כְּפִיר (ke.phir)
ke.phir
lion; Hakkephirim; villages
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun kephir refers to a young lion, capturing the image of a growing predator that is powerful but not yet fully mature. In the Hebrew Bible, this word appears twenty times, often highlighting raw strength or sudden danger. For instance, Psalm 17:12 compares enemies to a young lion tearing its prey, while Proverbs 30:30 describes the kephir as majestic and mighty among beasts.
Its meaning shifts significantly in Nehemiah 6:2, where "the villages" (kephirim) are mentioned. Here, the term likely functions as a place name or refers to settlements near Ono, showing how a common noun can evolve into a proper identifier for a location. This dual usage distinguishes it from words for fully grown lions, emphasizing youth and vigor rather than just size.
Translators typically render kephir as "young lion" to preserve this specific stage of life, avoiding the generic term that might imply an adult beast. The distinction matters because a young lion represents emerging threat or developing power, a nuance lost if translated simply as "lion." This precision helps readers grasp the intensity of the imagery used in wisdom literature and prophetic warnings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kephir describes a young lion, capturing a creature that is powerful and growing but not yet fully mature. This distinction matters because it highlights emerging strength rather than just adult size. In the Bible, this image often represents sudden danger or raw energy, as seen when Samson encounters one in Judges 14:5. It reminds us that God sees both the established power of adults and the developing force of youth.
Yet this word also points to God’s sovereign care over creation. Psalm 104:21 notes that young lions seek their food from God, showing that even fierce predators depend on Him. This truth offers comfort in our own lives. Whether you face a growing challenge or are navigating a season of development, you can trust that God sustains every stage of life.
Understanding this nuance helps us appreciate the precision of Scripture. It is not just about generic strength but about specific moments of growth and threat. This awareness invites us to look at our own circumstances with fresh eyes, recognizing how God interacts with us in our current season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- young lions4×
- like <the>/ young lion3×
- like <the>/ young lions2×
- a young lion2×
- the/ young lions1×
- like/ a young lion1×
- from/ young lions1×
- at <the>/ Kephirim1×
- and/ young lion1×
- and/ the/ young lion1×
- and/ like/ a young lion1×
- and/ like <the>/ young lion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּ֭/כְּפִיר2×
- כְּפִ֣יר2×
- מִ֝/כְּפִירִ֗ים1×
- כַּ/כְּפִרִ֣ים1×
- כַּ/כְּפִירִ֤ים1×
- כַּ/כְּפִ֖יר1×
- כִּ/כְפִ֥יר1×
- כְּפִירִ֣ים1×
- כְּפִירִ֔ים1×
- כְּפִ֤יר1×
- כְפִרִ֔ים1×
- כְפִירִ֣ים1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 14:5
Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and his mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah; and behold, a young lion roared at him.
This verse captures the suddenness of danger as a young lion roars unexpectedly to Samson.
-
Amos 3:4
Will a lion roar in the thicket, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing?
The prophet uses the young lion’s roar to illustrate that true prophecy always has a cause, just as a predator only hunts when prey is present.
-
Isaiah 11:6
The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them.
This verse places the young lion in the context of peace, showing how creation will be restored under God’s reign.