כִּיּוּן
𐤊𐤉𐤅𐤍
Kiun
H3594 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A deity or astral figure referenced in Amos 5:26, representing an object of worship by the Israelites, likely personified as a star or planetary figure. The term denotes the object of veneration, which may refer to an idol, statue, or the celestial deity itself, based on context. Its meaning centers on a foreign cultic figure or image.
Semantic Range
name of a foreign deity (likely astronomical, possibly Saturn); object or idol representing this deity; proper noun; term for a cultic object of worship
Root / Etymology
The word is traditionally connected to the root כון (kûn, 'to be firm, establish'), but this etymology is uncertain. Its formation does not fit standard derivational patterns from the root, and the meaning shifts away from the root sense ('to establish') to a proper name or title for a deity. Some scholars suggest a possible relationship with the Akkadian 'Kayawanu', a name for the planet Saturn, which is phonetically and conceptually relevant, but this remains debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The occurrence of כִּיּוּן is limited to Amos 5:26, where it appears in a denunciation of Israelite syncretism. The term is juxtaposed with Sikkut, another foreign religious figure, indicating a context of astral or idolatrous worship (likely Mesopotamian in origin). LXX renders it as 'Raiphan' (Ραιφάν), influencing later traditions that associate it with various astral deities, notably Saturn. Later English translations (e.g., KJV 'Chiun') carry over the transliterated form rather than interpret the meaning, contributing to ambiguity. References connecting it to Baal-peor or Priapus reflect much later interpretive traditions that do not reflect biblical usage or meaning. The term functions as a proper noun rather than a generic word for idol or image.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כּוּן; properly, a statue, i.e. idol; but used (by euphemism) forsome heathen deity (perhaps corresponding to Priapus or Baal-peor); Chiun.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
כון (Yehoyakhin) — to establish, to set up, to prepare
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3078 | יְהוֹיָכִין | YHWH establishes |
| H3112 | יוֹיָכִין | Yahweh establishes |
| H3199 | יָכִין | to He-Establishes |
| H3200 | יָכִינִי | the Yakinite |
| H3204 | יְכׇנְיָה | Yah Establishes |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3594-01 |
כִּיּ֣וּן | kiun | HNp |
Kiyyun | Kiyyun | Kiun | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3594-01 |
Amos 5:26 | כִּיּ֣וּן | kiun | HNp |
Kiyyun | Kiyyun | Kiun |