קֵא
vomit
Definition
The Hebrew noun קֵא (qêʼ) refers to vomit, the substance expelled from the stomach. In the Old Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. The literal sense describes physical vomit, as in the vivid imagery of Isaiah 28:8, where the tables of Jerusalem's leaders are 'full of vomit.' Metaphorically, it represents something utterly repulsive, rejected, and worthless. This figurative meaning is powerfully applied to describe the folly of a fool returning to his folly (Proverbs 26:11) and the disastrous, confused leadership God inflicts upon Egypt (Isaiah 19:14) and Moab (Jeremiah 48:26).
Biblical Usage
This word appears four times in the Old Testament, exclusively in the poetic and prophetic books (Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah). It is never used in simple narrative. Its usage consistently carries a strong negative connotation of revulsion and rejection. In Proverbs 26:11, it illustrates the disgusting nature of a fool's repeated folly. In Isaiah 19:14 and 28:8, it symbolizes the moral and spiritual confusion God brings upon corrupt nations and leaders. In Jeremiah 48:26, it describes Moab's drunken arrogance leading to its humiliation, where it will 'wallow in his vomit.'
Etymology
The noun קֵא (qêʼ) or קִיא (qîʼ) is derived from the root verb קוֹא (qôʼ, H6958), which means 'to vomit, to spew out.' This root conveys the basic action of disgorging. The noun form specifically names the resulting substance. Cognate words exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings related to vomiting or spitting out.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as a stark metaphor for sin, folly, and divine judgment. It portrays sin not merely as a mistake but as something spiritually nauseating and abhorrent to God. The image in Proverbs 26:11 underscores the irrational and repulsive nature of persistent, unrepentant foolishness. In the prophets, it illustrates how God's judgment can reduce proud nations and corrupt institutions to a state of shameful, helpless degradation. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by conveying the visceral disgust and total rejection associated with rebellion against God.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, vomit was universally understood as a symbol of extreme revulsion, uncleanness, and loss of control. The biblical authors use this potent, culturally immediate image to communicate powerful spiritual truths about the consequences of sin and folly. The metaphor would have been instantly and viscerally understood by the original audience.
קִיא (qîʼ, H6892) — A variant spelling of the same word with identical meaning. There are no direct synonyms for 'vomit' in Biblical Hebrew, but related concepts of rejection are expressed by verbs like קוּץ (qûṣ, H6973) — 'to feel a loathing.'
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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