Qof (ק) – Old Testament Hebrew words that start with qof

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Hebrew Name:

קוֹף

English Name:

qof

Pronunciation:

kof

Letter:

ק

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

100

Pronunciation guide

Qof (or Koph) is articulated at the back of the throat, similar to the “k” sound but deeper, akin to the “q” in “quiet” but with a more pronounced guttural quality. It is a consonant that can carry a dot (dagesh). Unlike Bet, its sound does not change with this dagesh, but it indicates a harder pronunciation, with increased intensity or emphasis.

Numerical significance

Qof holds the value of 100 in Gematria (numbering system), which in Hebrew tradition could represent a fullness or completeness in quantity, like an entire lifetime in some ancient contexts. It’s a round number, often signifying a whole unit or fullness in the biblical sense, and can sometimes be associated with the fullness of age or experience.

Cultural and symbolic meaning

The letter Qof is believed to be derived from a pictograph of the back of a head or a needle’s eye, linking it to ideas of what follows or what is behind. It can symbolize a cycle or the horizon, where the sun sets to mark the end of a day. In ancient scribal practices, variations in the size or form of Qof could signify a need to pay attention to the end or completion of something.