English · KJV
H6949

קָהָה

qâhâh /kaw-haw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be dull
KJV usagebe set on edge, be blunt.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of qâhâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word qâhâh, represented by H6949, carries a primary meaning of to be dull; be set on edge, be blunt. It appears only 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used in two distinct ways: once to describe the literal dullness of a tool, and three times to describe the physical sensation of one's teeth being set on edge.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H6949 illustrates principles of both practical wisdom and theological accountability. In Ecclesiastes, it describes a literal state of dullness, where if an iron tool is blunt H6949, one must use more strength to accomplish a task Ecclesiastes 10:10. The other three occurrences are found in a proverb cited in Jeremiah and Ezekiel: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezekiel 18:2, Jeremiah 31:29). This proverb is then directly addressed and revised in Jeremiah to establish a new standard of personal responsibility Jeremiah 31:30.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H6949 is used:

  • H1270 barzel (iron): This word for iron is used to describe the tool that is blunt H6949 in Ecclesiastes 10:10. It refers to an iron implement or ax head.
  • H1155 bôçer (sour grape): Defined as an immature grape, this is the cause of the unpleasant sensation in the proverb. The eating of the sour grape leads to teeth being set on edge Jeremiah 31:29.
  • H8127 shên (tooth): This word for tooth is what is directly affected in the proverb, becoming set on edge H6949 as a result of the fathers' actions Ezekiel 18:2.
  • H7043 qâlal (whet): In Ecclesiastes 10:10, this word is used in contrast to being blunt. It means to whet or make sharp, highlighting the inefficiency of a tool that is not properly prepared.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H6949 is centered on the concepts of cause, effect, and accountability.

  • Practical Consequence: The use in Ecclesiastes 10:10 serves as a metaphor for wisdom. A blunt tool is ineffective and requires more raw strength H2428, illustrating that a lack of foresight and preparation leads to greater toil.
  • Generational Consequence: The proverb cited in Ezekiel 18:2 and Jeremiah 31:29 uses the visceral image of teeth being set on edge to describe a system where consequences are passed down through generations.
  • Individual Accountability: Jeremiah employs the same imagery to declare a shift in divine justice. The old proverb will be nullified, and instead, "every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge" Jeremiah 31:30, establishing a clear principle that individuals will die for their own iniquity.

Summary

In summary, qâhâh H6949 is a potent word that bridges a physical state with profound spiritual truths. Whether describing a literally blunt iron tool or the figurative discomfort of teeth set on edge, it consistently points to a direct relationship between an action and its consequence. Its use in scripture marks a pivotal transition from a perception of generational guilt to a foundational doctrine of personal accountability before God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • תִּקְהֶינָה
  • קֵהָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1270 בַּרְזֶל perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement; (ax) head, iron. H1155 בֹּסֶר from the same as בֶּסֶר; {an immature grape}; sour grape. H8127 שֵׁן from שָׁנַן; compare שֶׁנְהַבִּים; a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff; crag, [idiom] forefr H7043 קָלַל a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling H2428 חַיִל from חוּל; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength; able, a

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Jeremiah (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

1
Ecclesiastes
2
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.