### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun קֵא (qêʼ) or קִיא (qîʼ) is derived from the verbal root קוֹא (qôʼ), which means "to vomit" or "to spew out." Its core meaning refers to the forceful expulsion of contents from the stomach through the mouth, denoting both the act of vomiting and the substance that is vomited. Semantically, it carries a strong connotation of impurity, defilement, and utter rejection. Figuratively, it implies a profound revulsion or abhorrence, so intense that it evokes a physical response of expulsion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term קֵא (qêʼ) or קִיא (qîʼ) appears in a limited number of Old Testament passages, consistently in contexts of defilement, judgment, and extreme repulsion.
* **[[Leviticus 18:25]]**: "And the land was defiled; therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants." Here, the land is personified, expressing its utter rejection and expulsion of the people due to their abominable practices, particularly illicit sexual relations and child sacrifice. The "vomit" symbolizes the people themselves, expelled because their sin has rendered the land incapable of tolerating their presence. This highlights the severity of their defilement and God's holy intolerance for such acts.
* **[[Leviticus 18:28]]**: "so that the land will not vomit you out for defiling it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you." This verse reiterates the warning from [[Leviticus 18:25]], emphasizing the consequence of defiling the land. The land's "vomit" is presented as a divine judgment, a natural consequence of gross impurity that renders the land unable to sustain its inhabitants.
* **[[Proverbs 26:11]]**: "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." This is a vivid and stark simile. The "vomit" (קֵא) here is the literal bodily discharge. The image powerfully portrays the repulsive, self-destructive, and senseless nature of a fool's repetitive errors. It underscores a profound lack of wisdom and discernment in reverting to that which has already been rejected and found repugnant. This proverb is famously echoed in [[2 Peter 2:22]] (using the Greek equivalent `{{G1668}}` for "vomit").
* **[[Jeremiah 48:26]]**: "Make him drunk, for he has defied the LORD; let Moab wallow in his vomit, and let him also be a derision." In this prophetic judgment against Moab, the "vomit" (קֵא) symbolizes a state of utter humiliation, degradation, and public shame. It represents the complete downfall and defilement of Moab, brought about by divine judgment for their pride and defiance against Yahweh.
Across these occurrences, קֵא/קִיא consistently signifies something repulsive, rejected, and associated with severe consequences, whether due to moral defilement, spiritual folly, or divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **קוֹא (qôʼ) `{{H6958}}`**: The verbal root from which קֵא/קִיא is derived, meaning "to vomit" or "to spew out." This verb is used both for physical expulsion (e.g., [[Jonah 2:10]] where the fish vomits Jonah) and figurative expulsion, as seen in the Greek equivalent in [[Revelation 3:16]] where God threatens to "vomit" the lukewarm. The close relationship between the noun and verb highlights the active process of expulsion.
* **טָמֵא (ṭāmēʼ) `{{H2930}}` / טֻמְאָה (ṭuṃʼâ) `{{H2932}}`**: "Unclean" / "uncleanness." The concept of "vomit" is intimately linked to ritual and moral impurity in the biblical worldview. The land "vomiting out" its inhabitants in Leviticus is directly tied to their defilement (טֻמְאָה).
* **תּוֹעֵבָה (tôʻēḇâ) `{{H8441}}`**: "Abomination." The actions that cause the land to "vomit" its inhabitants are frequently described as abominations to the LORD. In this sense, vomit is the physical manifestation of the land's (and by extension, God's) rejection of such abhorrent practices.
* **חֶרְפָּה (ḥerpâ) `{{H2781}}`**: "Reproach," "disgrace," "shame." The vivid image of wallowing in one's vomit (as in [[Jeremiah 48:26]]) powerfully conveys a state of utter disgrace and public humiliation, a consequence of divine judgment.
* **פֶּרֶשׁ (pereš) `{{H6507}}`**: "Dung," "excrement." While distinct, this word also denotes repulsive bodily waste and is associated with defilement and rejection, often in contexts of sacrifice or judgment (e.g., [[Malachi 2:3]]). Both קֵא and פֶּרֶשׁ represent vile, expelled matter.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of קֵא (qêʼ) extends beyond its literal meaning to profound concepts of divine holiness, moral purity, and judgment.
1. **Divine Abhorrence of Sin**: The most striking theological implication is found in the Levitical passages, where the land "vomits out" its inhabitants due to their abominable sins. This is a powerful metaphor for God's utter revulsion and intolerance of deep-seated moral corruption, particularly sexual perversion and child sacrifice. It signifies that sin is not merely a transgression but an active defilement that makes the very creation incapable of bearing its presence. The land, as God's creation, reacts with a visceral rejection, mirroring God's own holy indignation.
2. **Consequences of Defilement**: The act of vomiting symbolizes the inevitable consequences of persistent defilement. Just as a body expels harmful substances, the land, under divine governance, expels those who pollute it. This illustrates a principle of divine justice: unrepentant wickedness leads to expulsion and ruin. It serves as a stark warning that God's patience has limits, and His holy nature demands separation from impurity.
3. **Repulsiveness of Folly**: The proverb in [[Proverbs 26:11]] highlights the inherent repulsiveness and self-destructive nature of a fool's actions. The theological lesson here is the futility and moral degradation of returning to known errors. It speaks to the spiritual blindness and moral perversion that prevents a fool from learning or progressing, instead reverting to what is already proven to be vile. This serves as a warning against spiritual backsliding and the rejection of wisdom.
4. **Humiliation and Disgrace**: In prophetic judgment, "wallowing in vomit" (e.g., [[Jeremiah 48:26]]) signifies ultimate humiliation and disgrace as a consequence of defying God. It underscores the complete stripping away of pride and dignity, leaving the defiant in a state of utter abjection before God and humanity. This serves as a powerful image of divine retribution against those who mock the Lord.
In essence, קֵא (qêʼ) is a potent image of repulsion, defilement, and ultimate rejection, reflecting God's holy character and the severity of His judgment against sin and folly.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun קֵא (qêʼ) or קִיא (qîʼ), derived from the verb קוֹא (qôʼ) `{{H6958}}`, fundamentally denotes the act or substance of vomiting. Its literal meaning of physiological expulsion extends metaphorically to represent profound repulsion, defilement, and a forceful rejection. In the Old Testament, it appears in crucial contexts:
1. **Divine Judgment and Defilement**: In [[Leviticus 18:25]] and [[Leviticus 18:28]], the land is personified as "vomiting out" its inhabitants due to their abominable practices, powerfully illustrating God's utter abhorrence of sin and the severe consequences of defiling the land. This links קֵא to concepts of uncleanness (`{{H2930}}`, `{{H2932}}`) and abomination (`{{H8441}}`).
2. **Repulsiveness of Folly**: [[Proverbs 26:11]] uses the vivid simile of a dog returning to its vomit to depict the repulsive and self-destructive nature of a fool's repetitive errors, emphasizing a lack of wisdom and discernment. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament (`{{G1668}}`).
3. **Humiliation and Disgrace**: In [[Jeremiah 48:26]], Moab is condemned to "wallow in his vomit" as a sign of complete degradation and public shame due to their defiance against the LORD, signifying ultimate divine retribution and disgrace (`{{H2781}}`).
Theologically, קֵא serves as a stark symbol of God's holy revulsion toward sin, the inevitable and severe consequences of moral defilement, the inherent repulsiveness of spiritual folly, and the ultimate humiliation faced by those who defy the Almighty. It powerfully conveys the concept of utter rejection and the profound impurity associated with certain actions and states.
TRV