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קֶסֶת

𐤒𐤎𐤕

qeçeth

H7083 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קסת to hold, to contain, to be a vessel (uncertain)

Definition

An ink vessel or inkstand for holding writing ink, usually carried by scribes. In its sole biblical occurrence, it refers to a container used to hold ink, typically worn at the scribe’s waist for convenient access during record-keeping or administrative tasks. The semantic range centers on writing implements, especially a receptacle for ink.

Semantic Range

inkwell, inkstand, scribe's ink vessel, writing receptacle

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root קסת or possibly connected with כּוֹס (kos, 'cup') or קשׁה (qashah, 'to be hard'), but precise root relationship uncertain; likely denotes a small receptacle or container by form or function.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term קֶסֶת occurs only in Ezekiel 9:2–3 and 9:11, where it describes the 'inkhorn' worn at the side of a scribe-like figure in a vision. This was a specialized container, distinct from drinking cups (כּוֹס), used for writing rather than eating or drinking. Its use in Ezekiel signals the importance of written records in administrative and prophetic contexts during the exile. Later, in post-biblical Hebrew, קסת becomes the standard term for 'inkwell' or 'inkstand.' English translations commonly use 'inkhorn,' a rendering that reflects an antiquated European scribal instrument but may not capture the specific form of the container used in the ancient Near East. There is no indication that קֶסֶת was used for religious ritual; its usage is strictly administrative or literary. The word does not appear in earlier Israelite Scripture, likely reflecting the development of scribal tools and terminology during or after the exile, in line with increased administrative activity and record-keeping. The role of the scribe and their tools expands in later Judahite and Judean society, especially in exilic and post-exilic contexts. The association with כּוֹס is etymologically possible but debated; the primary link is functional—a vessel or a container—rather than precise lexical derivation. Ancient Near Eastern parallels show a variety of inkwell types, some horn-shaped, hence the traditional 'inkhorn' translation, but the precise form of the קֶסֶת in Ezekiel remains uncertain.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as כּוֹס (or as קָשָׁה); properly, a cup, i.e. an ink-stand; inkhorn.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קסת (q-s-t) — to hold, to contain, to be a vessel

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7083-03 וְ/קֶ֥סֶת veqeset HC/Ncfsc and an inkhorn ink-vessel of 1
H7083-02 קֶ֥סֶת qeset HNcfsc inkhorn ink vessel of 1
H7083-01 הַ/קֶּ֨סֶת֙ haqeset HTd/Ncfsa the writing case the ink-vessel 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7083-03 Ezekiel 9:2 וְ/קֶ֥סֶת veqeset HC/Ncfsc and an inkhorn ink-vessel of
H7083-02 Ezekiel 9:3 קֶ֥סֶת qeset HNcfsc inkhorn ink vessel of
H7083-01 Ezekiel 9:11 הַ/קֶּ֨סֶת֙ haqeset HTd/Ncfsa the writing case the ink-vessel
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