Original Word: כִּפָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: kippah
Pronunciation: kip-PAH
Phonetic Spelling: (kip-paw')
KJV: branch
NASB: palm branch
Word Origin: [feminine of H3709 (כַּף - hands)]

1. a leaf of a palm-tree

branch

Feminine of kaph; a leaf of a palm-tree -- branch.

see HEBREW kaph

Word Origin
fem. of kaph
Definition
a branch, frond (of a palm tree)
NASB Translation
palm branch (3). (probably of palm tree, compare ); — Isaiah 9:13; Isaiah 19:15 figurative of nobles, rulers (both opposed to rush, i.e. high and low; "" ); with suffix Job 15:32 (of wicked under figure of palm-tree).

I. (of following; original meaning dubious, but most probably cover, compare Arabic 👁 Image
cover, hide; > RS who thinks of Aramaic , 👁 Image
Pa`el wash away, rub off whence of washing away, obliteration of sin: Late Hebrew , Aramaic and derive.; Arabic 👁 Image
an expiation (see RS^{OTJC 438; 2. 381} Kn on Leviticus 4:20 Ri^{Begr. Der Sühne} We^{compare 335 f.} Sm^{AT Rel. Geschichte. 321} Now^{Archaeology ii, 192} Dr^{Deut 425} Schmoller^{St,Kr. 1891, 205 ff.} Lag^{BN 230 ff.})). On original meaning compare now Dr^{Hast. DB PROPITIATION}; also Assyrian kuppuru, purify (and derivatives takpirtu) Zim^{KAT 3. 601 f.} Morgenstern^{Sin in Babylonian Religion (MVG 1905, 3) 44, 122}.

Overview

Kippah depicts the tuft or crown of a tree, most naturally the graceful palm-branch. Physically it points to the green, upward-reaching extremity of growth; literarily it serves as an image of prominence, leadership, or the pride of a people brought low under divine judgment.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Job 15:32 – the withering “branch” of the wicked.
2. Isaiah 9:14 – Israel’s “palm branch and reed” cut off in one day.
3. Isaiah 19:15 – Egypt’s “palm branch or reed” rendered powerless.

Contextual Nuances

Job 15 places the word within Eliphaz’s speech on the inevitable collapse of the arrogant. The green summit that once announced vitality will never flourish, underscoring the certainty of retribution.

In the twin Isaianic texts, kippah pairs with “reed” to cover every social stratum—from exalted leaders (the soaring palm) to the lowly commoner (the fragile marsh reed). The phrase “head and tail, palm branch and reed” serves as a merism, declaring totality of judgment.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

1. Judgment on Pride. The palm-like crown symbolizes what is most visible and celebrated. Its removal demonstrates that no human stature, political or religious, can shield a nation from the righteousness of God.

2. Comprehensive Accountability. By coupling kippah with the reed, Scripture stresses that divine scrutiny reaches the whole body politic. Leadership failure (“head…palm-branch”) hastens collective downfall—an enduring warning for those entrusted with authority in church or state.

3. Transiency of Earthly Glory. The palm was a Near-Eastern emblem of prosperity and victory; yet in Job the same green tip withers “before its time.” Temporal success apart from righteousness is exposed as fleeting.

4. Anticipation of Messianic Restoration. The removal of the palm-branch in Isaiah 9 precedes the prophecy of a Child whose government will be established “with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:7). The judgment imagery therefore heightens longing for the Branch of the Lord who cannot be cut off (cf. Isaiah 11:1).

Historical Background

• Palm trees lined ancient processional roads and temple environs, making the kippah a natural image for civic and religious elites.​
• Both Israel (eighth century BC) and Egypt (early seventh century BC) faced geopolitical upheavals that fulfilled Isaiah’s oracles; toppled kings and priests vividly portrayed the felled palm tip.​

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Integrity over Image: Churches must cultivate depth of root in doctrine and holiness, not merely the visible canopy of programs and reputation.
• Leadership Sobriety: Those in prominent roles are the first “palm branches” God addresses; authority is stewardship, not immunity.
• Hope after Humbling: Even where kippah is lopped off, Scripture moves toward restoration. Repentance opens the way for the flourishing guaranteed in Jesus Christ, the unfading Branch.

Summary

Kippah, though a small term, carries a large reminder: whatever rises highest among God’s people must remain subject to His Word. When that Word is ignored, the proud palm is severed; when it is honored, the true and living Branch secures everlasting fruitfulness.

וְ֝כִפָּת֗וֹ וכפתו כִּפָּ֥ה כפה kip·pāh kipPah kippāh vechippaTo wə·ḵip·pā·ṯōw wəḵippāṯōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts

Job 15:32
HEB: י֭וֹמוֹ תִּמָּלֵ֑א וְ֝כִפָּת֗וֹ לֹ֣א רַעֲנָֽנָה׃
NAS: his time, And his palm branch will not be green.
KJV: his time, and his branch shall not be green.
INT: his time will be accomplished and his palm before shall not be green

Isaiah 9:14
HEB: רֹ֧אשׁ וְזָנָ֛ב כִּפָּ֥ה וְאַגְמ֖וֹן י֥וֹם
NAS: from Israel, [Both] palm branch and bulrush
KJV: head and tail, branch and rush, in one
INT: head and tail palm and bulrush day

Isaiah 19:15
HEB: רֹ֥אשׁ וְזָנָ֖ב כִּפָּ֥ה וְאַגְמֽוֹן׃ ס
NAS: or tail, [its] palm branch or bulrush,
KJV: or tail, branch or rush,
INT: head tail palm bulrush

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3712
3 Occurrences

kip·pāh — 2 Occ.
wə·ḵip·pā·ṯōw — 1 Occ.