קְשִׁי (qe.shi)
qe.shi
stubbornness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qe.shi denotes a state of stubbornness or obstinacy. It appears only once in the Old Testament, within Deuteronomy 9:27. In this context, Moses prays for God to remember His servants and patriarchs, asking Him not to regard the "stubbornness" of the people as a reason for destruction.
The word derives from a root meaning hard or stiff, suggesting an unyielding resistance to change or instruction. It describes a fixed posture of the heart that refuses to bend toward God’s will. The singular usage in Deuteronomy highlights the severity of this trait, framing it not merely as occasional disobedience but as a deep-seated rigidity that threatens the covenant relationship.
Translators typically render qe.shi as "stubbornness" or "obstinacy," capturing the sense of a hardened resolve. The term carries significant theological weight in its single occurrence, illustrating how persistent refusal to yield can endanger the community’s standing before God. It serves as a stark reminder of the danger inherent in spiritual inflexibility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qe.shi describes a heart that has become stiff and unyielding, refusing to bend toward God’s will. It appears only once in Scripture, in Deuteronomy 9:27, where Moses prays for Israel. He asks God not to look at the stubbornness of the people as a reason for destruction. This single occurrence highlights how deep-seated rigidity can threaten our relationship with Him.
For your faith, this word serves as a gentle warning against spiritual inflexibility. It reminds us that persistence in refusing instruction can distance us from God’s grace. Yet, Moses’ prayer also shows that intercession and memory of God’s promises can bridge even the widest gaps of human failure. We are invited to keep our hearts soft and open to His guidance.
When we feel hardened or resistant, we can turn to God in honesty. Acknowledging our stiffness is the first step toward restoration. This word encourages us to seek flexibility, trusting that God’s mercy is greater than our stubbornness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] stubbornness of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְשִׁי֙1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 9:27
Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Don’t look at the stubbornness of this people, nor at their wickedness, nor at their sin,
Moses uses this term to ask God to overlook the people's unyielding resistance, highlighting how intercession can mitigate the consequences of spiritual rigidity.