English · KJV
H7101

קָצִין

qâtsîyn /kaw-tseen'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom קָצָה in the sense of determining
Meaninga magistrate (as deciding) or other leader
KJV usagecaptain, guide, prince, ruler. Compare עֵת קָצִין.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of qâtsîyn — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word qâtsîyn, represented by H7101, is a term for a leader, derived from a root suggesting the act of determining or deciding. It is translated as a captain, guide, prince, or ruler. The word appears 12 times across 12 unique verses, indicating its specific but significant application in describing figures of authority.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H7101 is used to denote both military and civil leadership. In a military context, Joshua addresses the captains of the men of war Joshua 10:24, and the people of Gilead ask Jephthah to be their captain so they can fight their enemies Judges 11:6. In a civil or prophetic context, Isaiah addresses the corrupt rulers of Sodom Isaiah 1:10, and Micah rebukes the princes of the house of Israel for perverting justice Micah 3:9. The term can also describe a leader in a more general sense, as a proverb notes that an ant colony functions without a guide Proverbs 6:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Hebrew words help to define the scope of leadership and authority connected to H7101:

  • H7218 rôʼsh (head): This word often appears alongside qâtsîyn to emphasize a position of primary authority. The people made Jephthah both head and captain, signifying his supreme command Judges 11:11.
  • H7860 shôṭêr (overseer): This term describes an official superintendent or magistrate. It is used in a list with qâtsîyn to describe different facets of leadership that an ant lacks: a guide, overseer, or ruler Proverbs 6:7.
  • H4910 mâshal (ruler): This word, from a root meaning to rule, is also used in parallel with qâtsîyn. Proverbs 6:7 contrasts the self-governed ant with beings that require a guide, overseer, or ruler.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H7101 is tied to responsibility and function, particularly in critical times.

  • Appointed Authority: A qâtsîyn is often a leader appointed for a specific purpose. Jephthah was explicitly made captain to lead in battle Judges 11:6, and in a time of social ruin, a man is asked to become a ruler because he has clothing Isaiah 3:6.
  • Moral Accountability: The title carries significant moral responsibility. The prophets use the term to call leaders to account for their failure to uphold justice and equity, directly addressing the princes of Israel who "abhor judgment" Micah 3:9.
  • Leadership in Crisis: The word frequently appears in contexts of conflict or societal breakdown. The rulers of a besieged city are described as having fled together Isaiah 22:3, while in another instance, a man refuses to become a ruler over a people in ruin Isaiah 3:7.

Summary

In summary, H7101 is more than a generic title for a leader; it defines a functional and often appointed authority figure. Whether as a military captain, a civil prince, or a guiding force, the qâtsîyn is a decision-maker tasked with leading others. The term's usage highlights the critical need for just and decisive leadership, especially in times of war, judgment, and social distress.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 12 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • קְצִינֵי
  • קָצִין
  • קְצִין

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H7218 רֹאשׁ from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in man H7860 שֹׁטֵר active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implica H4910 מָשַׁל a primitive root; to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 12 verses across 6 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (4 verses); never once in the other 33.

1
Joshua
2
Judges
2
Proverbs
4
Isaiah
1
Daniel
2
Micah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.