Lexical Summary
keheh: Dim, faint, dull
Original Word:כֵּהֶה
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:keheh
Pronunciation:keh-heh
Phonetic Spelling:(kay-heh')
KJV: somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking
NASB:dim, faded, dimly, faint, fainting
Word Origin:[fromH3543 (כָּהָה - To grow dim)]
1. feeble, obscure
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking
Fromkahah; feeble, obscure -- somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking.
see HEBREWkahah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
kahahDefinitiondim, dull, faint
NASB Translationdim (3), dimly (1), faded (3), faint (1), fainting (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] ; only feminine
Leviticus 13:6 6t.; plural
Leviticus 13:39;
1 Samuel 3:2; —
dim, of eyes
1 Samuel 3:2; of burning wick ()
Isaiah 42:3;
dull (in colour, of plague-spots)
Leviticus 13:6,21,26,39,56; figurative =
faintIsaiah 61:3 (opposed to ).
Topical Lexicon
Root IdeaThe adjective conveys dullness, faintness, dimness, or weakness, whether of color, light, eyesight, or spirit. Scripture uses this nuance to contrast what is fading with what is vivid, what is fragile with what endures.
Levitical Diagnosis of Skin Disease
Six of the nine occurrences appear inLeviticus 13 (verses 6, 21, 26, 28, 39, 56). Here the priest must decide between contagious tsaraath and harmless discoloration. A “dull” (כֵּהֶה) spot, mark, or hair signals that the affliction is subsiding or is non-infectious, and the person may be declared clean. This meticulous discernment guarded Israel’s worship and social health, illustrating that holiness involves careful attention even to seemingly minor details (compareNumbers 5:2-3).
Historical and Theological Significance
1. Public health: Long before germ theory, the Law provided a practical quarantine system balanced by mercy; kêhéh identified conditions that did not require isolation.
2. Spiritual analogy: As slight discolorations needed examination, so hidden sins require honest self-scrutiny (Psalm 139:23–24). What looks minor may still need priestly—now Christly—oversight.
Narrative Illustration: Eli’s Failing Vision
1 Samuel 3:2 describes aged Eli whose “eyesight had grown dim”. Physical dimness mirrors the spiritual dullness of a priesthood tolerating corruption (1 Samuel 2:12–17, 22–25). The word subtly prepares readers for the fresh prophetic light dawning through Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1, 21).
Prophetic Imagery
Isaiah employs kêhéh with rich pastoral overtones.
•Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish.” The “smoldering” wick pictures a lamp barely alight. Messiah nurtures faint faith until it flames, embodying divine gentleness later echoed inMatthew 12:20.
•Isaiah 61:3: The Servant comes “to console those who mourn in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” The “spirit of despair” (kêhéh) is a soul sagging under grief. The Gospel replaces dull heaviness with exuberant worship, anticipating Pentecost’s outpouring of joy (Acts 2:4, 46–47).
Ministry Applications
• Discernment: Pastors must notice early signs of spiritual dullness in themselves and others (Hebrews 5:14), restoring gently before the condition deepens (Galatians 6:1).
• Compassion: Christ’s refusal to snuff out the smoldering wick guides counseling—nurture faint hope rather than condemn it.
• Renewal: Believers weighed down by a “spirit of despair” may claim the exchange ofIsaiah 61:3, praying for the Spirit’s oil and lifting the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15).
Christological Fulfillment
Jesus unites the priestly and prophetic dimensions of kêhéh. As Priest He examines our blemishes yet pronounces clean all who trust Him (Mark 1:40–42). As Light of the World (John 8:12) He dispels dimness. As the Servant He lovingly fans weak faith into robust flame (2 Timothy 1:6). Thus the term ultimately points to redemption that transforms what is dull, faint, and failing into purity, brightness, and praise.
Forms and Transliterations
כֵּה֣וֹת כֵּהָ֑ה כֵּהָ֣ה כֵה֔וֹת כֵהָ֑ה כֵהָ֔ה כֵהָ֖ה כהה כהות cheHah cheHot kê·hāh ḵê·hāh kê·hō·wṯ ḵê·hō·wṯ keHah kêhāh ḵêhāh keHot kêhōwṯ ḵêhōwṯ
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