קִישׁוֹן
𐤒𐤉𐤔𐤅𐤍
Qishon
H7028 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Kishon—a perennial or seasonal stream (wadi) in the northern region of the Land of Israel, referenced mainly as a notable geographic feature. The term designates specifically the watercourse known for flowing near Mount Carmel, often cited as a site of significant historical events, particularly military confrontations. The word can indicate both the river itself and, by metonymy, the valley or region adjacent to its course.
Semantic Range
Kishon River (proper name of a stream in northern Israel); by extension, the adjacent valley or region
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root קוּשׁ (qush), possibly relating to the idea of twisting or winding. The exact relationship between root meaning and proper-noun usage is somewhat opaque, as is common with ancient toponyms. In this case, the name likely refers to the physical, winding characteristics of the river.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The Kishon River figures prominently in biblical narratives, most notably as the location where the Canaanite army led by Sisera was destroyed (Judges 4:7, 13, 5:21), and again as the site of the defeat of the prophets of Baal by Elijah (1 Kings 18:40). The river's identification with the current Nahr el-Muqatta‘ is well attested, though its hydrology has changed over the millennia. English translations typically render the Hebrew term as 'Kishon,' directly transliterating the name; 'Kison' (in some versions) likely derives from Greek Septuagint tradition. The primary biblical usage is as a place name, so meanings such as 'winding' are etymological but not lexical in their biblical context. Geographic and hydrological realities, along with notable events attached to this location, shape the semantic import within narrative settings, rather than any distinct meaning of the word outside of its status as a proper noun. There is no evidence in biblical Hebrew of a wider use of the appellative sense ('winding') as an ordinary common noun.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קוֹשׁ; winding; Kishon, a river of Palestine; Kishon, Kison.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קושׁ (q-w-sh) — to twist, to wind
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7028-01 |
קִישׁ֗וֹן | qishon | HNp |
Kishon | Winding Stream | 6 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7028-01 |
Judges 4:7 | קִישׁ֗וֹן | qishon | HNp |
Kishon | Winding Stream |
H7028-01 |
Judges 4:13 | קִישֽׁוֹן | qishon | HNp |
Kishon | Winding Stream |
H7028-01 |
Judges 5:21 | קִישׁוֹן֙ | qishon | HNp |
of Kishon | Winding Stream |
H7028-01 |
Judges 5:21 | קִישׁ֑וֹן | qishon-2 | HNp |
Kishon | Winding Stream |
H7028-01 |
1 Kings 18:40 | קִישׁ֔וֹן | qishon | HNp |
Kishon | Winding Stream |
H7028-01 |
Psalms 83:10 | קִישֽׁוֹן | qishon | HNp |
Kishon | Winding Stream |