קְצָת

קְצָת

a termination (literally or figuratively); also (by implication) a portion; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) afte…

Definition

The Hebrew noun קְצָת (qᵉtsâth) fundamentally means 'a part' or 'a portion' of a whole. In its five biblical occurrences, it consistently refers to a designated or measured share, such as a portion of the people (Nehemiah 7:70) or a portion of the king's food (Daniel 1:5). It can also imply a 'termination' or 'end,' derived from its root meaning, though this sense is less prominent in its actual usage. The word functions to specify a subset or a limited quantity taken from a larger group or supply.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the post-exilic books of Nehemiah and Daniel. In Nehemiah 7:70, it refers to a 'part' of the people who contributed to the temple work. In Daniel, it is used four times (Daniel 1:2, 1:5, 1:15, 1:18) to describe a 'portion' of the vessels taken to Babylon and, more significantly, the daily 'portion' of the king's food and wine allotted to Daniel and his friends. Its usage is consistently tied to the idea of a measured allocation or a selected subset.

Etymology

קְצָת is a noun derived from the root קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7096), which means 'to cut off' or 'to determine an end.' This root gives the noun its core ideas of a 'termination' and, by extension, a 'portion' that has been cut off or apportioned from a whole. Related words include קֵץ (qêts, H7093), meaning 'end.'

Semantic Range

While not a theologically heavy term, קְצָת enriches our reading by highlighting themes of divine provision and distinction. In Daniel, the 'portion' of food becomes a test of faithfulness, where rejecting the king's portion was an act of covenant loyalty to God (Daniel 1:8). It illustrates how God honors those who are set apart, even in a foreign land, and provides for them. Understanding this 'portion' as a deliberate allotment underscores the concept of God's specific care and the call to holy separation. In the context of Daniel, the king's 'portion' (qᵉtsâth) was more than just food; it was a daily ration from the royal table, symbolizing patronage, shared identity, and dependence on the Babylonian king. To refuse it was a profound cultural and political statement of allegiance to a different sovereign—Yahweh. The word captures the tension between assimilation and maintaining a distinct, God-honoring identity in exile. חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, H2506) — a more common term for 'portion' or 'share,' often of land or inheritance. מְנָת (mᵉnâth, H4490) — a measured 'portion' or ration, often of food. פֶּה (peh, H6310) — can mean 'portion' in the sense of a mouthful or a measure (e.g., Genesis 43:34).

Word Details