קִיקָיוֹן
𐤒𐤉𐤒𐤉𐤅𐤍
qîyqâyôwn
H7021 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A specific type of plant, likely the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), that provided rapid shade in the narrative of Jonah. The term denotes a distinctive, rapidly growing bush or plant, especially noted for its large leaves or its quick provision of shelter. In the biblical context, it refers to the plant appointed by God to shade Jonah.
Semantic Range
castor oil plant, gourd, large-leafed bush, (by extension) any rapidly growing plant that provides shade
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. The word קִיקָיוֹן (qîyqâyôwn) appears to be a loanword, possibly of foreign (non-Semitic) origin, as it does not clearly fit established Hebrew roots. There has been speculation about a connection with the root קיה (k-y-h), “to vomit, be nauseated,” likely based only on assonance and not on reliable etymological grounds. Many modern scholars consider the etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
קִיקָיוֹן occurs only in the book of Jonah (Jonah 4:6-10), referring to the fast-growing plant that shades Jonah. The precise botanical identification is debated, but the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) is a leading candidate due to its rapid growth and large leaves, although the word's non-Hebrew form has led some to suggest an Egyptian or Akkadian origin. The Septuagint renders it as κολοκύνθη, 'gourd,' while the Vulgate uses hedera, 'ivy.' English tradition often translates as 'gourd,' but this is likely imprecise; other options have included 'ricinus,' 'castor bean plant,' or simply leaving the term transliterated ("qiqayon") to avoid unwarranted specificity. The plant in Jonah functions symbolically as a sudden divine provision and loss. The term has no connection to Israelite ethnonym or identity and does not reappear elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, indicating it is a hapax legomenon (occurring only once).
Translation Consistency
The SILEX range identifies the referent as the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), a rapidly growing, large‑leafed shrub that provides shade in Jonah. "Castor-oil plant" is a natural, specific English name that preserves the typical sense (rather than the less-accurate traditional "gourd") and will read clearly and consistently across all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps from קָיָה; the gourd (as nauseous); gourd.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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קיקיון (uncertain) (q-y-q-y-w-n (uncertain)) — uncertain; plant, fast-growing vegetation, shade-providing bush
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7021-01 |
הַ/קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן | haqiqayon | HTd/Ncmsa |
the plant | the castor-bean plant | the castor-bean plant | 4 |
H7021-02 |
קִיקָי֞וֹן | qiqayon | HNcmsa |
plant | castor-bean bush | castor-bean bush | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7021-02 |
Jonah 4:6 | קִיקָי֞וֹן | qiqayon | HNcmsa |
plant | castor-bean bush | castor-bean bush |
H7021-01 |
Jonah 4:6 | הַ/קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן | haqiqayon | HTd/Ncmsa |
the-plant | the castor-bean plant | the castor-bean plant |
H7021-01 |
Jonah 4:7 | הַ/קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן | haqiqayon | HTd/Ncmsa |
the plant | the castor-bean plant | the castor-bean plant |
H7021-01 |
Jonah 4:9 | הַ/קִּֽיקָי֑וֹן | haqiqayon | HTd/Ncmsa |
the plant | the castor-bean plant | the castor-bean plant |
H7021-01 |
Jonah 4:10 | הַ/קִּ֣יקָי֔וֹן | haqiqayon | HTd/Ncmsa |
the plant | the castor-bean plant | the castor-bean plant |