### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H7029}}` (Qîyshîy) is a proper noun, specifically a personal name. Its base definition indicates derivation from the root `{{H6983}}` (qôsh), which conveys the primary meaning of "bowed" or "bent." As a personal name, "Kishi" therefore carries the semantic implication of one who is "bowed," "bent," or possibly "humble." While the root can describe a physical posture of bowing or stooping, when applied to a name, it often suggests a characteristic or an inherent quality. This could denote humility, reverence, submission, or even a state of affliction or lowliness. The precise nuance within the context of a name is often suggestive rather than explicitly defined, but the underlying concept of a "bowed" posture or disposition remains central.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Kishi (`{{H7029}}`) appears in the biblical text in a singular, yet significant, instance. It is found in:
* [[1 Chronicles 6:44]]: "And on the left hand were their brethren the Merarites: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch."
In this passage, Kishi is identified as the father of Ethan, a prominent Levite musician and one of the three chief choirmasters appointed by David for the temple service (alongside Heman and Asaph). Ethan, a descendant of Merari, is renowned for his wisdom and is associated with the composition of Psalm 89. The lineage provided in 1 Chronicles 6 traces the Levitical families responsible for the sacred music and service in the tabernacle and later the temple. The inclusion of Kishi in this esteemed lineage, as the progenitor of such a significant figure, places him within a line dedicated to the worship and service of Yahweh. The meaning of his name, "bowed," might subtly allude to a characteristic of humble service or reverent submission that was valued within this priestly and musical heritage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name `{{H7029}}` (Qîyshîy) is directly related to its root, `{{H6983}}` (qôsh), which means "to bow down" or "to stoop." This root often describes a physical posture of humility, reverence, or submission.
Other related proper nouns that share this same root and meaning include:
* `{{H7027}}` (Qîysh): "Kish," most famously the father of King Saul ([[1 Samuel 9:1]]), but also the name of a Merarite Levite, a contemporary or ancestor of the Kishi mentioned in 1 Chronicles ([[1 Chronicles 23:21]], [[1 Chronicles 24:29]]). The shared root and the Levitical connection suggest a possible familial or thematic link, reinforcing the idea of "bowed" as a characteristic within this lineage.
* `{{H6990}}` (Qûshâyâ): "Kushaiah," a Levite porter in David's time ([[1 Chronicles 15:17]]). This name is a slightly different formation but still derives from the same root, further emphasizing the concept of "bowing" or "humility" within the context of Levitical service.
The broader concepts related to `{{H7029}}` include:
* **Humility (עֲנָוָה, anavah):** The act of bowing often symbolizes humility and a recognition of one's place before God or others.
* **Reverence/Worship:** Bowing is a common posture of worship and reverence in the ancient Near East, signifying respect and adoration for the divine.
* **Service:** Within the Levitical context, "bowed" could imply a life dedicated to humble service in the sanctuary.
* **Submission:** A willingness to submit to divine will or authority.
### Theological Significance
While a proper name, the meaning of `{{H7029}}` (Kishi) carries subtle theological resonance, particularly within its Levitical context. The name "Bowed" or "Humble" for an ancestor in a line of temple musicians and servants suggests a characteristic highly valued in those who minister before God.
Theological implications include:
1. **The Posture of Worship:** The name evokes the physical act of bowing, a universal posture of worship, reverence, and adoration before the divine. For a Levite whose descendants were instrumental in temple music, this name might symbolize a profound and inherent disposition of worship.
2. **Humility in Service:** True service to God is often characterized by humility. Kishi's name could be seen as an embodiment of the humble spirit required for sacred duties. It suggests that those who serve in God's house must do so with a bowed heart, acknowledging God's sovereignty and their own dependence.
3. **Divine Election and Character:** The fact that such a name is preserved within a significant lineage implies that the characteristic it represents—humility or reverence—was deemed important by God or reflective of God's choice for those who would serve Him. It subtly points to the kind of character God seeks in His servants.
4. **A Legacy of Reverence:** Kishi's name, passed down through generations to figures like Ethan, may have served as a reminder of the foundational attitude required for their sacred calling: a life lived in humble submission and profound reverence before the Almighty.
### Summary
`{{H7029}}` (Qîyshîy), transliterated as Kishi, is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "bowed" or "bent," derived from the root `{{H6983}}` (qôsh). It appears once in the biblical text, in [[1 Chronicles 6:44]], identifying him as the father of Ethan, a prominent Merarite Levite and chief choirmaster in David's temple service. The name's meaning, "bowed," when applied to an ancestor in a lineage dedicated to sacred worship and music, subtly suggests the theological virtues of humility, reverence, and submission to God. It reflects a core disposition essential for those engaged in divine service, underscoring the importance of a "bowed" heart and spirit in approaching and ministering before the Holy One. Related names like `{{H7027}}` (Kish) and `{{H6990}}` (Kushaiah) reinforce this theme within the Levitical context.
TRV