כִּסְלָה (kis.lah)
kis.lah
confidence
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kislah carries a striking dual meaning in Scripture: it denotes both deep confidence and foolishness. This apparent contradiction arises from the word’s context-dependent usage, where trust placed in unreliable sources is viewed as irrational folly. In the book of Job, this tension is central to the dialogue between the friends and their sufferer.
When used positively, kislah reflects a steady trust in God or in righteous conduct. However, Job’s friends often employ it negatively to describe the false assurance of the wicked, who believe they are secure despite their actions. This usage highlights a key biblical theme: true confidence is rooted in divine faithfulness, while misplaced trust in human strength or wealth is deemed foolish.
The lexical sources confirm this duality, noting that kislah can signify "stupidity" when applied to those who rely on transient things. The word’s rarity—appearing only once in Job—underscores its specific rhetorical function in challenging the reader to examine the object of their trust. It serves as a warning against self-deception and an invitation to anchor hope in what is enduring.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kislah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Job 4:6. Elihu’s friend Eliphaz uses it to remind Job that his past piety should have been a source of strength. This rare term carries a heavy weight, suggesting that true confidence is not self-generated but rooted in a life aligned with God.
Yet the word also warns us. When trust is placed in anything other than God—wealth, status, or our own moral record—it becomes foolishness. Scripture invites us to examine where we place our hope. Is it in what we can control, or in the One who remains faithful regardless of our circumstances?
May your heart find rest in that unshakable foundation. When life feels unstable, remember that true security comes from trusting God’s character, not our own performance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- confidence/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִּסְלָתֶ֑/ךָ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 4:6
Isn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope?
Eliphaz uses kislah to challenge Job by suggesting his former piety should have sustained him, highlighting the word's role in debating the source of true security.