Kaf

Kaf, also spelled Khaf in some transliteration schemes, is the eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It has two forms: the standard letter כ and the final form ך, which is used only at the end of a word. In gematria, Kaf has a numeric value of 20. In modern Hebrew, the letter generally represents the voiceless velar plosive sound /k/ and is commonly transliterated as "k" in Latin scripts.

The name Kaf is historically linked to the Hebrew word כף, meaning "palm" or "scoop," and the letter itself derives from the Phoenician Kaph. This Phoenician form gave rise to the Greek kappa and, ultimately, the Latin C and K, reflecting the historical development of many alphabetic systems.

In writing and typography, the two glyphs (כ and ך) are used according to position within a word: כ appears in non-final positions, while ך is the final form used at word endings. Beyond its role as a letter, Kaf appears in discussions of Hebrew phonology, orthography, and numerology, and it figures in studies of biblical and modern Hebrew texts.

As with other Hebrew letters, Kaf is taught in literacy contexts and appears in dictionaries and word lists that catalog Hebrew alphabetic order, sound value, and transliteration conventions. Its historical lineage and its stable position in the alphabet make it a common reference point in discussions of Semitic scripts.