What does כּוּל (kûl) mean in the Bible?
Containing and sustaining describe holding what a vessel or place can accommodate, or maintaining someone through needed provision. The stated object makes the difference clear.
Hebrew · H3557
כּוּל
Containing and sustaining describe holding what a vessel or place can accommodate, or maintaining someone through needed provision. The stated object makes the difference clear.
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
כּוּלH3557
Pronunciationkûl
What does כּוּל (kûl) mean in the Bible?
Reader summary
Full entry for כּוּל (H3557) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H3557?
The BSB source-word alignment has 38 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include can endure (2), contain You (2), hold (2), It could hold (2), and I provided them (1).
Where does כּוּל (kûl) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 45:11. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Kings (12), 2 Chronicles (4), Jeremiah (4), 2 Samuel (3).
What This Word Actually Means
Containing and sustaining describe holding what a vessel or place can accommodate, or maintaining someone through needed provision. The stated object makes the difference clear. In First Kings 8:27 Solomon confesses that even the highest heavens cannot contain God, much less the temple he has built. Psalm 55:22 tells a distressed worshiper to cast a burden on the Lord, who will sustain them amid betrayal.
Genesis 50:21 records Joseph's assurance that he will provide for his brothers and their children. The verb does not identify those actions as one physical process. It allows context to speak of capacity, support or continued supply. Readers should notice who provides, what is held or supported and what limit is being acknowledged. God's greatness, dependence in trouble and material responsibility toward a household each require their own explanation.
Passage contextPastoral application
How the Bible Uses It
A temple cannot contain God, a distressed worshiper receives assurance of divine sustaining and Joseph undertakes household provision. These witnesses distinguish capacity from support while making limits and responsibility visible.
- 1Kgs.8.27
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.
Solomon contrasts God's greatness with the capacity of heaven and temple while continuing to ask that God hear prayer directed toward the place of His name.
- Ps.55.22
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
The call to cast a burden on the Lord follows distress over a treacherous companion; sustaining is promised without pretending betrayal is harmless.
- Gen.50.21
Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.
Joseph assures his fearful brothers of provision for them and their children after distinguishing their harmful intent from God's preserving purpose.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itcan endure2×Proverbs 18:14, Malachi 3:2
contain You2×1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chronicles 6:18
hold2×2 Chronicles 7:7, Jeremiah 2:13
It could hold2×1 Kings 7:26, 2 Chronicles 4:5
and I provided them1×1 Kings 18:13
and I will provide1×2 Samuel 19:33
and sustain you1×Ruth 4:15
are guided1×Psalms 112:5
bear1×Amos 7:10
can endure it1×Joel 2:11
contain Him1×2 Chronicles 2:6
endure1×Jeremiah 10:10
for it holds1×Ezekiel 23:32
gathered supplies1×1 Kings 20:27
had provided1×2 Samuel 19:32
He provided for them1×2 Samuel 20:3
holding1×1 Kings 7:38
I will provide1×Genesis 45:11
in turn provided food1×1 Kings 4:27
of holding it back1×Jeremiah 6:11
of holding it in1×Jeremiah 20:9
provided1×Genesis 47:12
providing them1×1 Kings 18:4
sustain1×Zechariah 11:16
to consume1×Ezekiel 21:28
to contain1×1 Kings 8:64
to feed you1×1 Kings 17:4
to provide food1×1 Kings 4:7
to provide for you1×1 Kings 17:9
Who has held1×Isaiah 40:12
will provide for1×Genesis 50:21
will sustain you1×Psalms 55:22
would arrange provisions1×1 Kings 4:7
You sustained them1×Nehemiah 9:21
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 45:11וְכִלְכַּלְתִּ֤יtoI will provideConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singularGenesis 47:12וַיְכַלְכֵּ֤לtoprovidedConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 50:21אֲכַלְכֵּ֥לtowill provide forVerb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singularRuth 4:15וּלְכַלְכֵּ֖לtoand sustain youConjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct2 Samuel 19:32כִלְכַּ֤לtohad providedVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular2 Samuel 19:33וְכִלְכַּלְתִּ֥יtoand I will provideConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular2 Samuel 20:3וַֽיְכַלְכְּלֵ֔םtoHe provided for themConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural1 Kings 4:7וְכִלְכְּל֥וּtoto provide foodConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural1 Kings 4:7לְכַלְכֵּֽל׃סtowould arrange provisionsPreposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct1 Kings 4:27וְכִלְכְּלוּ֩toin turn provided foodConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 45:11
Aligned rows38
Books represented15
Genesis3Ruth12 Samuel31 Kings122 Chronicles4Nehemiah1Psalms2Proverbs1Isaiah1Jeremiah4Ezekiel2Joel1Amos1Zechariah1Malachi1
Source forms
יְכַלְכְּל֔וּךָ2xyə·ḵal·kə·lū·ḵā1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chronicles 6:18
לְהָכִ֖יל2xlə·hā·ḵîlEzekiel 21:28, Amos 7:10
אֲכַלְכֵּ֥ל1x’ă·ḵal·kêlGenesis 50:21
הָכִ֔יל1xhā·ḵîlJeremiah 6:11
וָאֲכַלְכְּלֵ֖ם1xwā·’ă·ḵal·kə·lêm1 Kings 18:13
וַיְכַלְכֵּ֤ל1xway·ḵal·kêlGenesis 47:12
וַֽיְכַלְכְּלֵ֔ם1xway·ḵal·kə·lêm2 Samuel 20:3
וְכָ֥ל1xwə·ḵālIsaiah 40:12
Parsing patterns
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct4x2 Chronicles 7:7, Ezekiel 21:28, Ezekiel 23:32, Amos 7:10
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular3x1 Kings 7:26, 1 Kings 7:38, 2 Chronicles 4:5
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular3xPsalms 112:5, Proverbs 18:14, Zechariah 11:16
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular2xGenesis 45:11, 2 Samuel 19:33
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural2x1 Kings 4:7, 1 Kings 4:27
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular2x1 Kings 17:4, 1 Kings 17:9
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural2xJeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 10:10
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine singular2x1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chronicles 6:18
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Encourage trust in God alongside practical support and truthful attention to the circumstances producing distress.
- Respect protective boundaries while considering responsible provision, without making another person's decisions imitate Joseph's exact situation.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim God cannot hear because no temple contains Him; Solomon immediately asks for His attentive hearing.
- Do not claim sustaining means betrayal no longer matters; Psalm 55 names treacherous conduct before directing the burden to the Lord.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Encompasses physical containment and sustenance, extending to God's capacity to uphold creation and covenant people.
Strong'sH3557
Lexical occurrences37 versesWord forms2 forms13 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkGenesis 47:1-12Source Gloss
properly, to keep in ; hence, to measure ; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Encompasses physical containment and sustenance, extending to God's capacity to uphold creation and covenant people.
properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) BDB: comprehend Usage: (be able to, can) abide, bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing, guide, hold(-ing in), nourish(-er), be present, make provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms13
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action6×
Imperfect1Kgs 7:26 · 1Kgs 7:38 · 2Chr 4:5 · Jer 2:13 · Jer 10:105×
Infinitive constructJer 6:111×
Pilpel7×
ImperfectProv 18:14 · Ps 112:5 · Zech 11:16 · Gen 50:214×
Perfect2Sam 19:331×
Infinitive constructJer 20:91×
Participle activeMal 3:21×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
to provide food and nourishment for a family or household
to endure or sustain emotional burden, spirit maintaining strength
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 37 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
כּוּל is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Solomon's confession that heaven cannot contain God is made in prayer, not as an argument that God is absent or unreachable. He asks that God hear while acknowledging that the temple cannot enclose the One addressed. Psalm 55 turns attention to another kind of limit: a worshiper carrying the distress of betrayal is called to entrust that burden to the Lord. Genesis 50 then makes sustaining visible as Joseph's concrete assurance of food and care for a family.
These passages encourage humble dependence and responsible provision without collapsing them into a single image. A teacher should not promise that prayer eliminates every burden, or use Joseph's particular decision to compel unsafe reconciliation. Received comfort can become care for others, while God's greatness remains greater than any building or supply a person can offer.
Anchor passage
Ps.55.22
Doctrinal connections
- First Kings 8:27-29 confesses God's greatness beyond temple capacity while asking Him to hear prayer.
- Second Chronicles 6:18-20 repeats the contrast between uncontainable God and the place where His name is honored.
- Psalm 55:20-22 places the burden entrusted to the Lord amid the harm of a companion's broken covenant.
- Genesis 50:19-21 distinguishes the brothers' harmful intent from God's preserving purpose and Joseph's promised provision.
- Nehemiah 9:19-21 remembers God's sustained wilderness provision as an expression of compassion toward Israel.
- Second Corinthians 1:3-6 connects received divine comfort with comforting others in trouble, a thematic parallel rather than a shared lexical identity.
The verb's range includes capacity and maintaining or providing for another. An object such as heaven, a household or a distressed person selects the contextual explanation; physical containment does not exhaust every occurrence.
From Old to New Testament
Solomon acknowledges that God exceeds the temple while asking Him to hear, and the psalm directs a burdened person to the Lord. Second Corinthians 1:3-6 describes comfort received from God and extended to others amid suffering. This thematic comparison joins dependence and care without treating comfort as physical containment or promising the immediate disappearance of trouble.
Passage contextCanonical parallelPastoral application