from כָּשֵׁר; success, advantage; equity, good, right.
Transliteration:kishrôwn
Pronunciation:kish-rone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H3788, *kishrôwn* (כִּשְׁרוֹן), derives from the root כָּשֵׁר (*kashēr*), which signifies "to be fit, proper, suitable, successful, or prosperous." Consequently, *kishrôwn* encapsulates a semantic range encompassing "success," "advantage," "skill," "equity," "goodness," and "rightness." It speaks to the favorable outcome of effort, the inherent suitability or propriety of something, or the benefit derived from a particular situation or action. The underlying concept is one of something being "in order," "effective," or "beneficial."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *kishrôwn* appears exclusively in the book of Ecclesiastes, offering a unique lens through which to view Qoheleth's reflections on human endeavor and the pursuit of meaning.
In [[Ecclesiastes 4:4]], the word is used to describe the "skill" or "success" (often translated as "all toil and all skill in work") that arises from human labor. The verse states, "Then I saw that all toil and all *kishrôwn* in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor." This context highlights the often-tainted motivations behind human achievement, suggesting that even apparent success can stem from an unwholesome root like rivalry or jealousy. Qoheleth, the Preacher, observes that human striving for excellence or advantage is frequently driven by a competitive spirit rather than pure, intrinsic motivation, thereby diminishing its ultimate value.
In [[Ecclesiastes 5:11]] (Hebrew 5:10), *kishrôwn* is translated as "advantage" or "profit." The verse reads, "When goods increase, they increase who eat them; and what *kishrôwn* has their owner except to behold them with his eyes?" Here, the word underscores the transient and ultimately unsatisfying nature of material gain when viewed from an earthly perspective. As wealth accumulates, so do the dependents or expenses, leaving the owner with little true "advantage" beyond the mere visual possession of his riches. This usage reinforces Qoheleth's pervasive theme of the vanity (*hevel*) of earthly pursuits.
Across both occurrences, *kishrôwn* refers to aspects of human achievement or prosperity, which Qoheleth critically examines, often revealing their emptiness or problematic origins when detached from a divine perspective.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root כָּשֵׁר (*kashēr*), from which *kishrôwn* is derived. This root itself means "to be proper, fit, suitable, successful, or prosperous." It appears in various forms, including the adjective *kashēr* (כָּשֵׁר), meaning "right," "proper," or "fit" (e.g., in [[Ecclesiastes 10:10]] regarding sharpening an axe, or in later Hebrew for "kosher").
Other related concepts in Ecclesiastes that often stand in contrast or parallel to *kishrôwn* include:
* `{{H205}}` (*'amal*): "toil," "labor," "trouble," often linked to the futility of human effort.
* `{{H3599}}` (*kîsrāh*): "prosperity," "success," a related Aramaic term found in [[Ecclesiastes 11:6]].
* `{{H1847}}` (*da'at*): "knowledge," "wisdom," which Qoheleth also scrutinizes for its limited ultimate value.
* `{{H1892}}` (*hevel*): "vanity," "vapor," the overarching theme of Ecclesiastes, highlighting the transient nature of all earthly *kishrôwn*.
The exploration of *kishrôwn* therefore fits within Qoheleth's broader inquiry into what is truly "good" or "profitable" under the sun.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *kishrôwn* in Ecclesiastes lies in its contribution to the book's profound critique of human achievement and the pursuit of earthly "success" or "advantage" as ultimate ends. Qoheleth uses *kishrôwn* to highlight that even what appears to be "good" or "skillful" from a human perspective can be flawed, fleeting, or ultimately unsatisfying.
1. **Critique of Human Autonomy:** By linking *kishrôwn* to envy ([[Ecclesiastes 4:4]]) or to an increase that brings no true advantage ([[Ecclesiastes 5:11]]), Qoheleth challenges the notion that human skill or success, when pursued independently of God, leads to lasting fulfillment. It suggests that human efforts, even when seemingly productive, are often tainted by sin (envy) or rendered meaningless by the inevitability of death and the insatiability of desire.
2. **Emphasis on Divine Sovereignty:** The limited and often illusory nature of *kishrôwn* points implicitly to the necessity of a divine perspective. True "good" or lasting "advantage" is not found in human striving or accumulation, but in what God grants and in living in reverence before Him (e.g., [[Ecclesiastes 12:13]]).
3. **Theological Realism:** *Kishrôwn* contributes to Ecclesiastes' theological realism, which confronts the harsh realities of life "under the sun." It acknowledges that people do achieve skill and gain advantage, but it simultaneously strips these achievements of their perceived ultimate worth, forcing the reader to look beyond temporal success for true meaning.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *kishrôwn* (H3788) signifies "success," "advantage," "skill," "equity," "good," or "right." Appearing exclusively in Ecclesiastes, it serves as a key term in Qoheleth's exploration of human endeavor. In [[Ecclesiastes 4:4]], *kishrôwn* refers to skill or success driven by envy, while in [[Ecclesiastes 5:11]], it questions the true "advantage" of increasing wealth. Both contexts underscore the vanity and often problematic nature of human achievements when viewed from an earthly, temporal perspective. Derived from the root כָּשֵׁר ("to be fit, proper, successful"), *kishrôwn* highlights the transient and ultimately unsatisfying character of human striving for prosperity or accomplishment apart from God. Theologically, it contributes to Ecclesiastes' critique of human autonomy, subtly pointing to the necessity of divine sovereignty and a transcendent source of true meaning and lasting good.
TRV