קֶשֶׁת
a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
Definition
The Hebrew word קֶשֶׁת (qesheth) primarily means 'bow,' referring to the weapon used for hunting and warfare, as seen when Ishmael becomes an archer (Genesis 21:20) or when Jacob speaks of God as the 'Mighty One of Jacob' who acts with 'the arms of his hands' made strong by 'the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel' (Genesis 49:24). In a figurative sense, it can symbolize military strength or power, as in Psalm 44:6. Its second, distinct meaning is 'rainbow,' the arched bow in the clouds that God set as a sign of His covenant with all flesh after the flood (Genesis 9:13-16). This dual meaning connects the instrument of war with a symbol of divine peace and promise.
Biblical Usage
The word appears 74 times across 16 Old Testament books, most frequently in historical and prophetic texts. Its primary usage is literal, describing the weapon used by hunters (Genesis 27:3) and warriors (e.g., numerous references in Joshua, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles). The 'rainbow' meaning is exclusive to the Noahic covenant narrative in Genesis 9:13-16. Prophetic books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel use it metaphorically for military power (e.g., Jeremiah 49:35). It is also used in poetic imagery, as in Lamentations 2:4 and 3:12, where God's 'bow' is a symbol of judgment.
Etymology
The noun קֶשֶׁת (qesheth) derives from the root קָשָׁה (qashah, H7185), meaning 'to be hard, severe, or tough.' This connection likely originates from the physical property of the bow—a bent, tensed piece of wood or horn. The root concept of 'bending' or 'tension' is central, linking to the verb קוּשׁ (qush, H6983), 'to lay a snare' or 'to bend.' The development from a root meaning 'hard' or 'to bend' to the object 'bow' is straightforward, reflecting its material and function.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant due to its role in the Noahic covenant, where the rainbow (qesheth) is God's appointed sign of His promise never again to destroy all life by flood (Genesis 9:15). This transforms the symbol from a weapon of war and judgment into a permanent token of divine mercy, faithfulness, and grace. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the intentional contrast: the instrument of human conflict and divine judgment is repurposed as a sign of God's covenantal peace with creation.
In the ancient Near East, the bow was a primary weapon for both hunting and warfare, essential for survival and conquest. A skilled archer was a valued warrior. The rainbow, as a natural phenomenon, was understood in Israel's theology not as a mere scientific refraction of light, but as a specific, intentional sign from Yahweh, setting it apart from potential pagan mythological associations. The cultural understanding of the bow's power makes its symbolic use for strength and its transformation into a covenant sign all the more powerful.
חֵץ (chets, H2671) — This is the 'arrow' shot from the bow, the projectile. תְּלִי (teli, H8518) — A less common term for a quiver or bow-case, the container for the bow and arrows.
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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