Brief Overview of Κίς (Strong’s G2797: Kis)

Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words is essential for Biblical studies as it offers insights into the cultural, historical, and theological context of the text. The Greek word Κίς (Kis) is particularly significant because it refers to a notable Biblical character: Kish, the father of King Saul. The use of Κίς in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 13:21, connects the early Christian narrative to the Old Testament, bridging the stories of Israel’s early monarchy with the teachings of the apostles. Exploring the meaning and usage of Κίς deepens our understanding of Biblical genealogies and the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: Κίς, transliterated as Kis [kees].

Etymology: The word Κίς is a transliteration of the Hebrew name קִישׁ (Qish), which appears in the Old Testament. The name is of Hebrew origin and likely means “bow” or “power.”

Part of Speech: Κίς is a proper noun, specifically a masculine noun in Greek. Proper nouns like Κίς are unique in that they refer to a specific person, place, or thing. In Greek, proper nouns can appear in different cases, depending on their function within a sentence, such as the subject (nominative), object (accusative), or possessive (genitive).

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Defining Meanings

1. Kish: The primary meaning of Κίς in the New Testament context is as a proper noun referring to Kish, the father of Saul, who became the first king of Israel. This usage connects the genealogy of Saul to the narratives of the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts.
2. Genealogical Reference: Beyond simply being a personal name, Κίς serves a theological purpose in the New Testament by establishing the Jewish heritage and royal lineage mentioned in early Christian preaching.

Exploring Similar Words

1. Σαούλ (Saoul) [sah-OOL]: Refers to Saul, the son of Kish. While Σαούλ directly references Saul, Κίς identifies his lineage and establishes his heritage as part of Israel’s royal history.
2. Ἰεσσαί (Iessai) [yes-EYE]: Refers to Jesse, the father of David. While Jesse and Kish are both names of significant paternal figures in Israel’s monarchy, Jesse is associated with David, contrasting with Kish’s association with Saul.
3. Δαυίδ (Dauid) [dah-VEED]: Refers to David, the son of Jesse. While Δαυίδ is a name of great importance in Jewish and Christian traditions, Κίς is significant primarily for his role as the father of Saul.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

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Case, Number, Gender:
Κίς, as a proper noun, is masculine and usually appears in the singular form. The morphological breakdown is straightforward:

• Nominative Singular: Κίς (subject)
• Genitive Singular: Κίς (possessive form)
• Dative Singular: Κίς (indirect object)
• Accusative Singular: Κίς (direct object)

Declension: Since Κίς is a transliteration of a Hebrew proper noun, it does not follow the regular declension patterns of Greek nouns. It remains indeclinable in all cases.

For a detailed guide to understanding Greek declensions, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Κίς appears predominantly in genealogical contexts and is primarily understood as the name of Saul’s father. In the New Testament, the name serves to remind readers of Israel’s early monarchy and God’s selection of Saul as king. The usage in Acts 13:21 links the early Christian message to Israel’s history, emphasizing continuity and fulfillment of God’s plans from the Old Testament to the New Testament era. While the term does not carry extensive theological connotations independently, its use in Acts provides a genealogical anchor in the narrative. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

Acts 13:21: “Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish [Κίς], a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.”

1 Samuel 9:1 (Septuagint): “Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish [Κίς], the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

Κίς (Kis), though a simple proper noun, holds significance in Biblical genealogies. The word connects the New Testament audience to Israel’s monarchical history, particularly in the context of God’s interaction with His chosen people. Understanding Κίς enhances our appreciation for how the New Testament writers utilized Old Testament references to convey theological continuity.

Did You Know?

1. The name Κίς is indeclinable in Greek, maintaining the same form in all grammatical cases.
2. Kish is also mentioned several times in the Old Testament, establishing the foundation for Saul’s kingship in Israel.
3. The name Κίς has been interpreted to mean “bow” or “power,” reflecting attributes associated with leadership in ancient Israel.