קֶ֫שֶׁר (qe.sher)
qe.sher
conspiracy
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qesher describes a secret agreement made to overthrow established authority. In the biblical narrative, this term appears in the darkest chapters of Israel’s history, where loyalty is replaced by betrayal and political ambition overrides divine law. It captures the tension between those who seek power through hidden means and the God who sees what is done in the dark.
For a believer today, this word serves as a sobering reminder that integrity matters more than influence. When we face pressure to compromise our values for personal gain or social acceptance, qesher reminds us that secret alliances built on deception cannot stand against God’s truth. We are called to walk in the light, trusting that God defends the righteous even when others plot in shadows.
Isaiah 8:12 offers a gentle correction to those who fear human schemes too much. The prophet urges us not to label every opposition as a divine conspiracy or let fear dictate our response. Instead, we can rest in the assurance that God is sovereign over all plots, whether political or personal. Our peace comes not from avoiding conflict, but from anchoring our hearts in His unchanging character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- treason5×
- a conspiracy4×
- conspiracy2×
- and/ conspiracy/ his2×
- the/ conspiracy1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קָֽשֶׁר\׃\ \ס2×
- קֶ֥שֶׁר2×
- קֶ֛שֶׁר2×
- וְ/קִשְׁר֖/וֹ2×
- קָ֑שֶׁר1×
- קֶ֜שֶׁר1×
- קֶ֙שֶׁר֙1×
- קֶ֗שֶׁר1×
- קֶ֔שֶׁר1×
- הַ/קֶּ֙שֶׁר֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 15:12
Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.
This verse highlights how quickly public support can be mobilized for a secret rebellion against God’s anointed king.
-
Isaiah 8:12
“Don’t call a conspiracy all that this people call a conspiracy. Don’t fear their threats or be terrorized.
Here the word is used instructively, warning believers not to elevate human threats into spiritual catastrophes.
-
Jeremiah 11:9
Yahweh said to me, “A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
The prophet identifies a widespread breakdown of covenant loyalty among Judah’s leaders as a foundational qesher.
-
II Kings 17:4
The king of Assyria discovered a conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria seized him, and bound him in prison.
This occurrence shows how political maneuvering, like Hoshea’s secret dealings with Egypt, leads to national consequences.