כֶּ֫סֶא (ke.se)
ke.se
full moon
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun kesse means "full moon" in Biblical Hebrew. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within poetic or wisdom literature that uses celestial imagery to describe human circumstances.
In Proverbs 7:20, a man goes out at night for an illicit affair, and his wife is away until he returns when "the moon is full." Here, the word marks a specific time of night—bright and visible—when normal household routines are suspended. The Psalmist uses it in Psalm 81:4 to command offering a sacrifice on the day of the new moon, during the feast covering the full moon. In this context, kesse anchors religious observance to the lunar calendar, marking a holy time for communal worship.
Though rare, the word grounds spiritual and social life in the natural rhythm of the sky. It reminds readers that ancient Israelites tracked time not just by days, but by the visible phases of the moon, integrating these cycles into their moral decisions and religious duties.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kesse refers to the full moon, a time when night is bright and shadows are minimized. In Proverbs 7:20, it marks the hour when a man expects his wife to be away, believing the light will hide his illicit actions. This usage highlights how people sometimes use favorable circumstances to justify poor choices.
Yet this same celestial marker appears in Psalm 81:4 as a command for holy worship. The full moon was not just a time for secrecy but a designated season for offering sacrifices and remembering God’s laws. This contrast invites us to consider how we use our own 'bright seasons.' Are they times for hidden compromises, or opportunities for public faithfulness?
Understanding kesse reminds us that time itself is neutral; it is our hearts that determine whether we use these moments for darkness or light. We are invited to align our lives with the rhythms of worship rather than convenience.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ full moon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ֝/כֵּ֗סֶא1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 7:20
He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”
This verse uses the full moon to indicate a specific time when the wife is absent, providing the opportunity for the adulterer's plan.