3715. kephir

Lexicon

kephir: Young lion

Original Word: כְּפִיר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kphiyr
Pronunciation: kuh-FEER
Phonetic Spelling: (kef-eer')
Definition: Young lion
Meaning: a village, a young lion

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

young lion, village

From kaphar; a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) -- (young) lion, village. Compare kaphar.

see HEBREW kaphar

see HEBREW kaphar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
young lion
NASB Translation
lion (5), lions (1), young (1), young lion (10), young lion's (1), young lions (11), young lions' (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

כְּפִיר noun masculine young lion; — ׳כ Judges 14:5 16t.; plural כְּפִרִים Jeremiah 2:15 3t.; כְּפִירִים Zechariah 11:3 7t.; suffix כְּפִירַיִךְ Nahum 2:14; כְּפִירֶיהָ Ezekiel 38:13 (Co reads כנעניה); — literal אֲרָיוֺת ׳כ Judges 14:5 young lion of lions; Amos 3:4; Psalm 17:12. It differs from whelp גּוּר Ezekiel 19:2,3as old enough to hunt its prey, Jeremiah 25:38; Isaiah 11:6; Zechariah 11:3; Psalm 104:21; in simile of roar of hostile army Isaiah 5:29 ׅ "" (לָבִיא compare Jeremiah 51:38 ׅ "" (גּוֺרֵי אריות; sim of ׳יs invincible might Isaiah 31:4 ׅ "" (אַרְיֵה; of Israel among the nations, Micah 5:7; of Assyr. princes Nahum 2:12; of prince of Israel Ezekiel 19:5,6; other cases are: "" לָבִיא Job 38:39; "" שַׁחַל Hosea 5:14; Psalm 91:13; Job 4:10; of bloodthirsty enemies Psalm 34:11; Psalm 35:17; Psalm 58:7; Jeremiah 2:15; גוים ׳כ Ezekiel 32:2, of young warriors Nahum 2:14; Ezekiel 38:13 (?; see Co above); righteous compared with, Proverbs 28:1; king's wrath like roaring of, Proverbs 19:12; Proverbs 20:2; of one of faces of cherubim Ezekiel 41:19.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root כָּפַר (kaphar), which can mean to cover or to atone, though the connection to the meaning of "young lion" is more likely metaphorical, indicating strength or fierceness.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G1404 (δράκων • drakōn): While not a direct equivalent, this term refers to a dragon or serpent, often used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe a powerful and fearsome creature.
• G3023 (λέων • leōn): This is the Greek term for "lion," used in the New Testament to convey similar themes of strength and ferocity, as seen in 1 Peter 5:8, where the devil is described as a roaring lion.
• G4145 (πλούσιος • plousios): Although primarily meaning "rich" or "wealthy," this term can metaphorically relate to abundance and power, akin to the strength symbolized by a young lion.

In summary, כְּפִיר (kephir) is a multifaceted term in the Hebrew Bible, rich with literal and metaphorical significance, symbolizing strength, potential, and authority.

Usage: The word כְּפִיר appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, often symbolizing power and ferocity. It is used to describe young lions in their natural habitat, as well as metaphorically to depict strong and aggressive individuals or nations.

Context: • Biblical Context: The term כְּפִיר is frequently used in poetic and prophetic literature within the Hebrew Bible. It appears in passages that describe the natural world, emphasizing the majesty and strength of young lions. For example, in Job 4:10, the roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion are mentioned, highlighting the power and authority associated with these creatures.
• Metaphorical Usage: Beyond its literal meaning, כְּפִיר is often employed metaphorically to describe individuals or groups that exhibit lion-like qualities. In Ezekiel 19:2, the princes of Israel are compared to young lions, illustrating their potential for leadership and dominance.
• Symbolism: The young lion symbolizes not only physical strength but also the potential for growth and development. This symbolism is evident in the way the term is used to describe emerging leaders or nations poised for greatness.
• Cultural Significance: In the ancient Near Eastern context, lions were revered for their strength and majesty. The use of כְּפִיר in the Hebrew Bible reflects this cultural appreciation and serves to convey messages of power and authority.

Forms and Transliterations

בַּכְּפִירִ֖ים בכפירים הַ֭כְּפִירִים הכפירים וְ֝כִכְפִ֗יר וְהַכְּפִ֜יר וְכַכְּפִ֖יר וּכְפִ֤יר וּכְפִירַ֖יִךְ והכפיר וככפיר וכפיר וכפיריך כְּ֝פִירִ֗ים כְּ֭פִירִים כְּפִ֣יר כְּפִ֤יר כְּפִ֥יר כְּפִירִ֔ים כְּפִירִ֣ים כְּפִרִ֖ים כְּפִרֶ֙יהָ֙ כְפִ֥יר כְפִירִ֣ים כְפִרִ֔ים כִּכְפִ֖יר כִּכְפִ֥יר כַּ֭כְּפִיר כַּכְּפִ֖יר כַּכְּפִירִ֤ים כַּכְּפִרִ֣ים ככפיר ככפירים ככפרים כפיר כפירים כפריה כפרים לַכְּפִרִ֑ים לכפרים מִ֝כְּפִירִ֗ים מכפירים bak·kə·p̄î·rîm bakkefiRim bakkəp̄îrîm cheFir chefiRim hak·kə·p̄î·rîm Hakkefirim hakkəp̄îrîm kak·kə·p̄i·rîm kak·kə·p̄î·rîm kak·kə·p̄îr Kakkefir kakkefiRim kakkəp̄îr kakkəp̄irîm kakkəp̄îrîm kə·p̄i·re·hā kə·p̄i·rîm kə·p̄î·rîm ḵə·p̄i·rîm ḵə·p̄î·rîm kə·p̄îr ḵə·p̄îr keFir kefiReiha kefiRim kəp̄îr ḵəp̄îr kəp̄irehā kəp̄irîm kəp̄îrîm ḵəp̄irîm ḵəp̄îrîm kichFir kiḵ·p̄îr kiḵp̄îr lak·kə·p̄i·rîm lakkefiRim lakkəp̄irîm mik·kə·p̄î·rîm mikkefiRim mikkəp̄îrîm ū·ḵə·p̄î·ra·yiḵ ū·ḵə·p̄îr ucheFir uchefiRayich ūḵəp̄îr ūḵəp̄îrayiḵ vechakkeFir vechichFir vehakkeFir wə·hak·kə·p̄îr wə·ḵak·kə·p̄îr wə·ḵiḵ·p̄îr wəhakkəp̄îr wəḵakkəp̄îr wəḵiḵp̄îr

Englishman's Concordance

Judges 14:5
HEB: תִמְנָ֔תָה וְהִנֵּה֙ כְּפִ֣יר אֲרָי֔וֹת שֹׁאֵ֖ג
NAS: and behold, a young lion
KJV: of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion
INT: of Timnah and behold A young lion roaring

Nehemiah 6:2
HEB: וְנִֽוָּעֲדָ֥ה יַחְדָּ֛ו בַּכְּפִירִ֖ים בְּבִקְעַ֣ת אוֹנ֑וֹ
KJV: together in [some one of] the villages in the plain
INT: meet together the villages the plain of Ono

Job 4:10
HEB: שָׁ֑חַל וְשִׁנֵּ֖י כְפִירִ֣ים נִתָּֽעוּ׃
NAS: And the teeth of the young lions are broken.
KJV: and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
INT: of the lion and the teeth of the young are broken

Job 38:39
HEB: טָ֑רֶף וְחַיַּ֖ת כְּפִירִ֣ים תְּמַלֵּֽא׃
NAS: the appetite of the young lions,
KJV: the appetite of the young lions,
INT: the prey the appetite of the young satisfy

Psalm 17:12
HEB: יִכְס֣וֹף לִטְר֑וֹף וְ֝כִכְפִ֗יר יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים׃
NAS: to tear, And as a young lion lurking
KJV: of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking
INT: is eager to tear A young lurking hiding

Psalm 34:10
HEB: כְּ֭פִירִים רָשׁ֣וּ וְרָעֵ֑בוּ
NAS: The young lions do lack
KJV: The young lions do lack,
INT: the young lack and suffer

Psalm 35:17
HEB: נַ֭פְשִׁי מִשֹּׁאֵיהֶ֑ם מִ֝כְּפִירִ֗ים יְחִידָתִֽי׃
NAS: My only [life] from the lions.
KJV: my darling from the lions.
INT: my soul their ravages the lions my only

Psalm 58:6
HEB: בְּפִ֑ימוֹ מַלְתְּע֥וֹת כְּ֝פִירִ֗ים נְתֹ֣ץ ׀ יְהוָֽה׃
NAS: out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.
KJV: the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
INT: their mouth teeth of the young Break LORD

Psalm 91:13
HEB: תִּדְרֹ֑ךְ תִּרְמֹ֖ס כְּפִ֣יר וְתַנִּֽין׃
NAS: and cobra, The young lion and the serpent
KJV: and adder: the young lion and the dragon
INT: will tread will trample the young and the serpent

Psalm 104:21
HEB: הַ֭כְּפִירִים שֹׁאֲגִ֣ים לַטָּ֑רֶף
NAS: The young lions roar after their prey
KJV: The young lions roar after their prey,
INT: the young roar their prey

Proverbs 19:12
HEB: נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר זַ֣עַף מֶ֑לֶךְ
NAS: is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor
KJV: [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour
INT: the roaring of a lion wrath the king's

Proverbs 20:2
HEB: נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ
NAS: is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger
KJV: [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger
INT: the growling of a lion the terror of a king

Proverbs 28:1
HEB: רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים כִּכְפִ֥יר יִבְטָֽח׃
NAS: But the righteous are bold as a lion.
KJV: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
INT: the wicked the righteous A lion are bold

Isaiah 5:29
HEB: (יִשְׁאַ֨ג ק) כַּכְּפִירִ֤ים וְיִנְהֹם֙ וְיֹאחֵ֣ז
NAS: and it roars like young lions; It growls
KJV: they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar,
INT: A lioness mightily young growls seizes

Isaiah 11:6
HEB: יִרְבָּ֑ץ וְעֵ֨גֶל וּכְפִ֤יר וּמְרִיא֙ יַחְדָּ֔ו
NAS: And the calf and the young lion and the fatling
KJV: and the calf and the young lion and the fatling
INT: will lie and the calf and the young and the fatling together

Isaiah 31:4
HEB: יֶהְגֶּה֩ הָאַרְיֵ֨ה וְהַכְּפִ֜יר עַל־ טַרְפּ֗וֹ
NAS: to me, As the lion or the young lion growls
KJV: unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring
INT: growls as the lion the young over his prey

Jeremiah 2:15
HEB: עָלָיו֙ יִשְׁאֲג֣וּ כְפִרִ֔ים נָתְנ֖וּ קוֹלָ֑ם
NAS: The young lions have roared
KJV: The young lions roared
INT: and have roared the young add aloud

Jeremiah 25:38
HEB: עָזַ֥ב כַּכְּפִ֖יר סֻכּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־
NAS: His hiding place like the lion; For their land
KJV: his covert, as the lion: for their land
INT: has left the lion his hiding for

Jeremiah 51:38
HEB: יַחְדָּ֖ו כַּכְּפִרִ֣ים יִשְׁאָ֑גוּ נָעֲר֖וּ
NAS: together like young lions, They will growl
KJV: together like lions: they shall yell
INT: together young will roar will growl

Ezekiel 19:2
HEB: רָבָ֑צָה בְּת֥וֹךְ כְּפִרִ֖ים רִבְּתָ֥ה גוּרֶֽיהָ׃
NAS: among young lions, She reared
KJV: her whelps among young lions.
INT: lay among young reared her cubs

Ezekiel 19:3
HEB: אֶחָ֥ד מִגֻּרֶ֖יהָ כְּפִ֣יר הָיָ֑ה וַיִּלְמַ֥ד
NAS: He became a lion, And he learned
KJV: of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned
INT: one of her cubs A lion became learned

Ezekiel 19:5
HEB: אֶחָ֥ד מִגֻּרֶ֖יהָ כְּפִ֥יר שָׂמָֽתְהוּ׃
NAS: of her cubs And made him a young lion.
KJV: [and] made him a young lion.
INT: another of her cubs A young and made

Ezekiel 19:6
HEB: בְּתוֹךְ־ אֲרָי֖וֹת כְּפִ֣יר הָיָ֑ה וַיִּלְמַ֥ד
NAS: He became a young lion, He learned
KJV: the lions, he became a young lion, and learned
INT: among the lions A young became learned

Ezekiel 32:2
HEB: וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֵלָ֔יו כְּפִ֥יר גּוֹיִ֖ם נִדְמֵ֑יתָ
NAS: to him, 'You compared yourself to a young lion of the nations,
KJV: unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations,
INT: and say to A young of the nations compared

Ezekiel 38:13
HEB: תַרְשִׁ֤ישׁ וְכָל־ כְּפִרֶ֙יהָ֙ יֹאמְר֣וּ לְךָ֔
KJV: of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say
INT: of Tarshish all lions will say to capture

32 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3715
32 Occurrences

bak·kə·p̄î·rîm — 1 Occ.
ḵə·p̄îr — 1 Occ.
ḵə·p̄î·rîm — 2 Occ.
hak·kə·p̄î·rîm — 1 Occ.
kak·kə·p̄îr — 3 Occ.
kak·kə·p̄î·rîm — 2 Occ.
kə·p̄îr — 7 Occ.
kə·p̄i·re·hā — 1 Occ.
kə·p̄î·rîm — 5 Occ.
kiḵ·p̄îr — 2 Occ.
lak·kə·p̄i·rîm — 1 Occ.
mik·kə·p̄î·rîm — 1 Occ.
ū·ḵə·p̄îr — 1 Occ.
ū·ḵə·p̄î·ra·yiḵ — 1 Occ.
wə·ḵak·kə·p̄îr — 1 Occ.
wə·ḵiḵ·p̄îr — 1 Occ.
wə·hak·kə·p̄îr — 1 Occ.