Lexical Summary kaphaph: To bend, bow down Original Word: כָּפַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bow down self A primitive root; to curve -- bow down (self). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to bend, bend down, be bent or bowed NASB Translation bow (1), bowed down (3), bowing (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כָּפַף verb bend, bend down, be bent, bowed (Late Hebrew bend, overturn, Assyrian kapâpu, bend, bow, DlHWB 347; Arabic  fell a seam, also turn back, avert,  selvage,  circuit, rim; Aramaic כְפַף  bend, curve; Palmyrene כפתא niche, from כפף curve according to VogNo. 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 ? Topical Lexicon Topical Overview Strong’s Hebrew 3721 pictures the act of being pressed downward—whether by circumstance, by deliberate self–abasement, or by divine discipline—so that a subsequent lifting by the LORD may be displayed. Its rarity (five times) allows each context to speak with clarity about God’s attitude toward humiliation and exaltation. Occurrences and Literary Settings 1. Psalm 57:6 presents the psalmist’s inner anguish: “my soul is bowed down.” The verb underscores the king’s vulnerability even as he trusts God to turn the enemies’ snare upon themselves. Human Humiliation and Divine Exaltation The verb never stands alone. In the Psalms, the LORD intervenes; in the Prophets, He evaluates the genuineness of the bowing. The consistent biblical rhythm is humiliation followed by grace. James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6 echo the same principle in the New Testament, showing canonical unity. Covenantal Implications The covenant name “LORD” frames three of the five occurrences. Bowing results either from enemies (Psalm 57), personal frailty (Psalm 145; 146), or covenant violation (Isaiah 58; Micah 6). In every case the answer lies in covenant fidelity—God’s or the people’s. Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions Isaiah 58:5 anticipates a coming age when external fasting gives way to inward transformation (Isaiah 58:6-12). Micah 6:6 leads into the famous ethic of Micah 6:8, anchoring true worship in justice, mercy, and humble walking with God. Both texts point toward the Messianic kingdom where righteousness and compassion kiss. Practical Ministry Application • Pastoral care: those “bowed down” by depression, poverty, or persecution can be pointed to Psalm 145:14 as a direct promise of divine upholding. Christological Foreshadowing The ultimate lifting of the bowed head occurs in the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). The verb’s trajectory from descent to ascent prefigures the cross and resurrection, assuring believers that their own “bowing” is never the last word. Pastoral Reflections Believers need not fear seasons of being “bowed down.” In the economy of grace, such moments become the soil in which God’s upholding hand is most clearly seen. The fivefold witness of כָּפַף invites the church to embrace humility, reject empty ritual, and live in expectant hope of divine lifting. Forms and Transliterations 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 kəp̄ūp̄îmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 57:6 HEB: הֵכִ֣ינוּ לִפְעָמַי֮ כָּפַ֪ף נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י כָּר֣וּ NAS: My soul is bowed down; They dug KJV: my soul is bowed down: they have digged INT: have prepared my steps is bowed my soul dug Psalm 145:14 Psalm 146:8 Isaiah 58:5 Micah 6:6 5 Occurrences |
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