קִישׁ
Kish, the name of five Israelites
Definition
Kish is a proper name given to five different individuals in the Old Testament, most notably the father of King Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2). The name means 'bow' or 'power,' which may symbolically foreshadow the military leadership of his son. Other men named Kish include a Levite from the family of Merari (1 Chronicles 23:21-22), a Benjamite ancestor of Mordecai (Esther 2:5), and two other minor figures in genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 8:30, 1 Chronicles 8:33). While the name is identical, the biblical text distinguishes these individuals by their lineage and context.
Biblical Usage
The name Kish appears 17 times, primarily in the historical books of 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Its most frequent and significant usage is in reference to Kish, the Benjamite father of King Saul, appearing in narratives about Saul's anointing and reign (e.g., 1 Samuel 9:1, 1 Samuel 10:21). Other occurrences are in genealogical records, establishing family lines for Levites, Benjamites, and the lineage of Esther. The pattern is exclusively as a personal name for male Israelites.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root קוּשׁ (qûsh, H6983), meaning 'to lay a snare' or 'to hunt,' though it is more directly associated with the noun קוֹשׁ (qôsh), meaning 'a bow.' As a name, Kish therefore carries the connotation of 'bow'—a central tool for hunting and warfare—implying strength, skill, or provision.
Semantic Range
Kish, as the father of Israel's first king, is a foundational figure in the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy. Understanding his name's meaning ('bow') can enrich the reading of 1 Samuel 9, where Saul is introduced as a seeker of lost donkeys but is destined for kingship. The 'bow' may subtly contrast with the later failure of Saul's dynasty, which God 'bows' or breaks (2 Samuel 1:22 uses a different word for bow). He represents the ordinary human lineage from which kingship arose, highlighting God's sovereign choice in elevating a family.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaningful attributes or hopes. Naming a son 'Kish' (Bow) likely reflected parental aspirations for strength, skill in hunting (a vital survival activity), or success in battle. It connects the individual to the tools and virtues valued in a tribal, agrarian society. The bow was a symbol of martial power and provision, making it a prestigious name for a father of a king.
Qesheth (קֶשֶׁת, H7198) — The common noun for 'bow,' whereas Kish is a proper name derived from it. None (אַיִן, H369) — A term for 'nothing' or 'none,' used in 1 Samuel 9:4 to describe the donkeys Kish lost, creating a thematic contrast between the name's strength and the situation of loss.
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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