English · KJV
H6968

קוֹמְמִיּוּת

qôwmᵉmîyûwth /ko-mem-ee-yooth'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom קוּם
Meaningelevation, i.e. (adverbially) erectly (figuratively)
KJV usageupright.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of qôwmᵉmîyûwth — 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 qôwmᵉmîyûwth, represented by H6968, signifies a state of being upright. Based on a root meaning "elevation," this term appears only 1 time in the Bible. Its singular use conveys a powerful figurative meaning of walking erectly, in a state of restored freedom and dignity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole instance of H6968 is found in Leviticus 26:13, where God recounts His deliverance of Israel. He states, "I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright." The word directly contrasts the posture of a free person with that of a bondman H5650 bent under a yoke H5923. It describes the physical and symbolic result of God's redemptive act.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its context illuminate the meaning of being upright:

  • H5923 ʻôl (yoke): This word for a yoke, used literally or figuratively, represents the burden of slavery and oppression. God's action of breaking the yoke is the prerequisite for Israel to walk upright Leviticus 26:13.
  • H7665 shâbar (to break): This primitive root, meaning to burst or crush, describes God's decisive action against Israel's bondage. By breaking the yoke, God removes the instrument of oppression Ezekiel 34:27.
  • H3212 yâlak (to walk): Meaning to walk or go, this verb is directly modified by H6968. God "made you go" upright, signifying a new manner of life and movement, a journey taken in freedom rather than servitude Leviticus 26:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6968 is concentrated in its single, powerful appearance:

  • Symbol of Redemption: To walk "upright" is the definitive sign of liberation from the bondage of Egypt H4714. It is a physical manifestation of God's covenant promise to bring His people out H3318 of servitude.
  • Restoration of Dignity: The imagery contrasts the bent-over posture of a slave under a yoke H5923 with the erect stance of a free person. This act of being made upright by the LORD H3068 symbolizes the restoration of honor and identity to a people who were once bondmen H5650.
  • A New Walk of Freedom: The phrase "made you go upright" Leviticus 26:13 points to a transformed way of life. The freedom granted by God enables a new "walk" H3212, no longer defined by oppression but by the liberty that comes from God's direct intervention.

Summary

In summary, while appearing only once, H6968 provides a profound illustration of divine redemption. It is not merely about posture but about a fundamental change in status. Through its use in Leviticus 26:13, qôwmᵉmîyûwth encapsulates the entire journey from the crushing weight of slavery in Egypt to the liberated, dignified walk of a people set free by 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 noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • קוֹמְמִיּוּת

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.

H5650 עֶבֶד from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. H5923 עֹל or עוֹל; from עָלַל; a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively; yoke. H7665 שָׁבַר a primitive root; to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to th H3212 יָלַךְ a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idio H4714 מִצְרַיִם dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. H3318 יָצָא a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct

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

1 verse, all in Leviticus — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.