קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת
𐤒𐤔𐤒𐤔𐤕
qasqeseth
H7193 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Thin, flat plate or scale overlaying the body of a fish; by extension, a plate or scale-like component in armor. In its primary sense, refers to the small, rigid plates that cover and protect fish. In secondary usage, describes overlapping plate segments in protective armor, specifically a type of scale armor composed of numerous small plates. The word's semantic range centers on physical characteristics of thinness, overlap, and protective display, primarily in aquatic creatures but also by analogy in artifacts.
Semantic Range
scale (of a fish); plate or flake; segment of scale armor; armoring plate; by analogy, overlapping protective covering
Root / Etymology
Root: קשׂשׂ (likely; uncertain as a denominative or onomatopoeic formation). Root meaning: 'to scrape, peel, gather as thin plates or fragments.' קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת is a reduplicated noun form, possibly imitating the appearance or action of many small, overlapping flakes. The term does not appear as a verb elsewhere; derivation is thus by nominal formation rather than from an attested verb.
Historical & Contextual Notes
קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת appears in biblical texts primarily in two domains: (1) in Levitical dietary instructions, as a distinguishing morphological trait of fish permissible for Israelite consumption (Lev 11:9–12; Deut 14:9–10), and (2) in descriptions of armor or the appearance of certain creatures (e.g., as a descriptor for Goliath's scale armor in 1 Sam 17:5, or metaphorically for Leviathan’s 'shields/armor plating' in Job 41:15). In the dietary laws, the presence of קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (alongside סְנֵפִיר, 'fin') exempts certain fish from taboo, underlying the importance of physical traits as ritual markers. As armor terminology, the word is related to but distinct from שִׁרְיָן ('coat of mail'), specifying armor constructed of small, overlapping plates rather than chain links. The English term 'scale' captures much of the core meaning but lacks the direct link to ritual-legal significance. Later rabbinic usage also links קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת to halakhic fish identification. The term does not denote general 'armor' but specifically armor mimicking the form or function of fish scales, hence 'scale armor.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
by reduplication from an unused root meaning to shale off as bark; a scale (of a fish); hence a coat of mail (as composed of or covered with jointed plates of metal); mail, scale.
Bantu Hebrew
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קשׂשׂ (q-s-s) — to peel, to scrape, to flake, to gather thin plates
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7193-03 |
וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֜שֶׂת | veqaseqeset | HC/Ncfsa |
and scales | and scale-plate | 5 |
H7193-01 |
בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֑י/ךָ | beqaseqesoteykha | HR/Ncfpc/Sp2ms |
to your scales | your scaling-plates | 2 |
H7193-02 |
קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים | qaseqasim | HNcfpa |
scales | overlapping scales | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7193-03 |
Leviticus 11:9 | וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֜שֶׂת | veqaseqeset | HC/Ncfsa |
and scales | and scale-plate |
H7193-03 |
Leviticus 11:10 | וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֗שֶׂת | veqaseqeset | HC/Ncfsa |
and scales | and scale-plate |
H7193-03 |
Leviticus 11:12 | וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂת | veqaseqeset | HC/Ncfsa |
and scales | and scale-plate |
H7193-03 |
Deuteronomy 14:9 | וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂת | veqaseqeset | HC/Ncfsa |
and scales | and scale-plate |
H7193-03 |
Deuteronomy 14:10 | וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂת | veqaseqeset | HC/Ncfsa |
and scales | and scale-plate |
H7193-02 |
1 Samuel 17:5 | קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים | qaseqasim | HNcfpa |
scales | overlapping scales |
H7193-01 |
Ezekiel 29:4 | בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֑י/ךָ | beqaseqesoteykha | HR/Ncfpc/Sp2ms |
to your scales | your scaling-plates |
H7193-01 |
Ezekiel 29:4 | בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֖י/ךָ | beqaseqesoteykha-2 | HR/Ncfpc/Sp2ms |
to your scales | your scaling-plates |