קֹשֶׁט
equity (as evenly weighed), i.e. reality
Definition
The Hebrew word קֹשֶׁט (qôsheṭ) refers to a standard of truth and reliability, specifically the quality of being balanced, accurate, and trustworthy. It describes something that has been 'weighed' or measured and found to be correct, thus conveying the ideas of equity, truth, and reality. In its two biblical occurrences, it is used to describe the 'words of truth' that one can reliably trust and teach to others (Proverbs 22:21) and is poetically paired with God's banner, representing His faithful standard (Psalm 60:4).
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both in poetic or wisdom literature. In Psalm 60:4, it is used metaphorically, describing the banner God gives to those who fear Him as a standard of 'truth' (qôsheṭ). In Proverbs 22:21, it is used more concretely in a wisdom context, referring to the 'words of truth' (דִּבְרֵי אֱמֶת) that are reliable and trustworthy for answering correctly. Both uses emphasize a dependable, accurate standard.
Etymology
The noun קֹשֶׁט derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to balance' or 'to weigh accurately.' This root concept directly informs its meaning, picturing something that has been measured on a scale and found to be perfectly even and correct. The related Aramaic word קְשֹׁט (qᵉshôṭ) also means 'truth' or 'faithfulness,' showing a shared semantic field in the Semitic languages around the idea of verified accuracy.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects the concept of truth with the imagery of a balanced scale, pointing to God's character as the ultimate standard of equity and reality. Understanding qôsheṭ enriches the reading of Psalm 60:4, where God's banner of 'truth' is not just about factual correctness but about His unwavering, reliable faithfulness in battle and covenant. It grounds the 'words of truth' in Proverbs 22:21 in the character of God, the source of all reliable wisdom.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the act of weighing on scales was a fundamental practice in commerce and justice, symbolizing fairness, accuracy, and the determination of true value. A 'balanced' scale was the ideal. This cultural practice provides the concrete background for qôsheṭ, elevating the abstract idea of 'truth' to something that is measurable, verifiable, and equitable, much like a just weight in the marketplace.
אֱמֶת (ʾemet, H571) — a more common and broad term for truth, faithfulness, and reliability. צֶדֶק (tṣedeq, H6664) — emphasizes righteousness and justice, often in a legal or moral sense. מִשְׁפָּט (mishpāṭ, H4941) — focuses on judgment, justice, and a legal ordinance or custom.
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 →