a form for כּוֹס; a cup; also a bag formoney or weights; bag, cup, purse.
Transliteration:kîyç
Pronunciation:keece
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כִּיס (kîyç), Strong's H3599, presents an interesting semantic duality derived from its base definition. Primarily, it is identified as a form of כּוֹס (kôwç), `{{H3563}}`, which means "cup" or "drinking vessel." This connection suggests an initial understanding of כִּיס as a container. However, the semantic range of כִּיס itself expands significantly beyond a mere cup, encompassing "a bag for money or weights," hence "bag" or "purse." This expansion from a vessel for liquid to a pouch for valuables or instruments of measurement is crucial. While the "cup" meaning is etymologically present, the biblical occurrences of כִּיס predominantly lean towards the "bag" or "purse" connotation, particularly in contexts related to commerce, wealth, and justice. Thus, its core meaning revolves around a portable container, specifically one used for financial instruments or items of value.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of כִּיס (kîyç) in the Hebrew Bible consistently illustrate its meaning as a "bag" or "purse," often in contexts that highlight themes of economic integrity and justice.
* In [[Proverbs 1:14]], the word appears in the phrase "let us all have one purse" (כִּיס אֶחָד), referring to a shared money bag among those who conspire to ambush the innocent. Here, כִּיס clearly denotes a container for money, emphasizing a communal, albeit illicit, sharing of spoils.
* [[Proverbs 16:11]] states, "A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag (כִּיס) are his work." This verse underscores divine sovereignty over commercial standards. The כִּיס here holds the weights used in trade, making it a critical instrument for honest or dishonest dealings. The integrity of the weights within the bag is directly attributed to God's standard.
* [[Isaiah 46:6]] describes idolaters who "lavish gold out of the bag (כִּיס), and weigh silver in the balance." This passage vividly portrays the financial investment and effort put into creating idols, with the כִּיס serving as the repository for the precious metals used in their construction. It highlights the misplaced devotion and material waste involved in idolatry.
* Finally, in [[Micah 6:11]], the prophet challenges, "Shall I acquit a man with wicked scales and with a bag (כִּיס) of deceitful weights?" This rhetorical question condemns fraudulent practices in commerce. The "bag of deceitful weights" is a symbol of systemic injustice and exploitation, directly linking the כִּיס to moral accountability in economic transactions.
Across these occurrences, כִּיס consistently functions as a container for money or weights, deeply embedded in discussions of ethics, justice, and the handling of material wealth. The "cup" meaning, though part of its base definition, does not manifest in its biblical usage for this specific Strong's number.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of כִּיס (kîyç) is enriched by considering its relationship to other Hebrew terms and broader biblical concepts:
* **`{{H3563}}` כּוֹס (kôwç):** As noted, כִּיס is a form of כּוֹס, meaning "cup." While כּוֹס is frequently used metaphorically for destiny, judgment, or salvation (e.g., "cup of wrath," "cup of blessing"), כִּיס retains a more concrete, practical application as a container for money or weights. The shared root highlights the general concept of a container, but their semantic development diverges significantly in biblical usage.
* **`{{H6879}}` צְרוֹר (tsᵉrôr):** This term also refers to a "bundle" or "bag," often specifically a "money bag" or a "bag of valuables" (e.g., [[Genesis 42:35]], [[Proverbs 7:20]]). Like כִּיס, צְרוֹר signifies a portable container for wealth, reinforcing the theme of possessions and their management.
* **Weights and Measures:** The recurring association of כִּיס with "weights" (e.g., [[Proverbs 16:11]], [[Micah 6:11]]) connects it directly to the biblical emphasis on just and honest weights and measures. This concept is foundational to righteous commerce and is frequently addressed in Mosaic Law (e.g., [[Leviticus 19:36]], [[Deuteronomy 25:13-16]]) and prophetic condemnations of injustice.
* **Wealth and Stewardship:** As a container for money, כִּיס inherently relates to the broader biblical themes of wealth, its acquisition, and its responsible stewardship. The warnings against deceitful practices involving the כִּיס underscore the moral dimension of economic activity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כִּיס (kîyç) primarily emerges from its contextual use in relation to weights, money, and commercial integrity.
* **Divine Standard of Justice:** The most prominent theological implication is God's unwavering demand for justice and honesty in all human dealings, particularly in economic transactions. [[Proverbs 16:11]] explicitly states that "all the weights in the bag are his work," meaning God sets the standard for just weights and measures. Any deviation, such as a "bag of deceitful weights" ([[Micah 6:11]]), is an affront to His character and His righteous order.
* **Accountability in Commerce:** The presence of כִּיס in passages condemning fraud highlights human accountability before God for their economic practices. The integrity of one's כִּיס, whether holding money or weights, becomes a tangible reflection of one's moral character and adherence to divine law.
* **Critique of Materialism and Idolatry:** In [[Isaiah 46:6]], the use of gold from the כִּיס for idol-making serves as a powerful critique of misplaced priorities and idolatry. It illustrates how material wealth, intended for legitimate use, can be perverted to serve false gods, diverting resources and devotion away from the one true God.
* **Ethical Living:** While not carrying the profound eschatological or covenantal weight of its cognate `{{H3563}}` (cup), כִּיס grounds theological principles in the everyday realities of ethical living. It reminds believers that faith is not merely abstract but must permeate all aspects of life, including financial dealings and commercial interactions, reflecting God's righteousness in the marketplace.
### Summary
The Hebrew word כִּיס (kîyç), Strong's H3599, while etymologically linked to the concept of a "cup" (כּוֹס, `{{H3563}}`), is predominantly used in the biblical text to refer to a "bag" or "purse," particularly for money or weights. Its occurrences in Proverbs, Isaiah, and Micah consistently place it within contexts of commerce, economic integrity, and justice. The כִּיס serves as a tangible symbol of financial resources and the instruments of trade. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute standard for righteousness in all economic dealings, condemning deceitful practices and emphasizing human accountability. It highlights that God's concern for justice extends to the very weights in one's bag and the money in one's purse, making the integrity of the כִּיס a reflection of one's moral character and obedience to divine law.
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