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קִיקָיוֹן

𐤒𐤉𐤒𐤉𐤅𐤍

qîyqâyôwn

H7021 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain; possibly plant, fast-growing vegetation

Definition

A specific type of plant, likely the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), that provided rapid shade in the narrative of Jonah. The term denotes a distinctive, rapidly growing bush or plant, especially noted for its large leaves or its quick provision of shelter. In the biblical context, it refers to the plant appointed by God to shade Jonah.

Semantic Range

castor oil plant, gourd, large-leafed bush, (by extension) any rapidly growing plant that provides shade

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. The word קִיקָיוֹן (qîyqâyôwn) appears to be a loanword, possibly of foreign (non-Semitic) origin, as it does not clearly fit established Hebrew roots. There has been speculation about a connection with the root קיה (k-y-h), “to vomit, be nauseated,” likely based only on assonance and not on reliable etymological grounds. Many modern scholars consider the etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קִיקָיוֹן occurs only in the book of Jonah (Jonah 4:6-10), referring to the fast-growing plant that shades Jonah. The precise botanical identification is debated, but the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) is a leading candidate due to its rapid growth and large leaves, although the word's non-Hebrew form has led some to suggest an Egyptian or Akkadian origin. The Septuagint renders it as κολοκύνθη, 'gourd,' while the Vulgate uses hedera, 'ivy.' English tradition often translates as 'gourd,' but this is likely imprecise; other options have included 'ricinus,' 'castor bean plant,' or simply leaving the term transliterated ("qiqayon") to avoid unwarranted specificity. The plant in Jonah functions symbolically as a sudden divine provision and loss. The term has no connection to Israelite ethnonym or identity and does not reappear elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, indicating it is a hapax legomenon (occurring only once).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps from קָיָה; the gourd (as nauseous); gourd.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קיקיון (uncertain) (q-y-q-y-w-n (uncertain)) — uncertain; plant, fast-growing vegetation, shade-providing bush

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7021-01 הַ/קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן haqiqayon HTd/Ncmsa the plant the castor-bean plant 4
H7021-02 קִיקָי֞וֹן qiqayon HNcmsa plant castor-bean bush 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7021-02 Jonah 4:6 קִיקָי֞וֹן qiqayon HNcmsa plant castor-bean bush
H7021-01 Jonah 4:6 הַ/קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן haqiqayon HTd/Ncmsa the-plant the castor-bean plant
H7021-01 Jonah 4:7 הַ/קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן haqiqayon HTd/Ncmsa the plant the castor-bean plant
H7021-01 Jonah 4:9 הַ/קִּֽיקָי֑וֹן haqiqayon HTd/Ncmsa the plant the castor-bean plant
H7021-01 Jonah 4:10 הַ/קִּ֣יקָי֔וֹן haqiqayon HTd/Ncmsa the plant the castor-bean plant
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