כַּ֥ף אַחַ֛ת עֲשָׂרָ֥ה זָהָ֖ב מְלֵאָ֥ה קְטֹֽרֶת׃
(Numbers 7:14)
Literal English Translation
One gold spoon of ten [shekels], filled with incense.
Word-by-Word Explanation
- כַּף – “spoon”Noun. Refers to a small shallow vessel, often used in ritual contexts such as incense offerings in the tabernacle.
- אַחַת – “one” (feminine)Number. Hebrew numbers must match gender. כַּף is feminine, so the feminine numeral אַחַת is used.
- עֲשָׂרָה – “ten”Number. Refers to weight—specifically ten shekels. The word “shekels” is implied but not stated here.
- זָהָב – “gold”Noun. The spoon is made of gold. Together with the previous word: “ten [shekels] of gold.”
- מְלֵאָה – “filled”Adjective/Participle, feminine singular to match כַּף. Describes the state of the spoon.
- קְטֹרֶת – “incense”Noun, feminine. This refers to the sacred blend of aromatic spices used in the tabernacle worship, offered on the golden altar.
Word Order and Sentence Flow
This is a short, vivid inventory phrase describing a priestly offering. Hebrew tends to place:
1. The item first: כַּף אַחַת – “one spoon”
2. Its material and weight next: עֲשָׂרָה זָהָב – “ten [shekels] of gold”
3. Its content at the end: מְלֵאָה קְטֹרֶת – “filled with incense”
This order moves from outer form to inner content—what it is, what it’s made of, and what it holds.
Visual Breakdown: A Priest’s Offering Spoon
| Hebrew Phrase | Literal Meaning | Function in Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| כַּף אַחַת | One spoon | Object being offered |
| עֲשָׂרָה זָהָב | Ten [shekels] of gold | Weight and material |
| מְלֵאָה קְטֹרֶת | Filled with incense | Contents of the spoon |
Now You See the Structure
“Even a single spoon in Hebrew carries layers of meaning, grammar, and reverence.”
You’ve seen:
– Feminine agreement in numerals (אַחַת with כַּף)
– Implied measurement units (ten shekels)
– Sacred language: קְטֹרֶת appears throughout Torah as an offering reserved for holy places
Even a tiny gold spoon becomes a teaching tool in Biblical Hebrew.
From form to function, from weight to worship—you’re learning how each word holds spiritual and grammatical weight. Keep going—you’re offering yourself to the sacred language one verse at a time.
