Lexical Definition

‎קִישׁ‎ Qîysh (keesh) Kish N:N-M-P
from ‎קוֹשׁ‎; a bow

Kish.

1) a Benjamite of the family of Matri, father of king Saul
2) an ancestor of Mordecai
3) son of Gibeon and brother of Abdon, Zur, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth; uncle of Kish the father of king Saul
4) a Merarite Levite, son of Mahli and grandson of Merari the progenitor of the family
5) a Merarite Levite, son of Abdi in the time of king Hezekiah of Judah

See Greek: Κίς

Usage: 8 forms in 15 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
קִ֣ישׁ Kish 1Sam.9.1 • 2Sam.21.14
קִ֜ישׁ Kish 1Sam.9.3
קִ֔ישׁ Kish 1Sam.10.11 • 1Sam.10.21 • 1Chr.8.33 • 1Chr.9.39 • 1Chr.26.28
קִ֑ישׁ Kish 1Chr.12.1
לְקִ֖ישׁ of Kish 1Sam.9.3
וְקִ֧ישׁ and Kish 1Sam.14.51
וְקִ֖ישׁ and Kish 1Chr.8.30 • 1Chr.8.33 • 1Chr.9.39
וְקִ֔ישׁ and Kish 1Chr.9.36

Extended Information

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎קִישׁ‎ proper name, masculine (probably *‎קַיְשְׁ‎ Arabic Aramaic ‎קישׁא‎ NöZMG xi (1896), 167 originally proper name, of deity as Arabic which now only in proper name, of person WeHeid. 2. 67); — K(ε)ις:

1. father of Saul 1Sam 9:1; 1Sam 9:3 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:11; 1Sam 10:21; 1Sam 14:51; 2Sam 21:14; 1Chr 8:30; 1Chr 8:33 (where read ‎אַבְנֵר‎ Be Kau Kit), v1Chr 8:33 = 1Chr 9:36; 1Chr 9:39 (read as above), v1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 12:1; 1Chr 26:28.

2. Levites :
a. 1Chr 23:21; 1Chr 23:22; 1Chr 24:29 (twice in verse).
b. 2Chr 29:12.

3. ancestor of Mordecai Esth 2:5 (Κεισαίου).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book Refs
1 Samuel 9:1 · 9:3 · 10:11 · 10:21 · 14:51
2 Samuel 21:14
1 Chronicles 8:30 · 8:33 · 9:36 · 9:39 · 12:1 · 23:21 · 23:22 · 24:29 · 26:28
2 Chronicles 29:12
Esther 2:5

Profile

Male • Saul's father • Father of Saul, the first king of Israel

Saul's father living at the time of United Monarchy

Kish was a Benjamite, the father of Saul, who was anointed by Samuel as the first king of Israel.

Kish, a Benjamite from the family of Matri, was the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. He is introduced in 1 Samuel 9:1 as a wealthy and influential man. Kish's donkeys went missing, and he sent his son Saul and a servant to search for them (1 Samuel 9:3). This journey led to Saul's meeting with the prophet Samuel, who anointed him as king over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1).

Kish is mentioned several times in the context of Saul's kingship. He was present when Saul was chosen by lot as king at Mizpah (1 Samuel 10:21). Later, when Saul faced a Philistine threat, some people questioned his ability to lead, referring to him as "the son of Kish" (1 Samuel 10:11).

Kish's family background is further elaborated in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:30, 33; 9:36, 39). These passages confirm Kish as the father of Saul and provide details about his ancestors and descendants.

After Saul's death, David honored the remains of Saul and his son Jonathan by burying them in the tomb of Kish at Zela (2 Samuel 21:14). This act demonstrates David's respect for Saul's family and his desire to bring closure to the tragic events surrounding Saul's reign.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, in his speech at Antioch, mentions Kish as the father of Saul when recounting the history of Israel (Acts 13:21).

Throughout the biblical narrative, Kish is primarily known as the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. His life and influence are closely tied to the rise and reign of his son, and his legacy is remembered in the context of Israel's early monarchy.

All entries for Kish: קִישׁ ☩ Κίς