from קוֹשׁ; winding; Kishon, a river of Palestine; Kishon, Kison.
Transliteration:Qîyshôwn
Pronunciation:kee-shone'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma קִישׁוֹן (Qîyshôwn, `{{H7028}}`) is a proper noun referring to a specific geographical feature: the Kishon River. Its etymology is traced to the root קוֹשׁ (qôsh), which carries the meaning of "to lay a snare," "to ensnare," or "to lie in wait." This etymological connection suggests that the name "Kishon" itself describes a key characteristic of the river, namely its "winding" or "meandering" course, which could metaphorically be seen as a "snare" or a treacherous path. Thus, the core meaning encompasses both the identity of a specific river and an inherent characteristic of its flow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Kishon River plays a significant role in several key narratives within the Hebrew Bible, primarily as a site of divine intervention and judgment.
* **Judges 4:7**: The Lord declares to Barak that He will "draw out Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Wadi Kishon, and there I will give him into your hand." This prophecy establishes the Kishon as the predestined location for the decisive battle and Sisera's defeat.
* **Judges 4:13**: Following the divine instruction, Sisera gathers his 900 iron chariots and all his troops from Harosheth-hagoyim to the Wadi Kishon, setting the stage for the fulfillment of the prophecy.
* **Judges 5:19-21**: In the triumphant Song of Deborah and Barak, the Kishon is vividly personified as an active participant in the battle: "The kings came, they fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo... The torrent of Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might!" This passage highlights the river's powerful and destructive force, which God supernaturally employed to rout Sisera's technologically superior army, rendering their chariots useless in the flooded terrain. The "waters of Megiddo" are often understood as referring to the tributaries or the main course of the Kishon.
* **1 Kings 18:40**: Following Elijah's dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he commands the people, "Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape!" They were seized, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there. Here, the Kishon serves as the site for the execution of divine judgment against the proponents of idolatry, symbolizing a cleansing and purification of the land from false worship.
In both contexts, the Kishon is not merely a backdrop but an integral element in the unfolding of God's redemptive and judgmental purposes. Its inherent "winding" nature may have contributed to its capacity to become a treacherous, flood-prone torrent, making it an ideal instrument for divine action.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding קִישׁוֹן (Qîyshôwn, `{{H7028}}`) is enriched by examining its linguistic and conceptual neighbors:
* **קוֹשׁ (qôsh)**: The root from which Kishon is derived, meaning "to lay a snare," "to ensnare," or "to lie in wait." This connection underscores the idea of the river as a trap or a place where one might be caught, particularly relevant to Sisera's defeat.
* **נַחַל (naḥal)**: The common Hebrew word for "wadi," "torrent," or "brook." The Kishon is frequently referred to as "נַחַל קִישׁוֹן" (naḥal Qîyshôwn), emphasizing its character as a seasonal stream that can swell into a powerful, destructive torrent during the rainy season. This term highlights its dynamic and potentially dangerous nature.
* **Mount Carmel**: Geographically and narratively linked to the Kishon. The contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place on Mount Carmel, and the subsequent execution of the prophets occurred in the Wadi Kishon at its base.
* **Megiddo and Taanach**: Cities located on the plain adjacent to the Kishon, which serve as geographical markers for the battle described in Judges 5. The "waters of Megiddo" are closely associated with the Kishon's influence on the battlefield.
* **Chariots**: A key element in Sisera's army, rendered ineffective by the flooded conditions of the Kishon, highlighting the futility of human military might against divine intervention.
### Theological Significance
The Kishon River transcends its geographical reality to become a profound theological symbol in the biblical narrative.
* **Divine Instrument of Judgment**: Most prominently, the Kishon serves as an active instrument of God's judgment. In Judges, it is the means by which Yahweh orchestrates the defeat of Sisera's formidable army. The river's sudden swelling and transformation into a destructive torrent is presented as a miraculous act of God, sweeping away the chariots and forces of Israel's oppressor ([[Judges 5:21]]). This demonstrates God's power to use even natural elements to achieve His purposes and deliver His people.
* **Site of Purification and Justice**: In the Elijah narrative, the Kishon becomes the execution ground for the prophets of Baal. This act symbolizes the purging of idolatry from Israel and the restoration of Yahweh's exclusive worship. The river, therefore, represents a place where divine justice is meted out against spiritual apostasy, cleansing the land from defilement.
* **Symbol of God's Sovereignty over Creation and History**: The unpredictable and powerful nature of the Kishon, capable of transforming from a gentle stream to a raging torrent, underscores God's absolute sovereignty. He controls the elements and can turn them into instruments of His will, demonstrating that no human power or technological advantage (like Sisera's iron chariots) can stand against Him. The Kishon illustrates that God works through both ordinary and extraordinary means to achieve His redemptive and punitive ends.
* **Contrast of Power**: The narratives involving the Kishon consistently highlight the stark contrast between human strength and divine power. Sisera's mighty chariots are rendered useless by the river, and the numerous prophets of Baal are powerless before the single prophet of Yahweh, culminating in their judgment at the Kishon.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קִישׁוֹן (Qîyshôwn, `{{H7028}}`) designates the Kishon River, a significant waterway in ancient Israel whose name likely reflects its "winding" or "snaring" character. Beyond its geographical identity, the Kishon holds profound theological significance in the biblical narrative. It is most famously associated with two pivotal events: the miraculous defeat of Sisera's Canaanite army by God's intervention, where the river's floodwaters swept away their chariots ([[Judges 4:7]], [[Judges 5:21]]), and Elijah's execution of the prophets of Baal following the contest on Mount Carmel ([[1 Kings 18:40]]). In both instances, the Kishon serves as a powerful instrument of divine judgment and purification, demonstrating God's sovereignty over creation and His active involvement in the history of His people, delivering them from oppression and purging idolatry from the land.
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