קָשָׂה (H7184) — Hebrew Lexicon

קָשָׂה

𐤒𐤔𐤄

qâsâh

H7184 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קשה to be hard, to be severe, to be round (in uncertain root sense)

Definition

A container used for holding liquids, typically a jug, bottle, or flask. In one context, may denote a cover or lid, likely of similar shape. Semantic range includes vessel for pouring, bottle for liquids (such as water or wine), and potentially a covering or lid, depending on context.

Semantic Range

jug, flask, pitcher, vessel for liquid, jar, bottle, covering, lid

Root / Etymology

The term derives from an unused root meaning 'to be round' (קשה or קשׂה), reflecting the rounded shape of traditional containers or vessels. The formation suggests a nominal pattern indicating an object characterized by its form.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קָשָׂה appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Numbers 7:84, 7:86, and 7:88, where it refers to vessels used in the sanctuary offerings. Translation traditions have sometimes rendered the word as 'cover,' 'bowl,' or 'jug,' depending on context. The connection to roundness suggests a primary association with vessel shape, not function—a nuance sometimes missed in English renderings. The alternative vocalization קַשְׂוָה reflects a variant spelling, but the sense remains consistent. Later Jewish tradition and Greek renderings (e.g., LXX) often interpret the item as a type of jar or vessel. The term does not occur outside late priestly contexts, and its exact differentiation from other vessel terms like קֻבַּע, פַּךְ, or כּוֹס is uncertain, though its ritual use distinguishes it in its biblical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or קַשְׂוָה; from an unused root meaning to be round; a jug (from its shape); cover, cup.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קשה (q-š-h) — hardness, severity, roundness (shape-derived)

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H4749	מִקְשָׁה	one-piece hammered metalwork
H7185	קָשָׁה	I will make hard
H7186	קָשֶׁה	the severe
H7190	קְשִׁי	stubbornness of
H7191	קִשְׁיוֹן	Hard-Ground Settlement
H7198	קֶשֶׁת	with the bow

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H7184-02`	קְשׂ֣וֹת	qesot	`HNcfpc`	the pitchers	rounded liquid-jugs of	1
`H7184-03`	וּ/קְשׂוֹתָי/ו֙	uqesotayv	`HC/Ncfpc/Sp3ms`	and its jars	and his rounded flasks	1
`H7184-01`	הַ/קְּשָׂוֺ֔ת	haqesaot	`HTd/Ncfpa`	jars	the rounded flasks	1
`H7184-04`	וְ/הַ/קְּשָׂוֺ֖ת	vehaqesaot	`HC/Td/Ncfpa`	and the pitchers	the rounded flasks	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H7184-03`	Exodus 25:29	וּ/קְשׂוֹתָי/ו֙	uqesotayv	`HC/Ncfpc/Sp3ms`	and its jars	and his rounded flasks
`H7184-01`	Exodus 37:16	הַ/קְּשָׂוֺ֔ת	haqesaot	`HTd/Ncfpa`	jars	the rounded flasks
`H7184-02`	Numbers 4:7	קְשׂ֣וֹת	qesot	`HNcfpc`	the pitchers	rounded liquid-jugs of
`H7184-04`	1 Chronicles 28:17	וְ/הַ/קְּשָׂוֺ֖ת	vehaqesaot	`HC/Td/Ncfpa`	and the pitchers	the rounded flasks

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