כְּסִיל
𐤊𐤎𐤉𐤋
Kesil
H3685 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A prominent constellation; specifically used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to the celestial figure Orion. While the term can generally indicate a notable or conspicuous star grouping, in biblical usage it almost always points to the distinct and easily recognizable Orion constellation.
Semantic Range
notable constellation, Orion, prominent star group
Root / Etymology
From the root כסל (k-s-l), which generally conveys the sense of 'being strong, firm, or confident.' The noun כְּסִיל likely draws on the concept of conspicuousness or grandeur inherent in the root, applied to a dominant and clearly visible constellation in the night sky. The relationship between the root meaning ('to be strong, confident') and the constellation term likely rests on the constellation's impressive and striking appearance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, כְּסִיל appears only in poetic or cosmological contexts (Job 9:9; Job 38:31; Amos 5:8), where it is mentioned alongside other celestial markers (e.g., 'Pleiades' כִּימָה, 'Mazzaroth' מַזָּרוֹת) as a sign of the Creator's power over the heavens. While English Bibles often render כְּסִיל as 'Orion,' the identification is based on ancient traditions and correlation with Babylonian star lore, where the distinctive arrangement of stars was personified as a heroic figure. There is some scholarly debate over the precise referent, but Orion is widely accepted. In later Hebrew and in rabbinic tradition, the term continues to denote Orion. The word's root (connection with 'fool,' כְּסִיל, in wisdom literature) is unrelated etymologically; context distinguishes between 'constellation' and 'fool.' The identification of כְּסִיל as 'Orion' reflects continuity with ancient Near Eastern astronomical knowledge rather than a distinct Israelite system. English translations such as 'constellation' or 'Orion' convey the main sense but may obscure the term's poetic function and broader associations with ancient cosmology.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as כְּסִיל; any notable constellation; specifically Orion (as if a burly one); constellation, Orion.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
כסל (Kesil) — to be strong, to be firm, to be confident
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3688 | כָּסַל | and they become dull-minded |
| H3690 | כִּסְלָה | your confidence |
| H3693 | כְּסָלוֹן | Kesalon |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3685-01 |
כְּסִ֥יל | kesil | HNcmsa |
of Orion | thick-headed one | Orion | 2 |
H3685-02 |
וּ/כְסִ֗יל | ukhesil | HC/Np |
and Orion | and Orion | and Kesil | 1 |
H3685-03 |
וּ/כְסִ֣ילֵי/הֶ֔ם | ukhesileyhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their constellations | and their prominent constellations | and their constellations | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3685-03 |
Isaiah 13:10 | וּ/כְסִ֣ילֵי/הֶ֔ם | ukhesileyhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their constellations | and their prominent constellations | and their constellations |
H3685-02 |
Amos 5:8 | וּ/כְסִ֗יל | ukhesil | HC/Np |
and Orion | and Orion | and Kesil |
H3685-01 |
Job 9:9 | כְּסִ֥יל | kesil | HNcmsa |
Orion | thick-headed one | Orion |
H3685-01 |
Job 38:31 | כְּסִ֣יל | kesil | HNcmsa |
of Orion | thick-headed one | Orion |