קִלְּשׁוֹן (qil.l.shon)
qil.l.shon
fork
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word qilshon appears only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 13:21. It is a rare and difficult term, with scholars uncertain of its precise meaning. Most translations render it as "forks," likely referring to agricultural tools like three-pronged pitchforks or goads used for handling grain or driving livestock.
The uncertainty stems from the word’s unusual form and lack of clear parallels in other Semitic languages. Brown-Driver-Briggs notes that some propose it might refer to a "fine point," suggesting a tool with a sharp end, though this remains speculative. Its single occurrence limits contextual clues, making definitive interpretation challenging.
This rarity highlights the challenges of translating ancient texts. While most Bibles settle on "forks" for practicality, the ambiguity reminds readers that some details in Scripture remain obscure. The word’s presence in a passage about Israel’s need for skilled craftsmen underscores the importance of everyday tools in biblical times, even when their exact nature is lost to history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When reading 1 Samuel 13:21, we encounter a rare word for "fork" that appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible. This single mention highlights how deeply faith was woven into the daily grind of ordinary life. The Israelites had to travel to their neighbors to sharpen their agricultural tools because they lacked skilled blacksmiths among themselves. It is a small detail, yet it reveals a community relying on practical skills and each other for survival.
This word reminds us that God cares about the mundane aspects of our existence. Whether you are working with your hands in a field or managing tasks at home, your labor has value. The uncertainty surrounding this specific term does not diminish the text; instead, it invites humility. We can trust that Scripture is true even when some historical details remain obscure to us today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fork1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קִלְּשׁ֖וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 13:21
The price was one payim each to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.
This verse uses the term for "fork" to list essential farming tools, illustrating the practical needs of Israel's agricultural society.