קֵא
𐤒𐤀
qêʼ
H6892 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A discharge of stomach contents through the mouth; the substance expelled by vomiting. Used literally to denote waste matter ejected from the stomach, and metaphorically to describe polluting, rejected, or abominable things, especially in the context of ritual or moral impurity.
Semantic Range
vomit (as substance), act of vomiting, metaphorical impurity or pollution, that which is rejected or abhorred
Root / Etymology
From the root קוא (k-w-ʼ), which conveys the sense of vomiting or ejecting from the body. The noun קֵא/qê’ is a direct derivation from this verbal root, meaning 'that which is vomited.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Appearing only in a few passages (notably Isaiah 28:8), the term denotes literal vomit, but its employment is often alongside imagery of pollution or defilement, especially in prophetic critique of corrupt ritual or leadership. The root is rare and vivid, used almost exclusively in strongly negative or visceral imagery. Derived forms (like the verb קוא, 'to vomit') are even less frequent in biblical Hebrew. English translations typically render the term as 'vomit,' which accurately reflects the concrete referent, but may not capture all of its force as a metaphor for impurity, pollution, or revulsion, particularly in the prophetic literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or קִיא; from קוֹא; vomit; vomit.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קוא (q-w-ʾ) — to vomit, eject, expel
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6892-01 |
בְּ/קִיאֽ/וֹ | beqio | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in-his-vomit | in his vomit | 2 |
H6892-02 |
קֵא֑/וֹ | qeo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
its vomit | his vomit | 1 |
H6892-03 |
קִ֣יא | qi | HNcmsa |
vomit | vomit-matter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6892-01 |
Isaiah 19:14 | בְּ/קִיאֽ/וֹ | beqio | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in-his-vomit | in his vomit |
H6892-03 |
Isaiah 28:8 | קִ֣יא | qi | HNcmsa |
vomit | vomit-matter |
H6892-01 |
Jeremiah 48:26 | בְּ/קִיא֔/וֹ | beqio | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in-his-vomit | in his vomit |
H6892-02 |
Proverbs 26:11 | קֵא֑/וֹ | qeo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
its vomit | his vomit |