כֵּס
Definition
The Hebrew word כֵּס (kêç) appears only once in the Old Testament in Exodus 17:16, where Moses declares, 'A hand upon the throne (כֵּס) of the LORD!' The primary meaning here is 'throne' or 'seat of authority,' specifically referring to God's sovereign rule. This is a contracted or variant form of the more common word for throne, כִּסֵּא (kissê', H3678). Some textual scholars suggest the form in Exodus 17:16 might be a scribal variation or a unique poetic form emphasizing God's enduring kingship and covenant commitment in the context of battle.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in Exodus 17:16. It occurs in the narrative of Israel's battle with Amalek at Rephidim. After the victory, Moses builds an altar and names it 'The LORD is my Banner' (Yahweh-Nissi), and he makes this solemn declaration about the LORD's throne. The context is one of war, covenant, and the proclamation of God's eternal kingship and judgment against His enemies.
Etymology
כֵּס (kêç) is almost universally understood as a shortened or variant form of the common Hebrew noun כִּסֵּא (kissê', H3678), meaning 'throne, seat, chair.' The contraction may be for poetic or rhetorical effect in this single verse. The note in some sources about a possible connection to נֵס (nês, H5251, 'banner, standard') is considered a less likely textual speculation, as the context of Exodus 17:16 clearly points to the concept of a seat of authority.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it directly references the throne of Yahweh. In its singular context, it powerfully connects God's covenant faithfulness (symbolized by the altar name 'Yahweh-Nissi') with His ultimate sovereign authority. The declaration 'a hand upon the throne of the LORD' signifies an oath or a pledge of perpetual warfare from God against the forces, like Amalek, that oppose His people. It underscores that God's rule is actively engaged in the history and protection of Israel.
In the ancient Near East, a throne was the ultimate symbol of a king's power, justice, and authority. To speak of 'the throne of the LORD' was to attribute ultimate kingship to Israel's God, distinguishing Him from the gods of other nations who were often associated with idols or natural forces. The gesture of a 'hand upon the throne' likely symbolized taking a solemn oath or claiming the authority and protection of the king, in this case, Yahweh Himself.
כִּסֵּא (kissê', H3678) — The standard and far more common Hebrew word for 'throne,' used for both human and divine thrones throughout the Old Testament.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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