כִּידוֹן
properly, something to strike with, i.e. a dart
Definition
The Hebrew word כִּידוֹן (kîydôwn) refers to a handheld, thrusting or throwing weapon, most accurately translated as a 'javelin' or 'short spear'. It is a specific type of spear, likely lighter and more easily thrown than the heavier חֲנִית (ḥănît, H2595). In military contexts, it denotes a standard infantry weapon used by both Israelite soldiers (Joshua 8:18, 26) and their enemies, like the Philistine giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17:6, 45). In poetic books like Job, it is used metaphorically to describe the terrifying weapons of Leviathan (Job 41:29) and the fierce equipment of a war horse (Job 39:23).
Biblical Usage
כִּידוֹן is used eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical and prophetic books describing warfare. In Joshua, it is the weapon Joshua extends to signal the ambush at Ai (Joshua 8:18, 26). In 1 Samuel, it describes part of Goliath's formidable arsenal (1 Samuel 17:6, 45). The prophets Jeremiah 6:23 and 50:42 use it to depict the terrifying weapons of invading armies from the north. Its two uses in Job are poetic, applying the term to natural and mythical creatures to emphasize their power and danger.
Etymology
The noun כִּידוֹן derives from the root כִּיד (kîyd, H3589), which means 'to strike' or 'deal a blow'. This root connection clearly defines the object's primary function: it is 'something to strike with'. It is a cognate of the Akkadian word 'kīdu', also meaning a pointed weapon or goad, confirming its meaning across ancient Semitic languages. It is considered a lighter, more maneuverable weapon than the standard spear (חֲנִית, H2595).
Semantic Range
While primarily a military term, כִּידוֹן holds theological significance in its depiction of divine warfare and human trust. In the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45), David explicitly rejects the כִּידוֹן and other conventional weapons, declaring his trust is in 'the name of the LORD of hosts.' This contrasts human military power with divine deliverance. Furthermore, when God is described as mustering an army with כִּידוֹן (Jeremiah 50:42), it underscores His sovereign control over nations and history, using even pagan weapons to execute judgment.
In the ancient Near East, the כִּידוֹן was a common, versatile infantry weapon. Unlike a large shield or heavy armor, it was an offensive tool for both hand-to-hand combat and throwing at a distance. Its mention alongside shields, helmets, and coats of mail (1 Samuel 17:6) shows it was part of the standard kit for a well-equipped warrior, especially for champions like Goliath. Understanding it as a javelin helps modern readers visualize the dynamics of biblical battles, where soldiers engaged both at range and in close quarters.
חֲנִית (ḥănît, H2595) — A general term for 'spear' or 'lance', often heavier and used for thrusting; the primary weapon of a soldier. רֹמַח (rōmaḥ, H7420) — Another term for 'spear' or 'javelin', used interchangeably in some contexts but possibly denoting a longer throwing spear.
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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