כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph)
ke.seph
silver: money
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 309 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kessef denotes silver, a metal valued for its pale color and durability. In Genesis 23:15, Abraham negotiates the price of a burial cave using "four hundred shekels of silver," illustrating how the word refers to raw metal weighed out by mass rather than stamped coins. This practical usage reflects an ancient economy where wealth was measured in tangible bullion.
Over time, kessef expands to mean money or payment in general. The sources note that it appears frequently in contexts of commerce and legal transactions, such as the twenty pieces of silver paid for Joseph in Genesis 37:28. It also describes wages or ransoms, like the thirty pieces of silver mentioned in Zechariah 11:12, showing its role as a standard unit of value.
Its etymology links to the idea of brightness or whiteness, distinguishing it from gold (zahab), which is associated with yellow. This linguistic contrast highlights how ancient Israelites categorized precious materials by their visual properties. The word’s persistence across legal codes and narrative histories underscores silver’s central role in biblical society as both a commodity and a symbol of covenantal exchange.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kessef refers to silver, a metal valued for its brightness and durability. In ancient Israel, this was not just jewelry but the primary form of currency. Wealth was measured by weight, not by stamped coins, making silver a tangible symbol of provision and exchange. When Abraham paid four hundred shekels for a burial cave, he used this metal to secure a permanent place for his family, showing how deeply connected material resources were to covenantal promises.
For your faith life, kessef reminds us that God provides the means for our needs and our commitments. Whether it is the silver returned to Joseph’s brothers or the wages paid to those who served him, Scripture shows money as a tool in God’s hands. It can be used to build relationships, secure justice, or support others. Trusting God with your resources allows you to participate in His provision rather than fearing lack.
This word invites you to view your own assets through a lens of stewardship. Just as silver was weighed carefully in ancient markets, your time and talents are weighed by God with purpose. He does not ask for hoarding but for faithful use. May you find peace in knowing that the same God who provided silver for Abraham’s family provides for your daily walk.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 309 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- silver139×
- the/ silver33×
- and/ silver23×
- the/ money19×
- money14×
- <the>/ silver13×
- for <the>/ silver9×
- [were] silver9×
- silver/ your7×
- and/ the/ silver7×
- [the] silver of7×
- for/ money6×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כֶּ֣סֶף32×
- כֶּ֔סֶף31×
- כָּ֑סֶף21×
- כָּֽסֶף\׃16×
- כֶּ֖סֶף13×
- הַ/כֶּ֖סֶף11×
- הַ/כֶּ֔סֶף9×
- כֶּ֙סֶף֙7×
- כֶּ֗סֶף7×
- הַ/כֶּ֙סֶף֙7×
- כֶ֔סֶף6×
- הַ/כֶּ֤סֶף6×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 23:15
“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead.”
This verse shows silver as a standard unit of value in a legal transaction, highlighting its role in securing a permanent inheritance.
-
Genesis 37:28
Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The merchants brought Joseph into Egypt.
Here silver marks the tragic exchange of Joseph, illustrating how money can be used for both gain and loss in human hands.
-
Genesis 42:28
He said to his brothers, “My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!” Their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”
The return of money to the brothers’ sacks serves as a divine sign that provokes fear and recognition of God’s sovereign control over their circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kessef mean in the Bible?
How was silver used in biblical times?
Why is silver mentioned so often in Genesis?
Every Occurrence (309 verses across 33 books)
Genesis 32 verses
Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 17:12He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the…
Genesis 17:13He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your…
Genesis 17:23Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among…
Genesis 17:27All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with…
Genesis 20:16To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of…
Genesis 23:9that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price let him…
Genesis 23:13He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the…
Genesis 23:15“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury…
Genesis 23:16Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of…
Genesis 24:35Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. Yahweh has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male…
Genesis 24:53The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave…
Genesis 31:15Aren’t we considered as foreigners by him? For he has sold us, and has also used up our money.
Genesis 37:28Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the…
Genesis 42:25Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore each man’s money into his sack, and to give…
Genesis 42:27As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the…
Genesis 42:28He said to his brothers, “My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!” Their hearts failed them, and they turned…
Genesis 42:35As they emptied their sacks, behold, each man’s bundle of money was in his sack. When they and their father saw their…
Genesis 43:12and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it…
Genesis 43:15The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and…
Genesis 43:18The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was…
Genesis 43:21When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our…
Genesis 43:22We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”
Genesis 43:23He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.…
Genesis 44:1He commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each…
Genesis 44:2Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” He did according to the word…
Genesis 44:8Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then…
Genesis 45:22He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes…
Genesis 47:14Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which…
Genesis 47:15When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and…
Genesis 47:16Joseph said, “Give me your livestock; and I will give you food for your livestock, if your money is gone.”
Genesis 47:18When that year was ended, they came to him the second year, and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord how our…