfort: what God speaks has weight and permanence. You can trust that His promises rest on a foundation of reliability.
Ken also connects actions to their natural outcomes. In narratives like Noah’s obedience or the naming of places, it shows how human choices fit into a larger story. It reminds us that life is not random but follows consistent principles established by God. This does not mean we control every outcome, but it assures us that our steps are seen and ordered within His wisdom.
When you encounter this word in Scripture, consider the harmony between heaven and earth. It invites you to rest in the certainty that God’s truth is steadfast. Whether in creation or covenant, ken points to a reality where integrity and consequence meet. This stability is a gift for your daily walk, grounding your faith in what has already been established.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 612 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- thus152×
- so145×
- -fore130×
- <to>/ therefore126×
- and/ thus23×
- right14×
- <thus>9×
- [is] thus6×
- [is] so6×
- and/ <to>/ therefore5×
- [are] honest5×
- and/ so3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כֵּ֥ן58×
- כֵּ֖ן46×
- כֵּ֣ן43×
- לָ/כֵ֗ן38×
- כֵּ֗ן29×
- כֵּן֙26×
- לָ/כֵ֞ן23×
- כֵּ֤ן20×
- כֵּ֛ן20×
- כֵ֔ן20×
- כֵ֖ן18×
- כֵּ֚ן14×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:7
God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.
This occurrence marks the immediate fulfillment of God’s creative command, establishing ken as a marker of divine efficacy.
-
Genesis 6:22
Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him.
Here it links Noah’s faithful obedience directly to the preservation of life, showing how human action aligns with divine instruction.
-
Genesis 11:9
Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.
It introduces the consequence of Babel, explaining how confusion arose as a direct result of human pride and linguistic division.
-
Genesis 20:6
God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.
This verse uses ken to explain God’s protective restraint on Abimelech, grounding the outcome in the king’s inner integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ken mean in the Bible?
How is ken different from other Hebrew words for 'so'?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Why is ken important for understanding biblical narratives?
Every Occurrence (612 verses across 33 books)
Genesis 54 verses
God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse;…
Genesis 1:9God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so.
Genesis 1:11God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their…
Genesis 1:15and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth;” and it was so.
Genesis 1:24God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the…
Genesis 1:30To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there…
Genesis 2:24Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
Genesis 4:15Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign…
Genesis 6:4The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had…
Genesis 6:22Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him.
Genesis 10:9He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh”.
Genesis 11:9Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh…
Genesis 15:14I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth;
Genesis 16:14Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
Genesis 18:5I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to…
Genesis 19:8See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to…
Genesis 19:22Hurry, escape there, for I can’t do anything until you get there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
Genesis 20:6God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld…
Genesis 21:31Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore an oath there.
Genesis 23:19After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the…
Genesis 25:22The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is like this, why do I live?” She went to inquire of…
Genesis 25:26After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old…
Genesis 25:30Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with some of that red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.
Genesis 26:33He called it “Shibah”. Therefore the name of the city is “Beersheba” to this day.
Genesis 29:26Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Genesis 29:28Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
Genesis 29:34She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him…
Genesis 29:35She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time I will praise Yahweh.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then…
Genesis 30:6Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name…
Genesis 30:15Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes,…
Genesis 31:48Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named Galeed
Genesis 33:10Jacob said, “Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have…
Genesis 33:17Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place…
Genesis 34:7The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he…
Genesis 38:26Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew…
Genesis 41:13As he interpreted to us, so it was. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”
Genesis 41:31and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous.
Genesis 42:11We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men. Your servants are not spies.”
Genesis 42:19If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison; but you go, carry grain for the famine of…
Genesis 42:20Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.
Genesis 42:21They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul,…
Genesis 42:25Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore each man’s money into his sack, and to give…
Genesis 42:31We said to him, ‘We are honest men. We are no spies.
Genesis 42:33The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers…
Genesis 42:34Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. So I will…
Genesis 43:11Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your…
Genesis 44:10He said, “Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom it is found will be my slave; and you will be…
Genesis 45:15He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.
Genesis 45:21The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision…
Genesis 47:22Only he didn’t buy the land of the priests, for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and ate their portion which…
Genesis 48:18Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”
Genesis 50:3Forty days were used for him, for that is how many days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for Israel for seventy…
Genesis 50:11When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous…
Genesis 50:12His sons did to him just as he commanded them,