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

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.

I. [כָּהָה] verb be or grow dim, faint (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כְּהָא; compare Arabic be , i.e. weak, cowardly) —

Qal Perfect3feminine singular כָּֽהֲתָה Deuteronomy 34:7; Imperfect יִכְהֶה Isaiah 42:4; 3feminine singular תִּכְהֶה Zechariah 11:17; וַתֵּ֫כַהּ Job 17:7; וַתִּכְהֶיןָ Genesis 27:1; Infinitive absolute כָּהֹה Zechariah 11:17; — grow dim, of eye Genesis 27:1 (J), Deuteronomy 34:7; Job 17:7; of violent putting out of eye Zechariah 11:17 (twice in verse); he shall not grow dim Isaiah 42:4, of servant of ׳י under figure of lamp or fire (see Kay Che De), or grow faint (compare Di).

Pi`el Perfect3feminine singular וְכִהֲתָה consecutive Ezekiel 21:12 (subject כָּלרֿוּחַ; "" וְנָמֵס כָּללֵֿב) grow faint (Pi`el intransitive, Ges^{§ 52} k, Kö^{i. 187}; but read perhaps כָּֽהֲתָה).

II. [כָּהָה] verb Pi`el rebuke (Syriac , Mandean כהא (Nö^{M. 72}) id.), only 1 Samuel 3:13 followed by בְּ, וְלֹא כִהָה בָּם.

כהן (√ of following; meaning dubious, see Dr^{2Samuel 8:18}; Arabic verb is divine, and (Qor 52:29) is a seer, the organ (mostly) of a jinn, rarely of a god: the and the כֹּהֵן 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 כהן acquired fuller sacrificial functions: see RS^{Enc. Brit. ed. 9, xix. 727}; We^{Skizzen iii. 130 ff.}, 167; Now^{Archaeology ii. 89 f.}; Phoenician כהן is priest, כהנת priestess).

Meaning and Semantic Range

The 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.

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 yiḵhehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts