כֹּה

From the study of Jeremiah 9:23

Range of meaning

The messenger formula: 'Thus says [sender]'. Royal and diplomatic messengers used it across the ancient Near East (for example in letters from Mari and in the Assyrian envoy's speech in 2 Kgs 18:19, 'Thus says the great king').

Against the English

BSB's 'This is what the LORD says' is accurate. The ancient diplomatic flavour is lost in every English version.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in the prophets. In 2 Kgs 18:19, 29 the Assyrian envoy uses it for his king.

From the study of Isaiah 7:7

Range of meaning

'Thus says / thus has said' was the set opening of a messenger delivering a superior's message word for word. In the prophets it marks an oracle, a direct speech of God carried by an envoy.

Against the English

KJV 'Thus saith' sounds solemn and churchy to modern ears. In its day the formula was ordinary diplomatic and letter-writing language. Its force came from whose envoy was speaking, not from an elevated tone. BSB 'this is what… says' is accurate and plain.

Used elsewhere in the period

Messengers use it in narrative, e.g. Gen 32:4 (Jacob's message to Esau) and 2 Kgs 18:19 (the Assyrian official's 'Thus says the great king'). Royal letters from Mari and in Akkadian open with a similar 'Say to X: thus says Y'. It is the most common way the Hebrew prophets introduce an oracle.

From the study of Genesis 15:5

Range of meaning

Thus, so, in this way, like this; also 'here'. It often introduces speech ('Thus says the LORD') or points to something present.

Against the English

Most versions: 'So shall your offspring be.' NLT spells it out as a statement of number ('That's how many...'). YLT's 'Thus is thy seed' keeps the pointing word but makes it present tense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Genesis 22:17 makes the comparison explicitly about number: 'I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand on the seashore.' Deut 1:10 says Israel already is 'as the stars of heaven for multitude'. Philo (Who Is the Heir 86–87) and later readers also took kōh to include the stars' brightness and heavenly quality.