Κίς (Kis)
Kis
Kish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The proper noun Kis refers to Kish, the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. This name appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 13:21 during Stephen’s speech recounting Israel’s history.
Its origin is Hebrew, where it carries the meaning "a snare." While this etymology might seem unusual for a royal lineage, it marks a specific genealogical link in the biblical narrative. The Greek text preserves the name as an indeclinable noun, acknowledging its foreign origin without adapting it to standard Greek grammatical cases.
Translators consistently render Kis as Kish to maintain historical continuity with the Old Testament accounts found in 1 Samuel. This single occurrence serves as a concise reference point, connecting the early monarchy of Israel to the broader story of God’s interaction with His people as presented in the Acts of the Apostles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Kish appears in Acts 13:21 as the father of Saul, Israel’s first king. This brief mention connects the New Testament narrative to the Old Testament history of God’s people. It reminds us that God works through real families and specific lineages to fulfill His purposes.
Though the name itself means 'a snare,' its presence in Scripture highlights how God can use unexpected origins for His plans. Saul’s lineage is recorded not for its perfection, but as part of the broader story of God’s interaction with Israel. This detail invites us to trust that God is present in every generation, guiding history toward His goals.
When we read these genealogical details, we see the continuity of God’s faithfulness. The same God who raised up kings also raises up believers today. We can find comfort in knowing that our place in God’s story is just as significant, even if our names are not recorded in Scripture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Kish,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Κίς,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:21
Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
This verse identifies Kish as the father of Saul, linking the New Testament account of Israel's history to the Old Testament monarchy.