כִּימָה
𐤊𐤉𐤌𐤄
Kimah
H3598 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A distinct group or cluster of stars, almost certainly referring to a specific asterism known for its compactness and visibility; typically identified with the Pleiades star cluster. In the Hebrew Bible, the term functions as a proper name for a prominent star group recognized for guiding agricultural seasons and navigation.
Semantic Range
star cluster, asterism, the Pleiades, specific visible group of stars
Root / Etymology
The word כִּימָה appears to derive from a root similar to כּוּם (k-w-m), 'to heap up, pile, stand,' or perhaps from כּוּמָז, meaning 'ornament,' suggesting something arranged or grouped together, but this connection is uncertain. The precise etymological connection is debated among scholars; thus, 'etymology uncertain' is most accurate.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical texts, כִּימָה occurs in poetic passages that demonstrate advanced ancient Israelite awareness of prominent constellations, particularly in the books of Amos (5:8) and Job (9:9; 38:31). The identification with the Pleiades (a tight cluster of six or seven obvious stars in the constellation Taurus) fits both the visual sense of 'cluster' and ancient Near Eastern astronomical tradition. The word represents a specific asterism rather than an abstract 'cluster.' Although most English translations render כִּימָה as 'Pleiades,' this follows Greek (Septuagint) and later interpretive tradition, but does not strictly limit its broader meaning in the Hebrew context to 'Pleiades' alone. The term is distinct from כְּסִיל (kesil, Orion), and the ancients may have associated כִּימָה with seasonal rain and agricultural cycles. In later periods, the term's identification remained consistent due to shared Hellenistic astronomical knowledge, but the primary meaning is a visible, tightly-grouped star cluster, most likely the Pleiades. The term's descriptive character is lost in most English translations, which substitute the transliterated Greek term without conveying the original visual imagery recognized by ancient Israelites.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as כּוּמָז; a cluster of stars, i.e. the Pleiades; Pleiades, seven stars.
Bantu Hebrew
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קום (uncertain) (q-w-m (uncertain)) — to rise, stand, heap up, arrange in a cluster
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3598-03 |
וְ/כִימָ֗ה | vekhimah | HC/Ncfsa |
and Pleiades | Clustered Star-Group | 1 |
H3598-02 |
כִּימָ֑ה | kimah | HNp |
of the Pleiades | Kimah Star-Cluster | 1 |
H3598-01 |
כִימָ֜ה | khimah | HNp |
the Pleiades | Heaped Star-Cluster | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences