Lexical Summary
kahah: To grow dim, to faint, to be weak
Original Word:כָּהָה
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:kahah
Pronunciation:kah-HAH
Phonetic Spelling:(kaw-haw')
KJV: darken, be dim, fail, faint, restrain, X utterly
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to be weak, i.e. (figuratively) to despond (causatively, rebuke), or (of light, the eye) to grow dull
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
darken, be dim, fail, faint, restrain, utterly
A primitive root; to be weak, i.e. (figuratively) to despond (causatively, rebuke), or (of light, the eye) to grow dull -- darken, be dim, fail, faint, restrain, X utterly.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [] (Late Hebrew
id.; Aramaic ; compare Arabic
be
, i.e.
weak, cowardly) —
Perfect3feminine singularDeuteronomy 34:7;ImperfectIsaiah 42:4; 3feminine singularZechariah 11:17;Job 17:7;Genesis 27:1;Infinitive absoluteZechariah 11:17; —grow dim, of eyeGenesis 27:1 (J),Deuteronomy 34:7;Job 17:7; of violent putting out of eyeZechariah 11:17 (twice in verse);he shall not grow dimIsaiah 42:4, of servant of under figure of lamp or fire (see Kay Che De), orgrow faint (compare Di).
Perfect3feminine singular consecutiveEzekiel 21:12 (subject ; "" )grow faint (Pi`el intransitive, Ges§ 52k, Köi. 187; but read perhaps ).
II. [] (Syriac
, Mandean (NöM. 72)id.), only1 Samuel 3:13 followed by , .
(√ of following; meaning dubious, see Dr2Samuel 8:18; Arabic verb
isdivine, and
(Qor 52:29) isa seer, the organ (mostly) of a jinn, rarely of a god: the
and the must have been originally identical (both alike being guardians of an oracle, at a sanctuary); but their functions diverged: the
gradually lost his connection with the sanctuary, and sank to be a mere diviner; the acquired fuller sacrificial functions: see RSEnc. Brit. ed. 9, xix. 727; WeSkizzen iii. 130 ff., 167; NowArchaeology ii. 89 f.; Phoenician ispriest,priestess).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Semantic RangeThe verb kāhāh delineates a movement from vigor to decline—eyesight that grows dim, strength that ebbs, authority that wanes, or fires that lose their flame. Whether applied to physical senses, moral fiber, or national power, the term consistently signals attenuation rather than sudden extinction. It is not the finality of death but the measurable drift toward it.
Occurrences in the Old Testament
1.Genesis 27:1 records Isaac’s eyes that “had grown so dim” he could not see. The word underscores gradual loss, setting the scene for Jacob’s deceit and highlighting how physical decline can expose spiritual vulnerability.
2.Deuteronomy 34:7 states, “Although Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died, his eyes were not dim,” emphasizing the exception; God preserved Moses’ faculties, underscoring divine enablement even in old age.
3.1 Samuel 3:13 foretells that Eli’s “eyes had grown dim,” paralleling his compromised spiritual oversight. Physical dimness mirrors the dimming of discernment in his household.
4.Job 17:7 captures Job’s anguish: “My eyes have grown dim with grief,” linking inner turmoil with outward impairment.
5.Isaiah 42:4 promises the Servant of the LORD who “will not grow weak or discouraged,” using kāhāh to deny any fading in the Servant’s mission—a striking contrast to frail human leaders.
6.Ezekiel 21:7 depicts hearts melting and “every spirit will grow faint,” presenting national terror as a collective dimming of resolve ahead of judgment.
7–8.Zechariah 11:17 twice condemns a negligent shepherd: “May the arm of that worthless shepherd be crippled and his right eye completely blinded!” Kāhāh here signals permanent disabling, symbolizing the demise of corrupt leadership.
Thematic Connections
Physicality and Spiritual Condition
The word frequently links bodily decline with spiritual or moral malaise (Isaac, Eli, Job, apostate leaders). Scripture teaches that while aging and sorrow affect the body, disregard for God accelerates a deeper blindness.
Exemplary Preservation
Moses stands as a foil; covenant faithfulness leads to remarkable preservation even when chronological age suggests decline. The text testifies that God is able to sustain His servants beyond natural limits.
Messianic Contrast
Isaiah’s Servant neither “grows weak” nor “loses heart,” pointing to Jesus Christ, whose zeal never faltered (cf.John 4:34). The term thus underlines His sinless perseverance amidst adversity.
Judgment on Shepherds
Zechariah’s oracles apply kāhāh to worthless shepherds, forecasting loss of eyesight and power. The passage anticipates both Israel’s failed leaders and any pastor who feeds himself rather than the flock (John 10:12–13).
Historical and Cultural Background
In the Ancient Near East, clear eyesight signified vitality and competency—qualities prized in patriarchs, priests, and prophets. Dim eyes implied waning effectiveness. Likewise, strong arms and bright eyes represented royal and military force. Prophets used the imagery to articulate covenant blessings and curses in tangible terms understood by agrarian societies.
Prophetic and Messianic Dimensions
Isaiah 42:4’s negation of kāhāh issues a messianic promise: the Servant’s mission will not fade.Matthew 12:18–21 applies this text to Christ’s earthly ministry, assuring that no opposition could diminish His purpose. The same hope extends eschatologically;Revelation 5 presents the Lamb whose eyes “are like blazing fire,” never dimmed, securing eternal redemption.
Practical Ministry Applications
Pastoral Vigilance
Eli’s dim vision warns every shepherd to guard against tolerance of sin within the home or congregation. Physical decline need not equate to spiritual dullness; diligent prayer and accountability preserve clarity.
Perseverance in Suffering
Job reminds believers that emotional anguish may cloud perception, yet faith looks beyond present dimness to future vindication (Job 19:25–27).
Honoring the Aged
Genesis and Deuteronomy encourage respecting elders even when faculties wane, recognizing their covenant legacy and God’s ability to sustain them.
Hope in Christ’s Unfading Strength
As believers confront personal limitation, they rest in the Servant who never dims. The indwelling Spirit empowers ministry “with all His energy, which so powerfully works” within (Colossians 1:29), countering every tendency toward discouragement.
Summary
Kāhāh weaves through Scripture as a subtle yet potent reminder of humanity’s fragility against the backdrop of divine steadfastness. From dim eyes to faint hearts, the word depicts decline that only God can prevent or reverse. In Jesus Christ the promised Servant, Scripture presents the unwavering antidote to every form of fading, assuring the Church of unending light and strength for faithful service.
Forms and Transliterations
וְכִהֲתָ֣ה וַתִּכְהֶ֥יןָ וַתֵּ֣כַהּ וכהתה ותכה ותכהין יִכְהֶה֙ יכהה כִהָ֖ה כָּהֹ֥ה כָהֲתָ֥ה כהה כהתה תִכְהֶֽה׃ תכהה׃ chahaTah chiHah ḵā·hă·ṯāh kā·hōh ḵāhăṯāh kaHoh kāhōh ḵi·hāh ḵihāh tichHeh ṯiḵ·heh ṯiḵheh vatTechah vattichHeina vechihaTah wat·tê·ḵah wat·tiḵ·he·nā wattêḵah wattiḵhenā wə·ḵi·hă·ṯāh wəḵihăṯāh yichHeh yiḵ·heh yiḵheh
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