Smith's Bible Dictionary
K
Kabze-el — Kushaiah
Kabze-el
Kab’ze-el (gathered by God), one of the “cities” of the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:21, the native place of the great hero Benaiah ben-Jehoiada. 2 Samuel 23:20; 1 Chronicles 11:22. After the captivity it was reinhabited by the Jews, and appears as Jekabzeel.
Kadesh Kadesh-barne-a
Ka’desh, Ka’desh-bar’ne-a. (Kadesh means holy; it is the same word as the Arabic name of Jerusalem, el-Khuds. Barnea means desert of wandering.) This place, the scene of Miriam’s death, was the farthest point which the Israelites reached in their direct road to Canaan; it was also that whence the spies were sent, and where, on their return, the people broke out into murmuring, upon which their strictly penal term of wandering began. Numbers 13:3, Numbers 13:26; Numbers 14:29-33; Numbers 20:1; Deuteronomy 2:14. It is probable that the term “Kadesh,” though applied to signify a “city,” yet had also a wider application to a region in which Kadesh-meribah certainly, and Kadesh-barnea probably, indicates a precise spot. In Genesis 14:7, Kadesh is identified with En-mishpat, the “fountain of judgment.” It has been supposed, from Numbers 13:21, Numbers 13:26 and Numbers 20, that there were two places of the name of Kadesh, one in the wilderness of Paran and the other in that of Zin; but it is more probable that only one place is meant, and that Zin is but a part of the great desert of Paran. (There has been much doubt as to the exact site of Kadesh; but Rev. H. Clay Trumbull of Philadelphia, visiting the spot in 1881, succeeded in rendering almost certain that the site of Kadesh is Ain Kadis (spelled also Gadis and Quadis); “the very same name, letter for letter in Arabic and Hebrew, with the scriptural fountain of Kadesh—the ‘holy fountain,’ as the name means—which gushed forth when Moses smote the rock.” It lies 40 miles south of Beersheba and 165 northeast of Horeb, immediately below the southern border of Palestine. It was discovered in 1842 by the Rev. J. Rowlands of Queen’s College, Cambridge, England, whose discovery was endorsed by the great German geographer Ritter, by E. S. Palmer in his “Desert of the Exodus,” and by the “Imperial Bible Dictionary.” Dr. Trumbull thus describes it:—“It is an extensive oasis, a series of wells, the water of which flows out from under such an overhanging cliff as is mentioned in the Bible story; and it opens into a vast plain or wadi large enough to have furnished a camping-ground for the whole host of Israel. Extensive primitive ruins are on the hills near it. The plain or wadi, also called Quadis, is shut in by surrounding hills so as to make it a most desirable position for such a people as the Israelites on the borders of hostile territory—such a position as leaders like Moses and Joshua would have been likely to select.” “It was carpeted with grass and flowers. Fig trees laden with fruit were against its limestone hillsides. Shrubs in richness and variety abounded. Standing out from the mountain range at the northward of the beautiful oasis amphitheatre was the ‘large single mass or small hill of solid rock’ which Rowlands looked at as the cliff (sela) smitten by Moses to cause it to ‘give forth its water’ when its flowing had ceased. From beneath this cliff came the abundant stream. A well, walled up with time-worm limestone blocks, was the first receptacle of the water. Not far from this was a second well similarly walled, supplied from the same source. Around both these wells were ancient watering-troughs of limestone. Several pools, not walled up, were also supplied from the stream. The water was clear and sweet and abundant. Two of the pools were ample for bathing.”—Ed.)
Kadmi-el
Kad’mi-el (before God), one of the Levites who with his family returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:40; Nehemiah 7:43. He and his house are mentioned in history on three occasions—Ezra 3:9; Nehemiah 9:4, Nehemiah 9:5; Nehemiah 10:9. (b.c. 535–410.)
Kadmonites
Kad’monites (Orientals), The, a people named in Genesis 15:19 only; one of the nations who at that time occupied the land (Canaan) promised to the descendants of Abram. The name is probably a synonym for the Bene-Kedem—the “children of the East.”
Kalla-i
Kal’la-i (swift servant of Jehovah), a priest in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua. He represented the family of Sallai. Nehemiah 12:20. (b.c. after 536.)
Kanah
Ka’nah (a place of reeds).
1. One of the places which formed the landmarks of the boundary of Asher; apparently next to Zidon-rabbah, or “great Zidon.” Joshua 19:28.
2. The river, a stream falling into the Mediterranean, which formed the division between the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh, the former on the south, the latter on the north. Joshua 16:8; Joshua 17:9.
Kareah
Kare’ah (bald), the father of Johanan and Jonathan, who supported Gedaliah’s authority and avenged his murder. Jeremiah 40:8, Jeremiah 40:13, Jeremiah 40:15, Jeremiah 40:16; Jeremiah 41:11, Jeremiah 41:13, Jeremiah 41:14, Jeremiah 41:16; Jeremiah 42:1, Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 43:2, Jeremiah 43:4, Jeremiah 43:5. (b.c. before 588.)
Karkaa
Karka’a, or Kar’ka-a (foundation), one of the landmarks on the south boundary of the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:3. Its site is unknown.
Karkor
Kar’kor (foundation), the place in which Zebah and Zalmunna were again routed by Gideon, Judges 8:10, must have been on the east of Jordan.
Kartah
Kar’tah (city), a town of Zebulun, allotted to the Merarite Levites. Joshua 21:34.
Kartan
Kar’tan (double city), a city of Naphtali, allotted to the Gershonite Levites. Joshua 21:32. In the parallel list of 1 Chronicles 6 the name appears, ver. 1 Chronicles 6:76, in the more expanded form of Kirjathaim.
Kattath
Kat’tath (small), one of the cities of the tribe of Zebulun. Joshua 19:15.
Kedar
Ke’dar (dark-skinned), the second in order of the sons of Ishmael, Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:29, and the name of a great tribe of Arabs settled on the northwest of the peninsula and on the confines of Palestine. The “glory of Kedar” is recorded by the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 21:13-17, in the burden upon Arabia; and its importance may also be inferred from the “princes of Kedar” mentioned by Ezekiel, Ezekiel 27:21, as well as the pastoral character of the tribe. They appear also to have been, like the wandering tribes of the present day, “archers” and “mighty men.” Isaiah 21:17; comp. Psalm 120:5. That they also settled in villages or towns we find from Isaiah. Isaiah 42:11. The tribe seems to have been one of the most conspicuous of all the Ishmaelite tribes, and hence the rabbins call the Arabians universally by this name.
Kedemah
Ked’emah (eastward), the youngest of the sons of Ishmael. Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 1:31.
Kedemoth
Ked’emoth (beginnings), one of the towns in the district east of the Dead Sea allotted to the tribe of Reuben, Joshua 13:18; given to the Merarite Levites. Joshua 21:37; 1 Chronicles 6:79. It possibly conferred its name on the “wilderness,” or uncultivated pasture land, “of Kedemoth.” Numbers 21:23; Deuteronomy 2:26, Deuteronomy 2:27, etc.
Kedesh
Ke’desh (a sanctuary).
1. In the extreme south of Judah, Joshua 15:23; same as Kadesh and Kadesh-barnea.
2. A city of Issachar, allotted to the Gershonite Levites. 1 Chronicles 6:72. The Kedesh mentioned among the cities whose kings were slain by Joshua, Joshua 12:22, in company with Megiddo and Jokneam of Carmel, would seem to have been this city of Issachar.
3. Kedesh; also Kedesh in Galilee; and once, Judges 4:6, Kedesh-naphtali, one of the fortified cities of the tribe of Naphtali, named between Hazor and Edrei, Joshua 19:37; appointed as a city of refuge, and allotted with its “suburbs” to the Gershonite Levites. Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:32; 1 Chronicles 6:76. It was the residence of Barak, Judges 4:6, and there he and Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali before the conflict, being probably, as its name implies, a “holy place” of great antiquity. It was taken by Tiglath-pileser in the reign of Pekah. 2 Kings 15:29. It is identified with the village Kades, which lies four miles to the northwest of the upper part of the Sea of Merom.
Kedron
Ked’ron, properly Kidron. [KIDRON.]
Kefr Kenna
Kefr Kenna. [See CANA.]
Kehelathah
Kehela’thah (assembly), a desert encampment of the Israelites, Numbers 33:22, of which nothing is known.
Keilah
Kei’lah (fortress), a city of the Shefelah, or lowland district of Judah. Joshua 15:44. Its main interest consists in its connection with David. 1 Samuel 23:7-13. It is represented by Kila, a site with ruins, on the lower road from Beit Jibrin to Hebron.
Keilah the Garmite
Kei’lah the Garmite, apparently a descendant of the great Caleb. 1 Chronicles 4:19. There is no apparent connection with the town Keilah.
Kelaiah
Kela’iah (swift messenger of Jehovah) = Kelita. Ezra 10:23.
Kelita
Kel’ita (assembly), one of the Levites who returned with Ezra. Ezra 10:23. He assisted in expounding the law, Nehemiah 8:7, and signed the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:10. (b.c. 459–410.)
Kemuel
Kem’uel (congregation of God).
1. The son of Nahor by Mileah, and father of Aram. Genesis 22:21. (b.c. 1925.)
2. The son of Shiptan, and prince of the tribe of Ephraim; one of the twelve men appointed by Moses to divide the land of Canaan. Numbers 34:24.
3. A Levite, father of Hashabiah, prince of the tribe in the reign of David. 1 Chronicles 27:17. (b.c. 1014.)
Kenan
Ke’nan (possession) = Cainan, the son of Enos. 1 Chronicles 1:2.
Kenath
Ke’nath (possession), one of the cities on the east of Jordan, with its “daughter-towns” (Authorized Version “villages”) taken possession of by a certain Nobah, who then called it by his own name. Numbers 32:42.
Kenaz
Ke’naz (hunting).
1. Son of Eliphaz the son of Esau. He was one of the dukes of Edom. Genesis 36:15, Genesis 36:42; 1 Chronicles 1:53.
2. One of the same family, a grandson of Caleb, according to 1 Chronicles 4:15 (where see margin).
Kenezite
Ken’ezite, or Ken’izzite (descendant of Kenaz), Genesis 15:19, an Edomitish tribe. Numbers 32:12; Joshua 14:6, Joshua 14:14.
Kenite The
Ken’ite, The, and Ken’ites (smiths), The, inhabited the rocky and desert region between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai, east of the Gulf of Akabah. They were a branch of the larger nation of Midian—from the fact that Jethro, who in Exodus (see Exodus 2:16; Exodus 4:19, etc.) is represented as dwelling in the land of Midian, and as priest or prince of that nation, is in Judges (Judges 1:16; Judges 4:11) as distinctly said to have been a Kenite. The important services rendered by the sheikh of the Kenites to Moses during a time of great pressure and difficulty were rewarded by the latter with a promise of firm friendship between the two peoples. They seem to have accompanied the Hebrews during their wanderings, Numbers 24:21, Numbers 24:22; Judges 1:16; comp. 2 Chronicles 28:15; but, the wanderings of Israel over, they forsook the neighborhood of the towns and betook themselves to freer air—to “the wilderness of Judah, which is to the south of Arad.” Judges 1:16. But one of the sheikhs of the tribe, Heber by name, had wandered north instead of south. Judges 4:11. The most remarkable development of this people is to be found in the sect or family of the Rechabites.
Kenizzite
Ken’izzite. Genesis 15:19. [KENEZITE.]
Keren-happuch
Ke’ren-hap’puch (the horn of beauty), the youngest of the daughters of Job, born to him during the period of his reviving prosperity. Job 42:14.
Kerioth
Ke’rioth (cities).
1. A name which occurs among the lists of the towns in the southern district of Judah. Joshua 15:25. Supposed by some to have been the birthplace of Judas Iscariot.
2. A city of Moab, named by Jeremiah only. Jeremiah 48:24.
Keros
Ke’ros (curved), one of the Nethinim, whose descendants returned with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:44; Nehemiah 7:47.
Kettle
Kettle, a vessel for culinary or sacrificial purposes. 1 Samuel 2:14. The Hebrew word is also rendered “basket” in Jeremiah 24:2, “caldron” in 2 Chronicles 35:13, and “pot” in Job 41:20.
Keturah
Ketu’rah (incense), the wife of Abraham after the death of Sarah. Genesis 25:1; 1 Chronicles 1:32. (b.c. 1860.)
Key
Key. The key of a native Oriental lock is a piece of wood, from seven inches to two feet in length, fitted with wires or short nails, which, being inserted laterally into the hollow bolt which serves as a lock, raises other pins within the staple so as to allow the bolt to be drawn back. (Keys were sometimes of bronze or iron, and so large that one was as much as a man could carry. They are used in Scripture as a symbol of authority and power. Giving keys to a person signifies the intrusting of him with an important charge. Matthew 16:19. In England in modern times certain officers of the government receive, at their induction into office, a golden key.—Ed.)
Egyptian Iron Key.
Kezia
Kezi’a (cassia), the second of the daughters of Job born to him after his recovery. Job 42:14. (b.c. 1950.)
Keziz
Ke’ziz (cut off), The valley of, one of the “cities” of Benjamin, Joshua 18:21, and the eastern border of the tribe.
Kibroth-hatta-avah
Kib’roth-hatta-avah, i.e., as in the margin, the graves of lust, a station of the Israelites in the wilderness, where, growing tired of manna and desiring flesh, they murmured, and God sent them quails in great abundance, but smote great numbers of them with a plague and they died. It is about three days journey from Sinai, and near the Gulf of Akabah and the Wady el Hudherah (Hazeroth.)
Kibzaim
Kibza’im (two heaps), a city of Mount Ephraim, given up with its “suburbs” to the Kohathite Levites. Joshua 21:22. In the parallel list of 1 Chronicles 6 Jokmeam is substituted for Kibzaim. ver. 1 Chronicles 6:68.
Kid
Kid. [GOAT.]
Kidron
Kid’ron, or Ked’ron (turbid), The brook, a torrent or valley, not a “brook,” or, as in the margin of Revised Version, “ravine”; Gr. winter torrent. It was close to Jerusalem, between the city and the Mount of Olives. It is now commonly known as the “valley of Jehoshaphat.” The channel of the valley of Jehoshaphat is nothing more than the dry bed of a wintry torrent, bearing marks of being occasionally swept over by a large volume of water. It was crossed by David in his flight, 2 Samuel 15:23, comp. 2 Samuel 15:30, and by our Lord on his way to Gethsemane. John 18:1; comp. Mark 14:26; Luke 22:39. The distinguishing peculiarity of the Kidron valley—mentioned in the Old Testament—is the impurity which appears to have been ascribed to it. In the time of Josiah it was the common cemetery of the city. 2 Kings 23:6; comp. Jeremiah 26:23.
View of Kedron.
Kinah
Ki’nah (lamentation), a city of Judah, on the extreme south boundary of the tribe, next to Edom. Joshua 15:22.
Kine
Kine, the plural of cow. [See BULL.]
King
King, “a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe, or country.”—Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church.
The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, b.c. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. 1 Samuel 11:1; 1 Samuel 12:12. The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor unless they placed themselves under the sway of a king, like surrounding nations. The original idea of a Hebrew king was twofold: first, that he should lead the people to battle in time of war; and, second, that he should execute judgment and justice to them in war and in peace. 1 Samuel 8:20. In both respects the desired end was attained. Besides being commander-in-chief of the army, supreme judge, and absolute master, as it were, of the lives of his subjects, the king exercised the power of imposing taxes on them, and of exacting from them personal service and labor. In addition to these earthly powers, the king of Israel had a more awful claim to respect and obedience. He was the vicegerent of Jehovah, 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:13, and as it were his son, if just and holy. 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:6, Psalm 2:7; Psalm 89:26, Psalm 89:27. He had been set apart as a consecrated ruler. Upon his head had been poured the holy anointing oil, which had hitherto been reserved exclusively for the priests of Jehovah. He had become, in fact, emphatically “the Lord’s anointed.” He had a court of Oriental magnificence. The king was dressed in royal robes, 1 Kings 22:10; 2 Chronicles 18:9; his insignia were, a crown or diadem of pure gold, or perhaps radiant with precious gems, 2 Samuel 1:10; 2 Samuel 12:30; 2 Kings 11:12; Psalm 21:3, and a royal sceptre. Those who approached him did him obeisance, bowing down and touching the ground with their foreheads, 1 Samuel 24:8; 2 Samuel 19:24; and this was done even by a king’s wife, the mother of Solomon. 1 Kings 1:16. His officers and subjects called themselves his servants or slaves. He had a large harem, which was guarded by eunuchs. The law of succession to the throne is somewhat obscure, but it seems most probable that the king during his lifetime named his successor. At the same time, if no partiality for a favorite wife or son intervened, there would always be a natural bias of affection in favor of the eldest son.
Kings
Kings of Judah and Israel. For the list see table at the end of this volume.
Kings First and Second Books of
Kings, First and Second Books of, originally only one book in the Hebrew canon, form in the LXX and the Vulgate the third and fourth books of Kings (the books of Samuel being the first and second). It must be remembered that the division between the books of Kings and Samuel is equally artificial, and that in point of fact the historical books commencing with Judges and ending with 2 Kings present the appearance of one work, giving a continuous history of Israel from the time of Joshua to the death of Jehoiachin. The books of Kings contain the history from David’s death and Solomon’s accession to the destruction of the kingdom of Judah and the desolation of Jerusalem, with a supplemental notice of an event that occurred after an interval of twenty-six years—viz., the liberation of Jehoiachin from his prison at Babylon—and a still further extension to Jehoiachin’s death, the time of which is not known, but which was probably not long after his liberation. The history therefore comprehends the whole time of the Israelitish monarchy, exclusive of the reigns of Saul and David. As regards the affairs of foreign nations and the relation of Israel to them, the historical notices in these books, though in the earlier times scanty, are most valuable, and in striking accord with the latest additions to our knowledge of contemporary profane history. A most important aid to a right understanding of the history in these books, and to the filling up of its outline, is to be found in the prophets, and especially in Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Time when written.—They were undoubtedly written during the period of the captivity, probably after the twenty-sixth year. Authorship.—As regards the authorship of the books, but little difficulty presents itself. The Jewish tradition which ascribes them to Jeremiah is borne out by the strongest internal evidence, in addition to that of the language. Sources of information.—There was a regular series of state annals for both the kingdom of Judah and that of Israel, which embraced the whole time comprehended in the books of Kings, or at least to the end of the reign of Jehoiakim. 2 Kings 24:5. These annals are constantly cited by name as “the book of the acts of Solomon,” 1 Kings 11:41; and after Solomon “the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah” or “Israel,” e.g., 1 Kings 14:29; 1 Kings 15:7; 1 Kings 16:5, 1 Kings 16:14, 1 Kings 16:20; 2 Kings 10:34; 2 Kings 24:5, etc.; and it is manifest that the author of Kings had them both before him while he drew up his history, in which the reigns of the two kingdoms are harmonized and these annals constantly appealed to. But in addition to these national annals, there were also extant, at the time that the books of Kings were compiled, separate works of the several prophets who had lived in Judah and Israel. Authority.—Their canonical authority having never been disputed, it is needless to bring forward the testimonies to their authenticity which may be found in Josephus, Eusebius, Jerome, Augustine, etc. They are reckoned among the prophets, in the threefold division of the Holy Scriptures; a position in accordance with the supposition that they were compiled by Jeremiah, and contain the narratives of the different prophets in succession. They are frequently cited by our Lord and by the apostles.
Kir
Kir (fortress) is mentioned by Amos, ch. Amos 9:7, as the land from which the Syrians (Aramæans) were once “brought up”; i.e., apparently as the country where they had dwelt before migrating to the region north of Palestine. (A difference of opinion exists in regard to the position of Kir, since some suppose it to be identical with Carma, a city of Media, in the south, on the river Mardus; others place it in Armenia, on the river Kar.—Ed.)
Kir-haraseth
Kir-har’aseth (brick fortress), 2 Kings 3:25; Kir-ha’resh, Isaiah 16:11; Kir-har’eseth, Isaiah 16:7; Kir-he’-res. Jeremiah 48:31, Jeremiah 48:36. These four names are all applied to one place, probably Kir of Moab, which see.
Kiriah
Kir’iah, apparently an ancient or archaic word, meaning a city or town. It may be compared to the word “burg” or “bury” in our own language. Closely related to Kiriah is Kereth, apparently a Phœnician form, which occurs occasionally. Job 29:7; Proverbs 8:3. As a proper name it appears in the Bible under the forms of Kerioth, Kartah, Kartan, besides those immediately following.
Kiriathaim
Kiriatha’im. [KIRJATHAIM.]
Kirioth
Kir’ioth (two cities), a place in Moab the palaces of which were threatened by Amos with destruction by fire, Amos 2:2; unless indeed the word means simply “the cities,” which is probably the case also in Jeremiah 48:4.
Kirjath
Kir’jath (a city), the last of the cities enumerated as belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:28, probably identical with the better-known place Kirjath-jearim.
Kirjathaim
Kirjatha’im (the two cities).
1. On the east of the Jordan, one of the places which were taken possession of and rebuilt by the Reubenites, and had fresh names conferred on them, Numbers 32:37, and see Numbers 32:38, the first and last of which are known with some tolerable degree of certainty. Joshua 12:19. It existed in the time of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 48:1, Jeremiah 48:23, and Ezekiel. Ezekiel 25:9. In the three passages named the Authorized Version gives the name Kiriathaim. By Eusebius it appears to have been well known. He describes it as a village entirely of Christians, ten miles west of Medeba, “close to the Baris.”
2. A town in Naphtali not mentioned in the original list of the possession allotted to the tribe, see Joshua 19:32-39, but inserted in the list of cities given to the Gershonite Levites in 1 Chronicles 6:76, in place of Kartan in the parallel catalogue, Kartan being probably only a contraction thereof.
Kirjath-arba
Kir’jath-ar’ba (the city of Arba), an early name of the city which after the conquest is generally known as Hebron. Joshua 14:15; Judges 1:10. The identity of Kirjath-arba with Hebron is constantly asserted. Genesis 23:2; Genesis 35:27; Joshua 14:15; Joshua 15:13, Joshua 15:54; Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:11.
Kirjath-arim
Kir’jath-a’rim (city of forests), an abbreviated form of the name Kirjath-jearim, which occurs only in Ezra 2:25.
Kirjath-baal
Kir’jath-ba’al. [KIRJATH-JEARIM.]
Kirjath-huzoth
Kir’jath-hu’zoth (city of streets), a place to which Balak accompanied Balaam immediately after his arrival in Moab, Numbers 22:39, and which is no where else mentioned. It appears to have lain between the Arnon (Wady Mojeb) and Bamoth-baal. Comp. vs. Numbers 22:36 and Numbers 22:41.
Kirjath-jearim
Kir’jath-je’arim (the city of forests), first mentioned as one of the four cities of the Gibeonites, Joshua 9:17; it next occurs as one of the landmarks of the northern boundary of Judah, ch. Joshua 15:9, and as the point at which the western and southern boundaries of Benjamin coincided, ch. Joshua 18:15; and in the last two passages we find that it bore another, perhaps earlier, name—that of the great Canaanite deity Baal, namely Baalah and Kirjath-baal. At this place the ark remained for twenty years. 1 Samuel 7:2. At the close of that time Kirjath-jearim lost its sacred treasure, on its removal by David to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 1 Chronicles 13:5, 1 Chronicles 13:6; 2 Chronicles 1:4; 2 Samuel 6:2, etc. To Eusebius and Jerome it appears to have been well known. They describe it as a village at the ninth mile between Jerusalem and Diospolis (Lydda). These requirements are exactly fulfilled in the small modern village of Kuriet-el-Enab—now usually known as Abû Gosh, from the robber chief whose headquarters it was—on the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
Kirjath-sannah
Kir’jath-san’nah (city of books). [DEBIR.]
Kirjath-sepher
Kir’jath-se’pher (city of books). Joshua 15:15, Joshua 15:16; Judges 1:11, Judges 1:12. [DEBIR.]
Kir of Moab
Kir of Moab (fortress of Moab), one of the two chief strongholds of Moab, the other being Ar of Moab. The name occurs only in Isaiah 15:1, though the place is probably referred to under the names of Kir-heres, Kir-haraseth, etc. It is almost identical with the name Kerak, by which the site of an important city in a high and very strong position at the southeast of the Dead Sea is known at this day. Its situation is truly remarkable. It is built upon the top of a steep hill, surrounded by a deep and narrow valley, which again is completely enclosed by mountains rising higher than the town and overlooking it on all sides.
Kish
Kish (a bow).
1. The father of Saul; a Benjamite of the family of Matri. (b.c. 1095.)
2. Son of Jehiel and uncle to the preceding. 1 Chronicles 9:36.
3. A Benjamite, great-grandfather of Mordecai. Esther 2:5.
4. A Merarite of the house of Mahli, of the tribe of Levi. 1 Chronicles 23:21, 1 Chronicles 23:22; 1 Chronicles 24:28, 1 Chronicles 24:29.
Kishi
Kish’i (bow of Jehovah), a Merarite, and father or ancestor of Ethan the minstrel. 1 Chronicles 6:44.
Kishion
Kish’ion (hardness), one of the towns on the boundary of the tribe of Issachar, Joshua 19:20, which with its suburbs was allotted to the Gershonite Levites. Joshua 21:28; Authorized Version Kishon.
Kishon
Ki’shon (winding), The river, a torrent or winter stream of central Palestine, the scene of two of the grandest achievements of Israelitish history—the defeat of Sisera, Judges 4, and the destruction of the prophets of Baal by Elijah. 1 Kings 18:40. The Nahr Mukûtta, the modern representative of the Kishon, is the drain by which the waters of the plain of Esdraelon and of the mountains which enclose that plain find their way through the plain of Acre to the Mediterranean. The part of the Kishon at which the prophets of Baal were slaughtered by Elijah was doubtless close below the spot on Carmel where the sacrifice had taken place.
Kison
Ki’son (winding), an inaccurate mode of representing the name Kishon. Psalm 83:9.
Kiss
Kiss. Kissing the lips by way of affectionate salutation was customary among near relatives of both sexes, in both patriarchal and later times. Genesis 29:11; Song of Solomon 8:1. Between individuals of the same sex, and in a limited degree between those of different sexes, the kiss on the cheek as a mark of respect or an act of salutation has at all times been customary in the East, and can hardly be said to be extinct even in Europe. In the Christian Church the kiss of charity was practiced not only as a friendly salutation, but as an act symbolical of love and Christian brotherhood. Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14. It was embodied in the earlier Christian offices, and has been continued in some of those now in use. Among the Arabs the women and children kiss the beards of their husbands or fathers. The superior returns the salute by a kiss on the forehead. In Egypt an inferior kisses the hand of a superior, generally on the back, but sometimes, as a special favor, on the palm also. To testify abject submission, and in asking favors, the feet are often kissed instead of the hand. The written decrees of a sovereign are kissed in token of respect; even the ground is sometimes kissed by Orientals in the fullness of their submission. Genesis 41:40; 1 Samuel 24:8; Psalm 72:9, etc. Kissing is spoken of in Scripture as a mark of respect or adoration to idols. 1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2.
Kite
Kite (Heb. ayyâh), a rapacious and keen-sighted bird of prey belonging to the hawk family. The Hebrew word thus rendered occurs in three passages—Leviticus 11:14; Deuteronomy 14:13; Job 28:7. In the two former it is translated “kite” in the Authorized Version, in the latter “vulture.” It is enumerated among the twenty names of birds mentioned in Deuteronomy 14 which were considered unclean by the Mosaic law and forbidden to be used as food by the Israelites.
Kithlish
Kith’lish (man’s wall), one of the towns of Judah, in the Shefelah or lowland. Joshua 15:40.
Kitron
Kit’ron (knotty), one of the towns from which Zebulun did not expel the Canaanites. Judges 1:30. In the Talmud it is identified with “Zippori,” i.e., Sepphoris, now Seffurieh.
Kittim
Kit’tim. Twice written in the Authorized Version for Chittim. Genesis 10:4; 1 Chronicles 1:7.
Kneading-troughs
Kneading-troughs. [BREAD.]
Knife
Knife.
1. The knives of the Egyptians, and of other nations in early times, were probably only of hard stone, and the use of the flint or stone knife was sometimes retained for sacred purposes after the introduction of iron and steel. 2. In their meals the Jews, like other Orientals, made little use of knives, but they were required both for slaughtering animals, either for food or sacrifice, and for cutting up the carcass. Leviticus 7:33, Leviticus 7:34; Leviticus 8:15, Leviticus 8:20, Leviticus 8:25; Leviticus 9:13; Numbers 18:18; 1 Samuel 9:24, etc. 3. Smaller knives were in use for paring fruit (Josephus) and for sharpening pens. Jeremiah 36:23. 4. The razor was often used for Nazaritic purposes, for which a special chamber was reserved in the temple. Numbers 6:5, Numbers 6:9, Numbers 6:19; Ezekiel 5:1, etc. 5. The pruning-hooks of Isaiah 18:5 were probably curved knives. 6. The lancets of the priests of Baal were doubtless pointed knives. 1 Kings 18:28.
Knop
Knop, a word employed in the Authorized Version to translate two terms which refer to some architectural or ornamental object, but which have nothing in common.
1. Caphtor.—This occurs in the description of the candlestick of the sacred tent in Exodus 25:31-36 and Exodus 37:17-22. 2. The second term, Peka’im, is found only in 1 Kings 6:18 and 1 Kings 7:24. The word no doubt signifies some globular thing resembling a small gourd or an egg, though as to the character of the ornament we are quite in the dark.
Koa
Ko’a (he-camel) is a word which occurs only in Ezekiel 23:23. It may perhaps have been a city or district of Babylonia; or it may be a common noun, signifying “prince” or “nobleman.”
Kohath
Ko’hath (assembly), second of the three sons of Levi, from whom the three principal divisions of the Levites derived their origin and their name. Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16. In the journeyings of the tabernacle the sons of Kohath (Kohathites) had charge of the most holy portions of the vessels. Numbers 4. Of the personal history of Kohath we know nothing, except that he came down to Egypt with Levi and Jacob, Genesis 46:11, that his sister was Jochebed, Exodus 6:20, and that he lived to the age of 133 years. Exodus 6:18. (b.c. about 1491.)
Kolaiah
Kola’iah (voice of Jehovah).
1. A Benjamite whose descendants settled in Jerusalem after the return from the captivity. Nehemiah 11:7. (b.c. before 536.)
2. The father of Ahab the false prophet, who was burnt by the king of Babylon. Jeremiah 29:21. (b.c. before 594.)
Korah
Ko’rah (baldness).
1. Third son of Esau by Aholibamah. Genesis 36:5, Genesis 36:14, Genesis 36:18; 1 Chronicles 1:35. He was born in Canaan before Esau migrated to Mount Seir, Genesis 36:5-9, and was one of the “dukes” of Edom. (b.c. 1790.)
2. Another Edomitish “duke” of this name, sprung from Eliphaz, Esau’s son by Adah. Genesis 36:16.
3. One of the “sons of Hebron,” in 1 Chronicles 2:43.
4. Son of Izhar the son of Kohath the son of Levi. He was leader of the famous rebellion against his cousins Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, for which he paid the penalty of perishing with his followers by an earthquake and flames of fire. Numbers 16; Numbers 26:9-11. The particular grievance which rankled in the mind of Korah and his company was their exclusion from the office of the priesthood, and their being confined—those among them who were Levites—to the inferior service of the tabernacle. Korah’s position as leader in this rebellion was evidently the result of his personal character, which was that of a bold, haughty and ambitious man. (b.c. 1490.) In the New Testament (Jude 11) Korah is coupled with Cain and Balaam.
Korahite
Kor’ahite, 1 Chronicles 9:19, 1 Chronicles 9:31, Kor’-hite, or Kor’athite, that portion of the Kohathites who were descended from Korah. They were an important branch of the singers, 2 Chronicles 20:19; hence we find eleven psalms (or twelve, if Psalm 43 is included under the same title as Psalm 42) dedicated or assigned to the sons of Korah, viz., Psalm 42, Psalm 44-49, Psalm 84, Psalm 85, Psalm 87, Psalm 88.
Kore
Ko’re (partridge).
1. A Korahite, ancestor of Shallum and Meshelemiah, chief porters in the reign of David. 1 Chronicles 9:19; 1 Chronicles 26:1. (b.c. 1014.)
2. Son of Imnah, a Levite in the reign of Hezekiah. He had charge of the offerings. 2 Chronicles 31:14. (b.c. 726.)
3. In the Authorized Version of 1 Chronicles 26:19, “the sons of Kore” (following the Vulgate Core) should properly be “the sons of the Korhite.”
Koz
Koz (thorn), Ezra 2:61; Nehemiah 3:4, Nehemiah 3:21 = Coz = Hakkoz.
Kushaiah
Kusha’iah (bow of Jehovah), the same as Kish or Kishi, the father of Ethan the Merarite. 1 Chronicles 15:17.