כְּמוֹ
ke.mo
like
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# כְּמוֹ (kemo): The Hebrew Word for "Like" The Hebrew word כְּמוֹ (kemo) functions as a comparative particle meaning "like" or "as," appearing 142 times throughout the Hebrew Bible. This frequency indicates it was a fundamental tool for making comparisons in biblical Hebrew, allowing writers and speakers to clarify meaning by relating unfamiliar concepts to known ones. The word operates as a relatively simple but essential connector between two elements—establishing similarity, analogy, or correspondence between them. Given its 142 occurrences, כְּמוֹ served as one of the standard ways biblical authors constructed metaphorical and illustrative language. Whether comparing physical objects, abstract qualities, or divine attributes to human experience, this particle enabled communication across the gap between different domains of meaning. Its prevalence suggests that comparison and analogy were not peripheral to biblical expression but rather central to how ancient Hebrew speakers conveyed complex ideas and theological concepts to their audiences.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
142 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet, nor did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests, the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 6:11I said, “Should a man like me flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”
Nehemiah 6:11I said, “Should a man like me flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”
Nehemiah 9:11You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the middle of the sea on the dry land; and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
Nehemiah 13:26Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin.
Job 1:8Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”
Job 2:3Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.”
Job 6:15My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
Job 9:32For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, that we should come together in judgment.
Job 10:22the land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order, where the light is as midnight.’ ”
Job 10:22the land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order, where the light is as midnight.’ ”
Job 12:3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these?
Job 12:3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these?
Job 14:9yet through the scent of water it will bud, and sprout boughs like a plant.
Job 19:22Why do you persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Job 28:5As for the earth, out of it comes bread; Underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
Job 31:37I would declare to him the number of my steps. as a prince would I go near to him.
Job 35:8Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
Job 36:22Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
Job 38:14It is changed as clay under the seal, and presented as a garment.
Job 40:9Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him?
Job 40:17He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together.
Job 41:24His heart is as firm as a stone, yes, firm as the lower millstone.
Psalms 29:6He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox.
Psalms 29:6He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox.
Psalms 35:10All my bones shall say, “Yahweh, who is like you, who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?”
Psalms 58:4Their poison is like the poison of a snake, like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,
Psalms 58:7Let them vanish like water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.
Psalms 58:7Let them vanish like water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.
Psalms 58:8Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.
Psalms 58:9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.
Psalms 58:9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.
Psalms 61:6You will prolong the king’s life. His years will be for generations.
Psalms 63:5My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,
Psalms 71:19Your righteousness also, God, reaches to the heavens; you have done great things. God, who is like you?
Psalms 73:15If I had said, “I will speak thus”; behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
Psalms 78:13He split the sea, and caused them to pass through. He made the waters stand as a heap.
Psalms 78:69He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever.
Psalms 79:5How long, Yahweh? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
Psalms 86:8There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.
Psalms 88:5set apart among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand.
Psalms 89:8Yahweh, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you? Yah, your faithfulness is around you.
Psalms 89:46How long, Yahweh? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your wrath burn like fire?
Psalms 90:9For all our days have passed away in your wrath. We bring our years to an end as a sigh.
Psalms 92:7though the wicked spring up as the grass, and all the evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.
Psalms 102:3For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch.
Psalms 115:8Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.
Psalms 135:18Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.
Psalms 140:3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips.
Psalms 141:7“As when one plows and breaks up the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.”