International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Kish

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Kish


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kish (קישׁ, ḳı̄sh; Κίς, Kı́s, Κείς, Keı́s, “bow,” “power”): The name of five persons mentioned in the Bible:

(1) The son of Abiel and the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. He was of the tribe of Benjamin, of the family of the Matrites (; ; compare ; ). According to and , “Ner begat Kish” By reading “Ner begat Abner” (compare ; ), the difficulty is at least partly overcome. In , Kish is also mentioned as the father of Saul, and again in , we are told that the sepulcher of Kish was located in the country of Benjamin, in Zela. His place of residence seems to have been at Gibeah.

(2) Another Kish is mentioned ( f; f) as the son of Jeiel and his wife Maacah. He is usually supposed to be the uncle of Saul's father.

(3) A Levite, the son of Mahli the Merarite ( f; compare ).

(4) Another Merarite Levite in the time of Hezekiah ().

(5) The great-grandfather of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin ().