כִּישׁוֹר (ki.shor)
ki.shor
distaff
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word kishor refers to a distaff, the rod used to hold unspun wool or flax while a woman spins thread into yarn. It appears only once in the entire Bible, in Proverbs 31:19, where it serves as a concrete detail in the portrait of the capable wife.
This single occurrence places the term firmly within the context of ancient textile production. The distaff was not merely a tool but a symbol of diligent industry and domestic skill. By holding the raw material ready for the spindle, it represented the preparatory work that made weaving possible.
Translators typically render kishor as "distaff" to preserve this specific image. While modern readers might overlook the object, its presence in Proverbs 31 highlights the value placed on practical craftsmanship and the orderliness of the household in ancient Israelite wisdom literature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The image of a distaff in Proverbs 31 brings ancient textile work into sharp focus. This simple rod held raw wool or flax ready for spinning, turning loose fibers into strong thread. It represents the quiet, preparatory labor that makes creation possible. Without this steady holding of materials, the spindle would have nothing to work with.
For your daily life, this word invites you to value the unseen groundwork of faithfulness. Just as the distaff supports the spinner, small acts of preparation and care support the larger goals of your household and calling. It is not about grand gestures but consistent, diligent effort in what is right before you.
May you find peace in the rhythm of faithful work, knowing that God honors the steady hands that prepare the way for good things to come.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- on the/ distaff1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַ/כִּישׁ֑וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 31:19
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
This verse places the distaff alongside the spindle to show the complete process of textile production, highlighting the woman's active role in skilled labor.