Lexical Summary
koh: thus, so, here, in this manner
Original Word:כֹּה
Part of Speech:demonstrative adverb; adverb
Transliteration:koh
Pronunciation:koh
Phonetic Spelling:(ko)
KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder
NASB:thus, so, also, here, this, this is what, this way
Word Origin:[from the prefix k andH193 (אוּל - Mighty)1]
1. (properly) like this
2. (by implication, of manner) thus (or so)
3. (also, of place) here (or hither)
4. (of time) now
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
also, here, hitherto, like, on the other side, so and much, such, on that manner
From the prefix k andhuw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now -- also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder.
see HEBREWhuw'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. adverb
Definitionthus, here
NASB Translationalso (9), even (1), follows (1), here (4), little while* (1), now (1), other side (1), over there (1), over there* (1), same (1), so (17), such (1), this (2), this is what (2), this side (1), this way (2), thus (518), worse* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Biblical Aramaic ; , :Jerusalem, Mandean
here: in Syriac with prefixes
hither,
(:Jerusalem
)
hence,
where? compare , p. 32, and Kö
ii. 1, 252) —
,thus (so most frequently, and usually pointing to what is to follow, while points commonly to what has preceded),Genesis 15:5thus shall thy seed be,Numbers 6:23;1 Kings 2:30 ,1 Kings 5:25;Isaiah 24:13 (answered by , asJeremiah 23:29); with a substantiveIsaiah 20:6 ,Jeremiah 9:21 (si vera lectio),Jeremiah 23:29;1 Samuel 27:11. Mostly confined to particular phrases: thus
,thus shalt thou sayExodus 3:14,15;Exodus 19:3;Exodus 20:22 etc.; especially thus saith (or said)Exodus 4:22;Exodus 5:1;Exodus 7:17;Exodus 7:26;Exodus 8:16 etc.; and continually in the prophets, asIsaiah 7:7;Isaiah 8:11;Isaiah 18:4 etc.;Jeremiah 2:2,5;Jeremiah 4:27;Jeremiah 6:16 etc.; also in the idiomatic formulaif he say (orused to say) (the words spoken following)Genesis 31:8;1 Samuel 14:9,10;1 Samuel 20:7;2 Samuel 15:26.
with to dothus,Exodus 5:15;Deuteronomy 7:5; pointing back,Numbers 22:30;Joshua 6:14;1 Samuel 27:11 and elsewhere; especially in the phrase (with variations),1 Samuel 3:17 + (see ), in which points to an imprecation understood but not expressed. With prefixed1 Kings 22:20 and one spakein this wise, and another spakein that wise ("" 2 Chronicles 18:19 ; probably rightly).
of place,here (rare, chiefly in E),Genesis 31:37 place ithere before my brethren,Numbers 23:15 (twice in verse);2 Samuel 18:30;Ruth 2:8. Repeated,Exodus 2:12 and he turnedthis way andthat way;on this side . . . on that sideNumbers 11:31. WithGenesis 22:5 and we will goas far as here () i.e.yonder.
of time,hitherto,Exodus 7:16 (compare ),Joshua 17:14; tillnow and tillthen, i.e. meanwhile,1 Kings 18:45.
(Biblical Hebrew ; Mandean ; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic
; Syriac with prefixes, as
hither,
where?); —Daniel 7:28hitherto (compareJeremiah 48:47;Jeremiah 51:64) is the end of the matter.
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Range of Usageכֹּה functions as a demonstrative adverb meaning “thus,” “so,” or “here.” Because it can point either to manner (“so it shall be”) or to the content of speech (“thus says”), it becomes one of the most far-reaching connectors in the Old Testament, occurring in narratives, laws, songs, prophecies, wisdom, and prayers.
Formulaic Introduction to Divine Speech
The most recognizable employment is the prophetic formula כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה, “Thus says the Lord.” From Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1) to Malachi’s closing appeals (Malachi 1:4), the phrase announces that what follows carries divine, not merely human, authority.
Examples:
•Exodus 4:22 “Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the Lord says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son.’”
•Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your benefit…’”
•Jeremiah 29:10 “This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are complete for Babylon, I will attend to you…’”
•Ezekiel 37:5 “This is what the Lord God says to these bones: ‘I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.’”
Roughly two-thirds of all occurrences lie in prophetic books, underscoring the word’s role as the canonical marker of revelation.
Covenantal and Prophetic Authority
From Genesis onward, כֹּה frames key covenant statements. To Abram the Lord promises, “So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). The same adverb introduces covenantal cursing and blessing (Deuteronomy 28:37,Zechariah 8:23). Because the word signals exactness, it binds speaker and hearer to the precise obligations of covenant, whether in promise of mercy or threat of judgment (Amos 1:3–2:16).
Priestly and Liturgical Applications
In priestly materials כֹּה prescribes worship:
•Numbers 6:23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites…’”
•Leviticus 16:34 “This is to be a permanent statute for you: to make atonement…once a year.”
By prefacing ritual detail with “thus,” Scripture conveys that acceptable worship is revealed, not invented.
Judicial and Oath Formulas
Kings, soldiers, and commoners employ כֹּה in solemn oaths, often in the imprecatory expression, “May God do so to me, and more also” (Ruth 1:17;1 Samuel 3:17;2 Samuel 19:13;1 Kings 2:23). The word anchors the gravity of self-malediction and reminds readers that justice ultimately rests with God.
Demonstrative and Narrative Usage
Narrators use כֹּה to connect action to prior instruction, highlighting precise obedience:
•Exodus 25–40 repeatedly pairs “Thus you shall make it” with “Moses did all” (compareExodus 39:1 with 40:16).
It may also locate the speaker (“Stand here,”1 Samuel 12:7) or compare states (“So it was,”2 Chronicles 18:11).
Distribution in Canonical Corpora
Approximate occurrences:
• Torah ≈180
• Historical Books ≈120
• Wisdom and Psalms ≈15
• Major Prophets ≈160
• Minor Prophets ≈100
The density in prophetic literature highlights the continuity of a single divine voice across centuries.
Intertextual and Theological Insights
1. Prophetic Continuity: Every major prophet, from Isaiah to Malachi, shares the same introductory particle, emphasizing a unified prophetic tradition.
2. Typological Bridge: The Septuagint often renders כֹּה with οὕτως, the same adverb that introduces pivotal New Testament statements (“For God so loved the world,”John 3:16), linking the testaments in manner and message.
3. Eschatological Certainty: Because “thus” fixes what God is about to do, it underlines His immutable counsel (Isaiah 14:24).
Ministry Implications for Today
• Preaching: The preacher echoes the prophets when he expounds, “Thus says the Lord,” grounding sermons in inspired text rather than human speculation.
• Pastoral Counsel: In counseling, believers may appeal to the “so” of God’s promises, confident that what He has spoken He will perform (Joshua 21:45).
• Worship Planning: Liturgical leaders model priestly precision when ordering services “according to the pattern” revealed in Scripture.
• Ethical Resolve: The oath formulas remind modern disciples that speech before God is weighty; integrity requires that our “Yes be Yes” (seeMatthew 5:37).
כֹּה, though a brief word, functions as a hinge on which the authority, clarity, and sufficiency of divine revelation turns. Wherever it appears, readers are summoned to listen, believe, and obey exactly “thus.”
Forms and Transliterations
בְּכֹ֔ה בְּכֹֽה׃ בכה בכה׃ וְכֹ֖ה וְכֹ֣ה וְכֹ֣ה ׀ וְכֹ֥ה וְכֹֽה־ וָכֹ֔ה וכה וכה־ כֹ֖ה כֹ֛ה כֹ֣ה כֹ֣ה ׀ כֹ֤ה כֹ֥ה כֹ֧ה כֹ֨ה כֹּ֑ה כֹּ֔ה כֹּ֖ה כֹּ֗ה כֹּ֚ה כֹּ֣ה כֹּ֣ה ׀ כֹּ֤ה כֹּ֥ה כֹּ֨ה כֹּֽה־ כֹּֽה׃ כֹּה֙ כֹּה֩ כֹּה֮ כֹּה־ כֹֽה־ כֹה֙ כֹה֩ כה כה־ כה׃ bə·ḵōh beChoh bəḵōh choh koh kōh ḵōh kōh- ḵōh- vaChoh vechoh wā·ḵōh wāḵōh wə·ḵōh wə·ḵōh- wəḵōh wəḵōh-
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