Lexical Summary
koach: Strength, power, might, ability, force
Original Word:כֹּחַ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:koach
Pronunciation:koh-akh
Phonetic Spelling:(ko'-akh)
KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth
Word Origin:[from an unused root meaning to be firm]
1. vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
2. (from its hardiness) a large lizard
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, powerful, strength,
Or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard -- ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. , probably a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things
Leviticus 11:30; AV
chameleon; on various opinions see Di.
II. see below .
II. and (Daniel 11:6)Deuteronomy 4:37 (Late Hebrewid.); — absoluteDeuteronomy 8:18 +; constructNumbers 14:17 +; suffixGenesis 31:6 +;Judges 16:6 +,Proverbs 5:10,Proverbs 24:10, etc.; always singular; —
human strength:
Judges 16:5,6,9,15,17,19,30; strength in toilIsaiah 44:12 (),Isaiah 44:12;Leviticus 26:20;Nehemiah 4:4; of manly vigour (in procreation)Genesis 49:3 (poem in J; said to Reuben); vigour in GeneralJoshua 14:11 (twice in verse) (JE),Judges 6:14;1 Samuel 28:22;Job 6:11,12;Psalm 31:11;Psalm 38:11;Psalm 71:9;Psalm 102:24;Proverbs 20:29; as sustained by food1 Kings 19:8; lack of such vigour isJob 26:2, compareJeremiah 48:45without strength;Lamentations 1:6;Job 3:17;1 Samuel 28:20, compareDaniel 10:8,17; inPsalm 22:16 read , so Ew Ol Che and others; specifically ofpower of voiceIsaiah 40:9.
,ability, efficiency: followed by infinitive,ability to weep1 Samuel 30:4; to get wealthDeuteronomy 8:18; to bring forth (a child; in figure)2 Kings 19:3 =Isaiah 37:3; followed byDaniel 1:4;Ezra 10:13, compareDaniel 11:15; without infinitive1 Chronicles 29:2;Ezra 2:69; ofefficiency in battle 2 Chron 14:10; 2 Chronicles 20:12; 26:13; for porter's service in temple1 Chronicles 26:8;ability orefficiency in GeneralGenesis 31:6;Proverbs 24:5,10;Ecclesiastes 4:1;Ecclesiastes 9:10, so probablyJob 30:2; (late, compare )retain ability orstrength, followed by infinitive;1 Chronicles 29:14 thatwe should retain (have)ability to make freewill-oferings; to build 2 Chron 2:5; with negative, without infinitive,Daniel 10:8,16 (compareDaniel 11:6, ).
power of a people, or king,Joshua 17:17;Nahum 2:2;Habakkuk 1:11;Isaiah 49:4 (of servant of ),Lamentations 1:14;Daniel 8:22,24 a, alsoDaniel 8:24 b (si vera lectio, see Bev),Daniel 11:25 ("" ); with 2Chronicles 13:20; 22:9;Daniel 11:6 ( , compare ); inHosea 7:9 figurative of body seems combined with that of land yielding produce (see below)
power opposed to that of GodAmos 2:14;Isaiah 10:13 ( ),Deuteronomy 8:17;1 Samuel 2:9;Zechariah 4:6;Job 36:19;Psalm 33:16.
power conferred by GodIsaiah 40:29, compareIsaiah 40:31;Isaiah 41:1; of prophetic powerMicah 3:8.
strength of angelsPsalm 103:20.
power of God: in creationJeremiah 10:12;Jeremiah 51:15 (see alsoJeremiah 32:17 below),Psalm 65:7; in governing the world1 Chronicles 29:12; 2Chronicles 20:6;Psalm 29:4; in acts of deliverance and judgmentExodus 9:16;Exodus 15:6;Exodus 32:11;Numbers 14:13,17 (JE),Isaiah 50:2; 2Chronicles 25:8;Job 9:19;Job 24:22;Job 26:12;Job 30:18;Job 36:22; in combinationDeuteronomy 4:37; ""Exodus 32:11(JE),Nehemiah 1:10; ""Deuteronomy 9:29;2 Kings 17:36;Jeremiah 27:5;Jeremiah 32:17; he isPsalm 147:5; compareIsaiah 63:1;Job 23:6; alsoNahum 1:3;Isaiah 40:26;Job 9:4,Job 37:23;Psalm 111:6the power of his works;Psalm 29:4 (of thunder); specifically of his wisdom (rather peculiarly, Elihu)Job 36:5mighty in strength of mind.
: wild oxJob 39:11, horseJob 39:21, hippopotamusJob 40:16, bullockProverbs 14:4; he-goatDaniel 8:6 ramDaniel 8:7.
strength, of soil i.e.produce,Genesis 4:12 (J),Job 31:30; (Hosea 7:9 see
above); =wealth (compare )Proverbs 5:10;Job 6:22.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeכֹּחַ (koach) denotes strength in every sphere of life—physical vigor, mental resolve, spiritual capacity, military force, economic wealth, and productive yield. Scripture assigns the term both to God, as the inexhaustible source of power, and to humanity, as a finite endowment that is always derivative and accountable.
Divine Power as the Primary Referent
1. Creation: “By His Spirit the heavens were garnished; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint a whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?” (Job 26:13-14).
2. Providence: “He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29).
3. Redemption: “Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power; Your right hand shatters the enemy” (Exodus 15:6).
4. Sustenance: “The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
Human Strength: Gift and Limitation
Koach is bestowed, never self-generated.Deuteronomy 8:17-18 warns the covenant people against crediting prosperity to their own might: “You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have gained this wealth for me.’ But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth.” Human strength is therefore a stewardship to be exercised in reverent dependence (Psalm 62:11).
Moral and Spiritual Capacity
The word often points to inner fortitude.Psalm 31:24 calls believers, “Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.” Job, stripped of physical vitality, still acknowledges that true strength lies not in sinew but in unwavering faith (Job 6:11-12).Isaiah 30:15 locates salvation “in quietness and trust,” not in the horse and chariot.
Military Might and Political Authority
Koach is commonly used of armies and kings. Pharaoh boasts of his strength (Exodus 14:27), Nebuchadnezzar of “the might of my power” (Daniel 4:30), yet both are humbled to display the supremacy of Yahweh. Conversely, Israel is repeatedly warned that victory depends on the LORD’s power, not numerical superiority (Judges 7:2;1 Samuel 17:45).
Economic Resource and Productive Capacity
The term embraces agricultural yield: “The land yields its strength” (Genesis 4:12), and natural resources: “Behold, I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you” (Exodus 31:6). Wealth is viewed as concentrated strength that must be dedicated to covenant purposes (Deuteronomy 8:18;Proverbs 10:15).
Theology of Dependence and Praise
Psalms repeatedly combine koach with doxology. “The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14). Praise directs strength back to its source, transforming human vitality into worship (Psalm 59:17).
Prophetic Affirmations and Eschatological Hope
Isaiah predicts a day when “nation will not take up sword against nation,” signaling that human militaristic strength will be eclipsed by divine peace (Isaiah 2:4). Joel promises, “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong,’” as an eschatological reversal in which God empowers the powerless (Joel 3:10).
Wisdom Literature and the Enigma of Human Frailty
Ecclesiastes observes that “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong” (Ecclesiastes 9:11), underscoring the unpredictability of life and the necessity of fearing God (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Proverbs balances diligence with humility: “A wise man is full of strength” (Proverbs 24:5), yet even wisdom is a divine gift (Proverbs 2:6).
Liturgical Usage and Worship Practices
Levitical psalms use koach to call the congregation to laud God’s might (Psalm 68:34-35). Temple musicians proclaim His strength morning and evening (1 Chronicles 23:30). The Sabbath, by banning ordinary labor, weekly testifies that human productivity depends on divine power (Exodus 20:8-11).
Messianic Foreshadowing and Christological Fulfillment
Isaiah 11:2 foretells a Messiah upon whom rests “the Spirit of counsel and strength.” Jesus fulfills this as “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). His resurrection demonstrates surpassing strength (Ephesians 1:19-20), and believers now “struggle with all His energy, which so powerfully works” in them (Colossians 1:29).
Practical Ministry Implications
1. Pastoral Care: Encourage the weary that God “knows our frame” (Psalm 103:14) and supplies fresh strength (Isaiah 40:31).
2. Stewardship: Teach that every skill, asset, and opportunity is entrusted power to be employed for kingdom service (1 Peter 4:10-11).
3. Spiritual Warfare: Equip saints to rely on “the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10), not on personality or programs.
4. Mission: Affirm that gospel advance rests on divine potency, ensuring bold yet humble evangelism (Acts 4:33).
Key Occurrences (representative)
Genesis 31:6;Exodus 9:16;Deuteronomy 8:17-18;Judges 16:5;1 Samuel 2:9;2 Kings 17:36;2 Chronicles 26:16;Job 12:13;Psalm 18:1;Psalm 22:19;Psalm 68:35;Psalm 118:14;Proverbs 10:29;Isaiah 40:29-31;Jeremiah 10:6;Ezekiel 34:16;Daniel 2:37;Joel 3:16;Nahum 1:3;Habakkuk 3:19;Zechariah 4:6.
Summary
Koach weaves through Scripture as a unifying thread affirming God as the ultimate power, exposing human insufficiency, and inviting trust in the Lord who graciously imparts strength for service, holiness, and hope.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּ֭כֹחוֹ בְּכֹ֑חַ בְּכֹ֔חַ בְּכֹ֣חַ בְּכֹ֣חַ ׀ בְּכֹ֤חַ בְּכֹ֥חַ בְּכֹ֧חַ בְּכֹֽחֲךָ֙ בְּכֹח֑וֹ בְּכֹח֔וֹ בְּכֹח֥וֹ בְּכֹחֲךָ֖ בְּכֹחֲךָ֣ בְּכֹחִי֙ בְכֹ֔חַ בְכֹ֖חַ בְכֹח֔וֹ בְכֹחֲךָ֛ בְכֹחֽוֹ׃ בַּכֹּ֑חַ בַּכֹּ֖חַ בַכֹּ֙חַ֙ בכח בכחו בכחו׃ בכחי בכחך וְהַכֹּ֖חַ וְכֹ֤חַ וְכֹ֥חַ וּ֝מִכֹּחֲכֶ֗ם וּכְכֹ֣חִי והכח וכח וככחי ומכחכם כְּכֹ֥חִי כְּכֹחָ֗ם כֹ֑חַ כֹ֔חַ כֹ֖חַ כֹ֙חַ֙ כֹ֛חַ כֹ֭חַ כֹּ֑ח כֹּ֑חַ כֹּ֔חַ כֹּ֖חַ כֹּ֙חַ֙ כֹּ֛חַ כֹּ֝חִ֗י כֹּ֣חַ כֹּ֣חַֽ כֹּ֭חַ כֹּ֭חָהּ כֹּֽחַ־ כֹּֽחַ׃ כֹּח֑וֹ כֹּח֔וֹ כֹּח֖וֹ כֹּח֣וֹ כֹּח֨וֹ כֹּחֲךָ֣ כֹּחֲךָ֥ כֹּחֲכֶ֑ם כֹּחִ֑י כֹּחִ֔י כֹּחִ֖י כֹּחִ֗י כֹּחִ֞י כֹּחִ֣י כֹּחִ֥י כֹּחִי֙ כֹּחֶ֑ךָ כֹּחֶֽכָה׃ כֹּחָ֑ם כֹּחָ֖הּ כֹּחֽוֹ׃ כֹּחוֹ֙ כֹֽחַ׃ כֹח֖וֹ כֹח֣וֹ כֹחִ֑י כֹחִ֔י כּ֣וֹחַ כֹּחִ֗י כוח כח כח־ כח׃ כחה כחו כחו׃ כחי כחך כחכה׃ כחכם כחם ככחי ככחם לְכֹ֣חַ לכח מִכֹּ֣חַ מכח bak·kō·aḥ ḇak·kō·aḥ bakKoach bakkōaḥ ḇakkōaḥ bə·ḵō·aḥ ḇə·ḵō·aḥ bə·ḵō·ḥă·ḵā ḇə·ḵō·ḥă·ḵā bə·ḵō·ḥî bə·ḵō·ḥōw ḇə·ḵō·ḥōw beChoach bechochaCha bechoChi bechoCho bəḵōaḥ ḇəḵōaḥ bəḵōḥăḵā ḇəḵōḥăḵā bəḵōḥî bəḵōḥōw ḇəḵōḥōw Choach choChi choCho kə·ḵō·ḥām kə·ḵō·ḥî kechoCham keChochi kəḵōḥām kəḵōḥî kō·aḥ ḵō·aḥ kō·aḥ- kō·ḥă·ḵā kō·ḥă·ḵem kō·ḥāh kō·ḥām kō·ḥe·ḵā kō·ḥe·ḵāh kō·ḥî ḵō·ḥî kō·ḥōw ḵō·ḥōw kō·w·aḥ Koach kōaḥ ḵōaḥ kōaḥ- Koch kochaCha kochaChem koChah koCham koChecha koChechah koChi koCho kōḥ kōḥāh kōḥăḵā kōḥăḵem kōḥām kōḥeḵā kōḥeḵāh kōḥî ḵōḥî kōḥōw ḵōḥōw kōwaḥ lə·ḵō·aḥ leChoach ləḵōaḥ mik·kō·aḥ mikKoach mikkōaḥ ū·ḵə·ḵō·ḥî ū·mik·kō·ḥă·ḵem ucheChochi ūḵəḵōḥî umikkochaChem ūmikkōḥăḵem vakKoach veChoach vechochaCha vechoCho vehakKoach wə·hak·kō·aḥ wə·ḵō·aḥ wəhakkōaḥ wəḵōaḥ
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