כָּשֵׁר (ka.sher)
ka.sher
to succeed
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb kasher carries the core meaning of being suitable, proper, or advantageous. It describes a state where things align correctly, whether in social propriety or practical effectiveness. In the Qal stem, it often indicates that something is right or pleasing in a given context, suggesting an inherent fitness for purpose.
A key distinction appears in its Hiphil form, which shifts from a static quality to an active result: "to give success." This usage highlights how proper conduct leads to favorable outcomes. The sources note this dynamic in Esther, where the phrase "it was right in the king’s sight" (Esther 2:15) reflects not just moral approval but effective favor and successful reception.
Though rare, with only three occurrences recorded in Ecclesiastes and Esther, the word underscores a biblical theme: alignment with wisdom or authority brings success. Translators often render it as "succeed" or "please," depending on whether the focus is on internal suitability or external result. Its root likely relates to straightness or correctness, implying that what is kasher fits together without obstruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kasher points to a quiet harmony between action and outcome. In Ecclesiastes, it reminds us that skill and preparation matter, yet we do not always know which effort will bear fruit. This uncertainty invites us to work faithfully without demanding immediate results.
In Esther, the term shifts to favor within authority. Mordecai’s counsel succeeds because it aligns with justice and wisdom, earning the king’s approval. We see here that integrity often opens doors we cannot force open ourselves.
For your daily life, this means trusting that right conduct has value even when success is not instant. You are encouraged to sow seeds in the morning and evening, knowing that God sees your diligence. May you find peace in doing what is right, leaving the outcomes in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will it succeed1×
- to give success1×
- and/ it is proper1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִכְשָׁר֙1×
- וְ/כָשֵׁ֤ר1×
- הַכְשֵׁ֖ר1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
This verse links practical skill directly to success, showing that preparation and competence are vital for effective work.
-
Esther 8:5
She said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seems right to the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces.
Mordecai’s proposal succeeds because it is deemed right by the king, illustrating how wisdom aligns with favorable outcomes.
-
Ecclesiastes 11:6
In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don’t withhold your hand; for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.
The text acknowledges uncertainty about which labor will prosper, encouraging consistent effort without guaranteeing specific results.