קָהָה (qa.hah)
qa.hah
be blunt
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qâhah describes a state of being blunt or dull. It appears in only three verses, primarily within Jeremiah and Ecclesiastes, where it captures the loss of sharpness or effectiveness. The Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon notes its use regarding teeth, indicating a physical weariness that renders them ineffective for their intended purpose.
In Ecclesiastes 10:10, the word takes on a practical metaphor. It describes an axe head that has become dull through use. The text suggests that sharpening such a tool requires effort and wisdom, contrasting with the futility of relying on force alone when the instrument itself is compromised.
The Piel stem reinforces this sense of becoming blunt, often applied to iron tools. This usage highlights a tangible reality in ancient life: without maintenance, even strong metal loses its edge. The word serves as a reminder that effectiveness depends not just on strength, but on the condition of the means used.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qâhah describes a state of being blunt or dull. It appears in only three verses, primarily within Jeremiah and Ecclesiastes, where it captures the loss of sharpness or effectiveness. The Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon notes its use regarding teeth, indicating a physical weariness that renders them ineffective for their intended purpose.
In Ecclesiastes 10:10, the word takes on a practical metaphor. It describes an axe head that has become dull through use. The text suggests that sharpening such a tool requires effort and wisdom, contrasting with the futility of relying on force alone when the instrument itself is compromised.
This usage highlights a tangible reality in ancient life: without maintenance, even strong metal loses its edge. The word serves as a reminder that effectiveness depends not just on strength, but on the condition of the means used.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they will be blunt2×
- it is blunt1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּקְהֶֽינָה\׃1×
- תִּקְהֶ֥ינָה1×
- קֵהָ֣ה1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
This verse uses qâhah to describe a dull axe head, illustrating that skill and maintenance are more effective than brute force.
-
Jeremiah 31:29
“In those days they will say no more, “‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
Here the word refers to teeth being set on edge by sour grapes, symbolizing the pain of consequences.
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Jeremiah 31:30
But everyone will die for his own iniquity. Every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.
This occurrence reinforces the metaphor of teeth being affected by sour grapes, emphasizing individual responsibility for one's actions.