כֶּחָשׁ (ke.chash)
ke.chash
deceptive
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective kechas describes something as deceptive or false. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Isaiah 30:9, where it characterizes the people’s refusal to listen to God’s instruction. In this context, the word highlights a deliberate turning away from truth, suggesting that their disobedience was not merely accidental but rooted in a dishonest disposition.
While its usage is rare, the term carries significant weight in prophetic literature by labeling spiritual unfaithfulness as a form of falsehood. Translators typically render it as "deceitful" or "lying," capturing the idea that the people’s hearts were not aligned with reality. This single occurrence underscores the seriousness with which Scripture views intentional rejection of divine guidance, framing it as a fundamental breach of trust rather than simple error.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kechas describes a heart that actively chooses to ignore truth. In Isaiah 30:9, it labels Israel as lying children who refused to listen to God’s instruction. This is not simple confusion or mistake. It is a deliberate turning away from what is right.
When we face hard truths in Scripture, we might feel the same pull. We often prefer comfortable lies over challenging guidance. Recognizing this tendency helps us stay humble before God. He sees our hearts and invites us toward honesty rather than deception.
This rare word reminds us that spiritual health requires openness to correction. It calls us to examine where we might be resisting divine direction. Trusting God means accepting His wisdom even when it contradicts our own desires.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- lying1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כֶּחָשִׁ֑ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 30:9
For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear Yahweh’s law;
This verse uses kechas to describe Israel as lying children, highlighting their deliberate refusal to hear Yahweh's law rather than mere ignorance.