קְשִׂיטָה
an ingot (as definitely estimated and stamped for a coin)
Definition
The word קְשִׂיטָה (qᵉsîyṭâh) refers to a specific unit of silver, likely an ingot or a weighed piece of silver used as money before the widespread use of minted coins. It represents a standardized weight of precious metal used in significant transactions, such as purchasing land (Genesis 33:19, Joshua 24:32) or as a gift of great value (Job 42:11). The term emphasizes the concept of a definite, measured, and stamped value, functioning as a proto-currency in the ancient Near East. In all its biblical occurrences, it signifies a substantial sum, underscoring the importance and legitimacy of the exchanges it facilitated.
Biblical Usage
This noun appears only three times in the Old Testament, always in narratives involving major property purchases or valuable gifts. In Genesis 33:19, Jacob buys a plot of land near Shechem for one hundred qᵉsîyṭâh. In Joshua 24:32, the bones of Joseph are buried in a plot Jacob had purchased for the same amount, creating a narrative link. Finally, in Job 42:11, Job's family and friends each give him a qᵉsîyṭâh of silver and a gold ring, symbolizing restoration and substantial condolence gifts. Its usage is confined to these foundational historical and wisdom texts.
Etymology
The word derives from an unused Hebrew root probably meaning 'to cut' or 'to weigh out,' suggesting something divided or measured precisely. It is related to the concept of weighing metal for commerce. Cognates may exist in other Semitic languages for units of weight or measurement. The development of meaning moved from the action of weighing to the specific measured object itself—a definite ingot of silver.
Semantic Range
While not a central theological term, the qᵉsîyṭâh is significant in narratives about covenant faithfulness and God's providence. In Genesis and Joshua, its use in land purchases (at Shechem and for Joseph's burial) connects to the promise of the land to Abraham's descendants. In Job, it is part of God's material restoration of his faithful servant. Understanding it as a valuable, standardized unit highlights the solemnity and permanence of these transactions, which undergird key elements of biblical history and God's covenant dealings.
In the pre-coinage economy of the ancient Near East, silver was weighed for large transactions. A qᵉsîyṭâh was a specific weight, likely standardized within a region or trade network, and possibly stamped to verify its value and purity. This differs from modern coinage, which has a face value guaranteed by a government. Its use signifies a major purchase (like land) or a lavish gift, reflecting its high value and the formal nature of the exchange.
כֶּסֶף (keseph, H3701) — the general term for silver or money. שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255) — a more common standard weight/coin. כִּכָּר (kikkār, H3603) — a much larger unit of weight (a talent).
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.
Full methodology & sources →