כָּתֵף

From the study of Joshua 15:11

Range of meaning

The shoulder of a person or animal, and by extension the side, flank or slope of a hill, a building or a city site.

Against the English

KJV and WEB have 'side'; BSB 'slope'. 'Slope' keeps the picture of terrain more clearly.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used of land in the boundary lists (Josh 15:8, 10, 11; 18:12–13, 16, 18–19) and of the sides of the temple (1 Kgs 6:8).

From the study of Exodus 39:18

Range of meaning

Shoulder, shoulder-blade. Also the side of a building or object (1 Kings 6:8), and the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.

Against the English

'Shoulderpieces' (KJV), 'shoulder pieces' (BSB), 'shoulder straps' (WEB), 'shoulders' (YLT). All accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus 28:7, 12, 25, 27; 39:4, 7, 18, 20. In the Hebrew Bible the shoulder is where burdens and responsibility are carried (Isaiah 9:6, 'the government will be on his shoulder'; Isaiah 22:22).

From the study of Exodus 28:12

Range of meaning

Shoulder or shoulder blade; also the 'shoulder' or side of a structure or landscape (Exod 27:14; Josh 15:8). The shoulder is where loads are carried (Num 7:9; Isa 46:7; 49:22), and turning a 'stubborn shoulder' means refusing (Neh 9:29; Zech 7:11).

Against the English

'Shoulder pieces' or 'shoulder straps' (WEB) for the garment, 'shoulders' for Aaron. The verse moves from the ephod's shoulders to Aaron's own, and translations generally keep that move.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deut 33:12, Moses' blessing of Benjamin: the LORD 'dwells between his shoulders' (bên kətēpāyw). Note that the familiar 'the government shall be upon his shoulder' in Isa 9:6 uses a different word (šekem), so the link sometimes drawn with that verse rests on English, not on shared Hebrew vocabulary.