כִידוֹד
𐤊𐤉𐤃𐤅𐤃
kîydôwd
H3590 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A spark, specifically a small particle of fire produced by striking or friction; in poetic contexts, a glimmer or bright flicker, especially as emitted from a flint, hammer, or striking metal. The word emphasizes the instantaneous and fleeting quality of the spark.
Semantic Range
spark, glimmer, bright flash, particle struck off by impact
Root / Etymology
From the root כיד, which is related to the concept of striking or smiting. The noun כִידוֹד (kîydôwd) likely derives from the verbal idea of 'striking off,' referring to the small particle or spark produced by such an action. It is compared etymologically with כַּדְכֹּד (kadkōd, 'ruby' or 'carbuncle'), though the semantic connection is based on brightness or dazzling quality rather than direct derivation. The precise root כיד is rare and only appears in these derivative forms.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כִידוֹד appears in Biblical Hebrew only in poetic and figurative contexts, notably in Job 41:11 [Eng. 18], where it describes sparks issuing from the mouth of Leviathan—emphasizing the creature's power and the analogy to fire-breathing. The imagery of the 'spark' highlights suddenness, brightness, and fleeting fire. The term is not related to the ordinary word for 'fire' (אֵשׁ), nor does it refer to embers or coals (גַּחֶלֶת); rather, it is limited to the ephemeral spark produced by hard impact, especially in poetic depictions of violence or power. Later Hebrew uses other terminology for similar phenomena; this term is rare and archaic. Standard English translations render it 'spark,' which captures the immediate primary sense but may lose some poetic nuance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as כִּיד (compare כַּדְכֹּד); properly, something struck off, i.e. a spark (as struck); spark.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כיד (k-y-d) — to strike, to smite
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3589 | כִּיד | his crushing blow |
| H3591 | כִּידוֹן | battle-spear |
| H3592 | כִּידוֹן | Kidon |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3590-01 |
כִּיד֥וֹדֵי | kidodey | HNcmpc |
like-flames | struck-off sparks of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3590-01 |
Job 41:11 | כִּיד֥וֹדֵי | kidodey | HNcmpc |
like-flames | struck-off sparks of |