כֵּס (kes)
kes
throne
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 kes refers to a seat of honor or a throne. It functions as an alternative spelling for the more common kis, which denotes the royal chair of authority. In Scripture, this term highlights the position of power held by a ruler rather than the physical object itself.
Although it appears only once in the biblical text, its usage is significant. The word occurs in Exodus 2:14, where Moses challenges an Egyptian who was striking his Hebrew brother. By asking if the man intends to kill him as kes would, Moses invokes the concept of royal judgment and lethal authority. This single instance underscores the word’s association with sovereign power and the right to execute justice.
Translators typically render kes as throne or seat to convey this sense of elevated status. The term serves as a linguistic variant that reinforces the imagery of kingship and dominion within the ancient Near Eastern context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kes appears in Exodus 2:14 when Moses speaks to an Egyptian who was striking a fellow Hebrew. Moses asks, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' Here, kes represents the authority of a ruler or judge. It reminds us that true leadership carries the weight of responsibility and justice.
When we face those who abuse power or act with arrogance, this word invites us to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty. While human rulers may sit on thrones of authority, they do so under God's watchful eye. We can find comfort knowing that injustice will not go unanswered, and that God sees the struggles of His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] throne of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כֵּ֣ס1×