Kaf (כ/ך) – Old Testament Hebrew words that start with kaf
Quick reference
- Hebrew Name:
- כַף / כַף סוֹפִית
- English Name:
- kaf / kaf sofit
- Pronunciation:
- kaf
- Letter:
- כ / ך
- Speech Sound:
- consonant
- Numerical Value:
- 20 / 500 °
° the second value is associated with the final form of the letter, which is when it is the last letter of the word
Pronunciation guide
Kaf is a Hebrew letter with two sounds. When it has a dot in the middle (dagesh), it’s pronounced like the “k” in “kite.” Without the dagesh, it softens to a “kh” sound, resembling the “ch” in the Scottish word “loch” or the German “Bach.” This sound can be challenging for some to make, since it’s not a sound commonly used in English.
Numerical significance
Kaf represents the number 20 in Gematria (Hebrew numbering system). Twenty is considered significant because it is twice ten, and ten carries the weight of completeness in Jewish tradition, as seen in the Ten Commandments. Therefore, twenty can be seen as a symbol of reinforced or double completeness, sometimes related to waiting periods or stages of life in Jewish culture.
Cultural and symbolic meaning
The original form of Kaf is thought to resemble the palm of an open hand, indicating giving, receiving, or covering. This open hand can signify God’s provision as well as human action. An interesting cultural practice is the use of a larger Kaf in some Torah scrolls, for example in the Shema prayer, emphasizing the importance of the action to “write them on the doorposts of your house” (Deuteronomy 6:9), where the “them” refers to the words of the prayer. This larger Kaf can be seen as a symbolic reminder of the role actions play in faith.