Original Word: כָּפַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kaphaph
Pronunciation: kah-FAHF
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-faf')
Definition: To bend, bow down
Meaning: to curve

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "kaphaph," the concept of bowing or bending in submission can be related to Greek words such as "προσκυνέω" (proskuneo - Strong's G4352), which means to worship or bow down.

Usage: The Hebrew verb "kaphaph" primarily means to bend or bow down. It is often used in the context of physical posture, such as bowing one's head or body, and can also imply a figurative sense of submission or humility. The action of bending or bowing is frequently associated with worship, reverence, or the acknowledgment of authority.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, physical gestures such as bowing were significant expressions of respect, submission, and worship. Bowing was a common practice in the presence of a king or deity, symbolizing one's acknowledgment of the other's higher status or divine nature. The act of bowing down was not only a physical gesture but also a reflection of one's inner attitude of humility and reverence.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to bend, bend down, be bent or bowed
NASB Translation
bow (1), bowed down (3), bowing (1).

כָּפַף verb bend, bend down, be bent, bowed (Late Hebrew bend, overturn, Assyrian kapâpu, bend, bow, Dl^{HWB 347}; Arabic fell a seam, also turn back, avert, selvage, circuit, rim; Aramaic כְפַף bend, curve; Palmyrene כפתא niche, from כפף curve according to Vog^{No. 70, p. 50}); —

Qal Perfect נַפְשִׁי ׳כ Psalm 57:7 my soul is bowed down; Infinitive construct (transitive) לָכֹף כְּאַגְמֹן ראֹשׁוֺ Isaiah 58:5 to bend down, like a rush, his head. Passive participle (הַ)כְּפוּפִים those bowed down, in distress, humiliation, etc., Psalm 145:14; Psalm 146:8.

Niph`al Imperfect1singular מָרוֺם אִכַּף לֵאלֹהֵי Micah 6:6 with what shall I bow myself (in worship) toward the high God ?

bow down self

A primitive root; to curve -- bow down (self).

אִכַּ֖ף אכף הֲלָכֹ֨ף הַכְּפוּפִֽים׃ הכפופים׃ הלכף כְּפוּפִ֑ים כָּפַ֪ף כפופים כפף ’ik·kap̄ ’ikkap̄ hă·lā·ḵōp̄ hak·kə·p̄ū·p̄îm hakkefuFim hakkəp̄ūp̄îm halaChof hălāḵōp̄ ikKaf kā·p̄ap̄ kaFaf kāp̄ap̄ kə·p̄ū·p̄îm kefuFim kəp̄ūp̄îmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts