Bible Dictionary
Kish
Kish is the name of several men, most notably Saul’s father, a Benjamite. Other men named Kish included Levites and an ancestor of Mordecai.
Definition
Kish is the name of several biblical persons. The best-known was a Benjamite, son of Abiel and father of Saul, Israel’s first king. Other men named Kish included Levites, another Benjamite, and the great-grandfather of Mordecai.
Biblical Usage
Kish, Saul’s father, sent Saul to search for strayed asses and was buried at Zelah in Benjamin. Other bearers of the name appear in Levitical, Benjamite, and genealogical records.
Historical Background
The name is associated with the meaning “bow.” The various persons named Kish belonged to Benjamin or to the Levitical family of Merari, except for the ancestor of Mordecai, who was also a Benjamite.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A bow. (1.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chr. 23:21; 24:29). (2.) A Benjamite of Jerusalem (1 Chr. 8:30; 9:36). (3.) A Levite in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:12). (4.) The great-grandfather of Mordecai (Esther 2:5). (5.) A Benjamite, the son of Abiel, and father of king Saul (1 Sam. 9:1, 3; 10:11, 21; 14:51; 2 Sam. 21:14). All that is recorded of him is that he sent his son Saul in search of his asses that had strayed, and that he was buried in Zelah. Called Cis, Acts 13:21 (R.V., Kish).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(a bow).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kish (qish; Kis, Keis, "bow," "power"): The name of five persons mentioned in the Bible:</p><p>(1) The son of Abiel and the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. He was of the tribe of Benjamin, of the family of the Matrites (1Sa 9:1; 14:51; compare Ac 13:21; 1Sa 10:21). According to 1Ch 8:33 and 9:39, "Ner begat Kish" By reading "Ner begat Abner" (compare 1Sa 14:51; 1Ch 6:28), the difficulty is at least partly overcome. In 1Ch 12:1, Kish is also mentioned as the father of Saul, and again in 2Sa 21:14, we are told that the sepulcher of Kish was located in the country of Benjamin, in Zela. His place of residence seems to have been at Gibeah.</p><p>(2) Another Kish is mentioned (1Ch 8:29 f; 9:35 f) as the son of Jeiel and his wife Maacah. He is usually supposed to be the uncle of Saul's father.</p><p>(3) A Levite, the son of Mahli the Merarite (1Ch 23:21 f; compare 24:29).</p><p>(4) Another Merarite Levite in the time of Hezekiah (2Ch 29:12).</p><p>(5) The great-grandfather of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin (Es 2:5).</p><p>William Baur</p>