קוֹל (qol)
qol
voice; frivolity; voice: sound; voice: thunder; voice: message; voice: [sound of]
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 369 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qol primarily means "voice" or "sound," serving as the general word for any audible noise. It appears nearly four hundred times in the Old Testament, frequently describing the voice of God speaking to prophets, the roar of thunder, or the noise of musical instruments. In contexts like Isaiah and Jeremiah, it often carries the weight of a divine message or command, emphasizing that hearing is not just about sound but about receiving instruction.
While its core meaning is straightforward, qol has a specific, unusual usage in Jeremiah 3:9 where it translates to "frivolity" or "lightness." This rare sense likely derives from the idea of empty noise—speech without substance or weight. Most other occurrences remain concrete, referring to the physical sound of a shout, the blast of a trumpet, or the rumble of storm clouds, grounding abstract concepts in sensory experience.
Translators usually render qol as "voice" when it refers to a speaker, but switch to "sound" for natural phenomena. This distinction helps readers feel the immediacy of biblical scenes, whether it is the voice of John the Baptist calling out in the wilderness or the sound of many waters. The word consistently points to an audible event that demands attention, bridging the gap between human speech and divine revelation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qol reminds us that God is not silent. In Genesis 3:8, Adam and Eve hear Yahweh’s voice walking in the garden. This detail shows that even when we hide, God remains present and accessible. His voice is often described as a call to relationship rather than a command to fear.
While qol can mean thunder or noise, it most frequently points to a message worth hearing. When Scripture says God heard the voice of Hagar’s son, it affirms that He notices individual cries. This word bridges the gap between abstract theology and real life, showing that faith involves listening for guidance in daily moments.
We can trust that this same God speaks today. Whether through Scripture or the quiet promptings of conscience, His voice invites us into peace. You do not need to shout to be heard; He listens closely to those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 369 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] sound of62×
- to/ [the] voice of54×
- [the] voice of21×
- to/ voice/ my20×
- and/ [the] sound of20×
- a voice20×
- voice/ their16×
- voice/ his16×
- voice/ your14×
- with/ a voice13×
- voice/ my13×
- to/ voice/ his12×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ק֣וֹל38×
- בְּ/ק֣וֹל34×
- ק֥וֹל31×
- ק֤וֹל16×
- וְ/ק֣וֹל14×
- בְּ/ק֖וֹל13×
- ק֚וֹל9×
- ק֖וֹל9×
- לְ/ק֣וֹל9×
- בְּ/קוֹל֙9×
- קוֹלָ֖/ם6×
- קוֹל\־6×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:8
They heard Yahweh God’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden.
This verse establishes God’s voice as a personal presence that initiates relationship, even after human failure.
-
Genesis 21:17
God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
Here the word highlights God’s attentive care for an outcast, showing He hears cries from the margins of society.
-
Genesis 4:10
Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.
The voice of blood crying from the ground demonstrates that actions have audible moral consequences before God.
-
Exodus 3:18
They will listen to your voice. You shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’
This occurrence links the people’s willingness to listen with their freedom, framing obedience as a path to liberation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word qol mean?
How is qol different from other words for sound?
Where does qol appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (369 verses across 32 books)
Genesis 23 verses
They heard Yahweh God’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves…
Genesis 3:10The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
Genesis 3:17To Adam he said, “Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten from the tree, about which I commanded…
Genesis 4:10Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.
Genesis 4:23Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a…
Genesis 16:2Sarai said to Abram, “See now, Yahweh has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will…
Genesis 21:12God said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all…
Genesis 21:16She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of…
Genesis 21:17God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you,…
Genesis 22:18All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’”
Genesis 26:5because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Genesis 27:8Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you.
Genesis 27:13His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice, and go get them for me.”
Genesis 27:22Jacob went near to Isaac his father. He felt him, and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of…
Genesis 27:38Esau said to his father, “Do you have just one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up…
Genesis 27:43Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran.
Genesis 29:11Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
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 39:14she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought a Hebrew in to us to mock us. He…
Genesis 39:15When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
Genesis 39:18and as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
Genesis 45:2He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
Genesis 45:16The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his…