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קִיטוֹר

𐤒𐤉𐤈𐤅𐤓

qîyṭôwr

H7008 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קטר to smoke, to produce smoke or vapor, to burn incense

Definition

A visible emanation of fine particles suspended in air resulting from burning or vaporization, typically denoting smoke, vapor, or visible steam. In biblical usage, it most often refers to smoke as a perceptible cloud, whether from fire, incense, or another source.

Semantic Range

smoke, vapor, steam, fine cloud, fume

Root / Etymology

From the root קטר, which fundamentally means 'to cause to smoke, to produce fragrant smoke, to burn incense.' The noun קִיטוֹר (qîyṭôwr) is formed as a denominative, referring to the product or substance of the burning process, i.e., the smoke or vapor itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קִיטוֹר appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, mostly in poetic or descriptive contexts to denote a visible, shifting cloud of smoke or vapor (e.g., Psalm 148:8, Joel 2:30). Its usage contrasts with עָשָׁן (ʿāshān), the more common term for 'smoke,' which is employed for smoke from large fires, sacrificial offerings, and visible destruction. קִיטוֹר, by contrast, tends to denote smoke or vapor of a finer quality—sometimes rising vertically or as a column, and may reference not only burning but also atmospheric phenomena such as fog or steam. The Septuagint usually renders it with words for 'steam' or 'vapor.' English translations, following tradition, usually supply 'smoke' or 'vapor,' but may not always capture the subtle distinction from עָשָׁן. In later Hebrew and Aramaic, the root retains the sense of producing smoke or incense. The term carries no religious identity or ethnic designation in its contexts, and is used descriptively and metaphorically.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or קִיטֹר; from קָטַר; a fume, i.e. cloud; smoke, vapour.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קטר (q-ṭ-r) — to smoke, to produce smoke or vapor, to burn incense

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4729 מִקְטָר incense-hearth of
H4730 מִקְטֶרֶת his incense-burning vessel
H6988 קְטוֹרָה smoke-offering incense
H6989 קְטוּרָה Keturah
H6999 קָטַר the smoke-makers

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7008-04 וְ/קִיט֑וֹר veqitor HC/Ncmsa and vapor smoke-vapor 1
H7008-01 בְּ/קִיט֑וֹר beqitor HR/Ncmsa in the smoke in smoke 1
H7008-03 קִיטֹ֣ר qitor HNcmsc smoke smoke 1
H7008-02 כְּ/קִיטֹ֖ר keqitor HR/Ncmsc like smoke like smoke-of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7008-03 Genesis 19:28 קִיטֹ֣ר qitor HNcmsc smoke smoke
H7008-02 Genesis 19:28 כְּ/קִיטֹ֖ר keqitor HR/Ncmsc like smoke like smoke-of
H7008-01 Psalms 119:83 בְּ/קִיט֑וֹר beqitor HR/Ncmsa in the smoke in smoke
H7008-04 Psalms 148:8 וְ/קִיט֑וֹר veqitor HC/Ncmsa and vapor smoke-vapor
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