כִּידוֹן (ki.don)
ki.don
javelin
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun kīdôn refers to a javelin or dart, a light spear designed for throwing rather than thrusting. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears in seven verses, primarily within the narratives of Joshua and Samuel, as well as in the prophetic writings of Jeremiah. The word captures the essence of ancient warfare, where agility and ranged precision were often as critical as brute strength.
While typically denoting an offensive weapon, the term also describes a piece of defensive armor. In 1 Samuel 17:6, it identifies the gorget worn by Goliath, a metal plate protecting the throat and neck. This dual usage highlights how the same root concept could apply to both the projectile launched from the hand and the protective gear worn by the warrior.
The word’s presence in these texts underscores the physical reality of biblical conflict. Whether describing David’s sling stones or Goliath’s heavy armor, kīdôn grounds the stories in the tangible equipment of the ancient Near East, reminding readers that these events unfolded with real weapons and real stakes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kīdôn describes a javelin, a light spear designed for throwing rather than thrusting. It appears in narratives where agility and precision matter as much as strength. In Joshua 8, God directs Joshua to hold this weapon toward Ai, signaling divine presence in battle. This image reminds us that our struggles are met with specific, tangible guidance.
The term also describes a piece of armor in 1 Samuel 17:6, where Goliath wears a bronze javelin-like gorget to protect his neck. This dual use highlights how the same concept applies to both attack and defense. In your life, you may face threats that require both courage and protection.
David contrasts his reliance on God with Goliath’s weapons in 1 Samuel 17:45. He notes that while the enemy comes with swords and javelins, he comes in the name of Yahweh. This contrast offers comfort: you do not need to match the world’s heavy armor or aggressive tactics. Faith provides a different kind of strength, one that does not rely on physical weaponry but on trust in God’s power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with the/ javelin3×
- and/ javelin2×
- and/ with/ javelin1×
- and/ a javelin of1×
- and/ a javelin1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בְ/כִיד֑וֹן1×
- וְ/כִידֽוֹן\׃1×
- וְ/כִידֹ֞ן1×
- וְ/כִיד֥וֹן1×
- וְ/כִיד֞וֹן1×
- בַּ/כִּיד֥וֹן1×
- בַּ/כִּיד֤וֹן1×
- בַּ/כִּיד֑וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 8:18
Yahweh said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city.
This verse shows the javelin as a visible sign of God's command to advance, linking the physical object directly to divine instruction.
-
I Samuel 17:6
He had bronze shin armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders.
Here the word refers to a protective gorget worn by Goliath, illustrating its use for defense rather than just offense.
-
I Samuel 17:45
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
David lists the javelin among Goliath's weapons to highlight the contrast between human military might and spiritual reliance on God.