The Hebrew word Kithlîysh H3798, derived from terms meaning "wall of a man," is the name of a place in Palestine. According to its base definition, the lemma כְּתִלִישׁ features corrected vowels from an earlier form and is a compound of כֹּתֶל (wall) and אִישׁ (man). This specific place name is exceedingly rare, appearing only 1 time in a single verse in the entire Bible.
The sole appearance of H3798 is in the Old Testament book of Joshua. In the context of the division of the promised land among the tribes of Israel, Kithlish is listed as one of the cities within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. It is mentioned as part of a list of towns in the Shephelah, or the lowlands, demonstrating the detailed accounting of the inheritance Joshua 15:40.
In its only biblical mention, H3798 appears alongside other town names, linking them geographically within the same district of Judah:
- H3522 Kabbôwn: A place in Palestine whose name means "hilly." It is listed directly before Kithlish in the same verse Joshua 15:40.
- H3903 Lachmâç: A place in Palestine whose name means "food-like." It is also listed alongside Kithlish in the same verse Joshua 15:40.
The significance of H3798 is not found in complex theology but in its role within the biblical record of Israel's history.
- Historical Marker: The name functions as a precise geographical point, contributing to the detailed mapping of the land inherited by the tribe of Judah.
- Fulfilled Promise: Its inclusion in the list of cities in Joshua 15:40 serves as a small but concrete piece of evidence for the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to his people.
- Administrative Record: The mention of Kithlish is part of a larger, detailed administrative document, highlighting the historical and organizational nature of the settlement of Israel.
In summary, Kithlîysh H3798 is a place name meaning "wall of a man." Its single appearance in scripture, Joshua 15:40, anchors it firmly in the historical account of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel. While it carries no deep etymological or symbolic weight on its own, its presence underscores the Bible's historical precision and serves as a marker in the narrative of God's fulfilled promise of inheritance to His people.
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