Lexical Summary
kol: All, every, whole, entire
Original Word:כֹּל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:kol
Pronunciation:kohl
Phonetic Spelling:(kole)
NASB:all, any, whole, all things, entire, every, whatever
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) corresponding toH3605 (כּוֹל כּוֹל - all)]
1. all, any, + (forasmuch) as, + be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there (where)-fore, + though, what (where, who)-soever, (the) whole
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
all, any, forasmuch as, for this cause, every, though, where,
(Aramaic) corresponding tokol -- all, any, + (forasmuch) as, + be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there (where)-fore, + though, what (where, who)-soever, (the) whole.
see HEBREWkol
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to
kolDefinitionthe whole, all
NASB Translationall (46), all things (1), any (13), because* (4), entire (1), every (1), forasmuch* (1), inasmuch* (9), no* (6), none* (1), reason* (2), therefore* (4), whatever (1), whatever* (2), wherever* (1), whole (7).
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Scope and UsageThe Hebrew term כֹּל (kol) expresses comprehensiveness—“all, every, the whole.” Appearing about 103 times, it spans narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom literature. Whether modifying a singular noun (“all the earth”) or standing alone (“all”), it consistently stresses totality. Scripture employs kol to highlight the breadth of God’s works, the inclusiveness of His covenant expectations, and the universal reach of His redemptive purpose.
God’s Creative and Sustaining Sovereignty
•Genesis 1–2 opens with kol saturating the creation account: “God saw all that He had made” (Genesis 1:31). From the outset, kol proclaims that nothing lies outside the Creator’s ownership.
• This theme continues: “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and all who dwell in it” (Psalm 24:1). The psalmist links universal possession to universal accountability.
•Isaiah 40:26 underscores that the totality of the stars is under precise divine governance; not one is overlooked. Kol thus upholds the doctrine of providence, reassuring believers of God’s meticulous care over every element of existence.
Comprehensive Covenant Obligations
• Kol intensifies the call to wholehearted devotion: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The Shema tolerates no divided allegiance.
•Deuteronomy 30:2, 6;Joshua 22:5;1 Kings 8:23 repeat the pattern. The law was never about selective obedience; kol presses Israel toward unreserved surrender.
• Prophets apply the same force: “Return to Me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). Repentance, like obedience, must be complete.
Total Blessing and Total Judgment
• Blessing:Malachi 3:10 promises an uncontainable outpouring—“blessing without measure”—for those who bring in “the full tithe,” a vivid kol-blessing.
• Judgment:Genesis 6:13 announces the flood against “all flesh.”Isaiah 13:5 depicts the LORD mustering “all His troops” for decisive judgment. Kol eliminates any illusion of partiality in divine retribution or reward.
Holistic Worship and Praise
• By calling for “all that is within me” to bless the LORD (Psalm 103:1) and for “everything that has breath” to praise Him (Psalm 150:6), kol widens worship’s participants and deepens its intensity.
• David’s liturgical phrase “with my whole heart” (Psalm 138:1) models integrity in corporate and personal worship, challenging modern believers to resist compartmentalized spirituality.
Inclusive Mission and Salvation
• Prophets employ kol to emphasize global evangelistic hope: “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22).
• Zechariah anticipates the day when “the LORD will become King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9), reinforcing the Great Commission’s Old Testament roots.
•Jonah 4:11 reveals God’s concern for “more than one hundred twenty thousand people”—highlighting His compassion for every soul.
Wisdom’s Assessment of Human Experience
• Ecclesiastes repeatedly uses kol to survey life’s totality: “All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The preacher’s exhaustive perspective prepares readers for the climactic duty statement: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
• Proverbs urges holistic vigilance: “Guard your heart with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23), recognizing the heart as the wellspring of every life-stream.
Eschatological Vision of Universal Restoration
• The prophetic chorus of kol crescendos in promises of worldwide peace (Isaiah 2:2–4;Micah 4:1–4) and cosmic worship (Haggai 2:7;Zechariah 14:9). The Old Testament expectation that every knee will bow grounds New Testament declarations such asPhilippians 2:10.
Ministry Implications
1. Discipleship: Kol cuts against selective obedience; churches must teach believers to submit every sphere—thought life, finances, relationships—to Christ.
2. Stewardship: Since “the earth is the LORD’s,” environmental care, social justice, and resource use become acts of worship.
3. Missions: God’s saving intent embraces “all nations” (Psalm 67:2). A kol mindset fuels global evangelism, resisting parochialism.
4. Pastoral Care: Assuring believers that God knows “all their ways” (Psalm 139:3) fosters trust in suffering.
5. Corporate Worship: Liturgy should invite the whole congregation and the whole person—mind, emotions, will—to participate.
Conclusion
Kol threads throughout the Old Testament like a golden cord, proclaiming the totality of God’s rule, the comprehensiveness of His demands, and the inclusiveness of His mercy. Embracing its message leads the church to undivided devotion, worldwide mission, and confident hope in the coming kingdom where the LORD will be “all in all.”
Forms and Transliterations
בְּכָלְּה֑וֹן בְּכָל־ בְּכֹ֖ל בכל בכל־ בכלהון וְכָל־ וְכֹ֖ל וְכֹ֣ל וְכֹ֣ל ׀ וְכֹל֙ וּבְכָל־ ובכל־ וכל וכל־ כָּֽל־ כָּל־ כָל־ כֹּ֔לָּא כֹּ֖ל כֹּ֣ל כֹּ֣לָּא כֹּ֣ל ׀ כֹֽלָּא׃ כל כל־ כלא כלא׃ לְֽכָל־ לְכָל־ לְכֹ֖ל לְכֹ֖לָּא־ לְכֹל֙ לכל לכל־ לכלא־ bə·ḵāl bə·ḵāl·lə·hō·wn bə·ḵōl bechalleHon beChol bəḵāl bəḵālləhōwn bəḵōl chol Cholla kal ḵāl kāl- kol kōl kōl·lā ḵōl·lā Kolla kōllā ḵōllā lə·ḵāl lə·ḵōl lə·ḵōl·lā- leChol leCholla ləḵāl ləḵōl ləḵōllā- ū·ḇə·ḵāl ūḇəḵāl uveChol veChol wə·ḵāl wə·ḵōl wəḵāl wəḵōl
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