קִישׁ (qish)
qish
Kish
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Qish, meaning "bent" or "crooked," appears in Scripture primarily as the father of Israel’s first king, Saul. Found most frequently in the books of Samuel and Chronicles, this figure anchors the narrative of the United Monarchy. He is identified as a Benjamite from the family of Matri, son of Abiel and Maacah, and uncle to another man named Qish who was the brother of the prophet Samuel’s ancestor.
While the most prominent Qish is Saul’s father, the name recurs in other genealogical records. It identifies a Merarite Levite, a descendant of Mahli, and another Levite from the time of King Hezekiah. Additionally, it serves as an ancestral marker for Mordecai, the hero of Esther. The repetition of this uncommon name across different tribes and eras highlights the interconnectedness of Israel’s tribal lines during the early monarchy.
Translators render the Hebrew Qish as Kis in the Greek Septuagint, preserving the phonetic identity across languages. The meaning "bent" offers a subtle contrast to the stature expected of a king’s father, perhaps hinting at the human imperfections within royal lineages. This lexical entry reminds readers that biblical history is built upon specific, named individuals whose lives intersect with God’s broader plan.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Qish appears in Scripture primarily as the father of King Saul, anchoring the narrative of Israel’s first monarchy. Though his own story is brief, his lineage connects to the broader tapestry of tribal history. This reminds us that God works through specific families and generations, even when individual members remain largely unseen.
Qish also appears in genealogies as a Levite and an ancestor of Mordecai. These varied occurrences show how names carry weight across different eras and tribes. The meaning 'bent' offers a subtle contrast to the stature expected of a king’s father, perhaps hinting at the human imperfections within royal lineages. This lexical entry reminds readers that biblical history is built upon specific, named individuals whose lives intersect with God’s broader plan.
When we encounter these names, we are invited to see the interconnectedness of Israel’s tribal lines during the early monarchy. Translators render the Hebrew Qish as Kis in the Greek Septuagint, preserving the phonetic identity across languages. This continuity helps us trace the threads of faithfulness that run through history, connecting past generations to our own spiritual journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Kish12×
- and/ Kish6×
- of/ Kish1×
- for/ Kish1×
- [was] Kish1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קִ֔ישׁ5×
- וְ/קִ֖ישׁ3×
- קִ֣ישׁ2×
- קִ֖ישׁ2×
- לְ/קִ֖ישׁ2×
- קִ֥ישׁ1×
- קִ֜ישׁ1×
- קִ֚ישׁ1×
- קִ֑ישׁ1×
- וְ/קִֽישׁ\׃1×
- וְ/קִ֧ישׁ1×
- וְ/קִ֔ישׁ1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 9:1
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.
This verse introduces Kish as a mighty man of valor from Benjamin, establishing the noble lineage from which Saul would emerge.
-
I Samuel 9:3
The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Now take one of the servants with you, and arise, go look for the donkeys.”
Here Kish acts as a practical father figure, sending Saul to search for lost donkeys, an event that sets the stage for his anointing.
-
II Samuel 21:14
They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they performed all that the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer for the land.
The burial of Saul and Jonathan in Kish’s tomb signifies the restoration of honor to the royal house after a period of turmoil.
-
Esther 2:5
There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
This reference links Kish to Mordecai, showing how the name persists across centuries and connects the tribe of Benjamin to the deliverance of the Jews in Persia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Qish mean?
Who is the most prominent Kish in the Bible?
Why does Kish appear in different tribes?
How is Kish connected to Mordecai?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 5 books)
I Samuel 5 verses
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son…
I Samuel 9:3The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Now take one of the servants with you, and…
I Samuel 10:11When all who knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said to one another,…
I Samuel 10:21He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families and the family of the Matrites was chosen. Then Saul the son of…
I Samuel 14:51Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.