קֶ֫צַח (qe.tsach)
qe.tsach
dill
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word qeṣaḥ refers to black cumin, a plant known for its small, sharp-tasting seeds. In ancient Israel, these seeds were not a staple grain but a valued condiment used to flavor food. Their pungent aroma and bite made them distinct from the milder spices we might think of today.
This term appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in Isaiah. The prophet uses it as part of a vivid agricultural image to illustrate God’s methodical care for His people (Isaiah 28:27-28). Just as a farmer does not grind black cumin with a heavy sledge but beats it lightly to release its flavor without destroying the seed, God treats His people with precision and mercy rather than harsh destruction.
The contrast between grinding wheat and beating cumin highlights a key point about divine judgment. The word itself carries no mystical weight; its power comes from this practical example of careful handling. It reminds readers that even in correction, there is a deliberate restraint designed to preserve the integrity of what is being judged.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Isaiah uses the humble dill to show how God handles His people. Farmers do not crush these small seeds with heavy wheels, for that would destroy their value. Instead, they beat them gently with a stick to release their flavor. This image reminds us that correction is never about destruction.
When life feels difficult or when we face discipline, it can be easy to fear the worst. Yet this passage suggests a different reality. God’s methods are precise and careful. He preserves our integrity even while working through us. His care ensures that we remain whole, not broken.
This gentle approach offers real comfort. You are known and valued by a Creator who pays attention to detail. Even in seasons of growth or correction, His hand is steady. We can trust that His purpose is to bring out the best in us, just as the farmer brings out the taste from the seed.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- black cumin3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קֶ֖צַח2×
- קֶ֔צַח1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 28:25
When he has leveled its surface, doesn’t he plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put in the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in its place?
This verse lists dill among other crops to show God’s intentional order in creation, establishing that every element has its proper place.
-
Isaiah 28:27
For the dill isn’t threshed with a sharp instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.
Here the word highlights the specific method of harvest, contrasting the gentle beating of dill with the harsh threshing of grain to illustrate God’s mercy.