כִּיס (kis)
kis
purse
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kis refers to a small bag or purse used for carrying valuable items. In the Old Testament, it appears in five verses, primarily within wisdom literature and prophetic books. The sources indicate two main uses: holding money, as seen in Proverbs 1:14 where it is part of a description of gathering wealth, and containing weights, which connects to commercial practices.
A notable detail from the lexicons is its specific association with dishonest scales. In Micah 6:11 and Deuteronomy 25:13, the word describes a purse holding false weights, highlighting a common form of fraud in ancient markets. This usage underscores the moral weight of integrity in trade, linking physical objects to ethical behavior.
The term may be related to other Semitic words for bags or containers, suggesting a shared cultural understanding of portable storage for currency and measures. Its presence in Proverbs 16:11 alongside honest weights reinforces the theme that fairness is valued by both society and God. The word serves as a concrete reminder of the tangible nature of justice in daily economic life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kis refers to a small pouch or purse used in ancient times for carrying coins or weights. While it might seem like a minor detail, its appearance in Scripture highlights how deeply God cares about our daily conduct. In markets and trades, this bag was often the tool of deceit when filled with false weights, revealing a heart that prioritizes gain over integrity.
Yet the same object can also symbolize unity and shared purpose. In Proverbs 1:14, friends invite a new member to join their circle by saying, "We’ll all have one purse." This image reminds us that community thrives when we share resources and trust one another. God sees both the dishonest bag and the shared purse, calling us to honesty in business and generosity in fellowship.
Understanding this word helps us see that faithfulness isn't just about big spiritual moments but also about how we handle small things. Whether it's balancing a budget or keeping promises, our integrity matters to God. Let this truth encourage you to live with transparency and kindness in all your interactions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ bag/ your1×
- from/ a bag1×
- and/ with/ a bag of1×
- a bag1×
- [the] bag1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/כִּ֔יס1×
- כִּ֥יס1×
- כִֽיס\׃1×
- וּ/בְ/כִ֖יס1×
- בְּ/כִֽיסְ/ךָ֖1×
Key Verses
-
Micah 6:11
Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights?
This verse uses the word to condemn dishonest trade practices, showing that God rejects deceitful weights hidden in a purse.
-
Proverbs 1:14
You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—
Here the purse represents communal sharing and unity among friends who pool their resources together.
-
Deuteronomy 25:13
You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light.
The law explicitly forbids keeping different weights in one bag, linking honest commerce to obedience to God.