Kis
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Introduction:
Kis is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily known as the father of King Saul, the first king of Israel. His lineage and role in the narrative of Israel's monarchy are significant in understanding the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy.

Genealogy and Background:
Kis, also spelled Kish, is identified as a Benjamite, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. His genealogy is outlined in 1 Samuel 9:1: "Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor." This lineage highlights his noble heritage and the valor associated with his family.

Role in the Narrative:
Kis is most prominently mentioned in the context of his son Saul's anointing as king. In 1 Samuel 9, Saul is described as a "choice and handsome young man" (1 Samuel 9:2), and it is during a search for his father's lost donkeys that Saul encounters the prophet Samuel. This meeting leads to Saul's anointing as the first king of Israel, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history.

Character and Influence:
While Kis himself is not a central character in the biblical narrative, his status as a "mighty man of valor" suggests a man of significant standing and influence within his tribe. His role as the father of Saul places him in the lineage of Israel's monarchy, and his family's prominence is underscored by the divine selection of Saul as king.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The tribe of Benjamin, to which Kis belonged, held a unique position among the tribes of Israel. Despite being one of the smaller tribes, Benjamin's strategic location and military prowess were notable. The selection of a Benjamite as the first king of Israel reflects the tribe's importance and the divine orchestration in the establishment of the monarchy.

Biblical References:
· 1 Samuel 9:1-2: Introduction of Kis and his son Saul.
· 1 Samuel 10:21: Reference to Saul, son of Kis, being chosen by lot as king.
· 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 1 Chronicles 9:39: Genealogical references to Kis in the context of Saul's family.

Theological Significance:
Kis's mention in the Bible, though brief, is significant in the broader narrative of God's plan for Israel. His lineage and the rise of his son Saul to kingship illustrate the transition from the tribal confederation under the judges to a centralized monarchy. This shift is a key theme in the books of Samuel, highlighting God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His purposes for His people.

Conclusion:
Kis, as the father of Saul, plays a foundational role in the history of Israel's monarchy. His legacy is primarily seen through his son, whose reign as king marks a new chapter in the biblical narrative. The account of Kis and his family serves as a reminder of God's providential guidance in the leadership of His people.
Greek
2797. Kis -- Kish, the father of King Saul
... 2796b, 2797. Kis. 2798 . ... Kish. Of Hebrew origin (Qiysh); Cis (ie Kish), an
Israelite -- Cis. see HEBREW Qiysh. (kis) -- 1 Occurrence. 2796b, 2797. Kis. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2797.htm - 6k

3488. Narkissos -- Narcissus, a Roman
... Narcissus, a Roman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Narkissos Phonetic
Spelling: (nar'-kis-sos) Short Definition: Narcissus Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3488.htm - 6k

44. agkistron -- a fishhook
... a fishhook. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: agkistron Phonetic Spelling:
(ang'-kis-tron) Short Definition: a fish-hook Definition: a fish-hook. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/44.htm - 6k

1845. exorkistes -- an exorcist
... an exorcist. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: exorkistes Phonetic
Spelling: (ex-or-kis-tace') Short Definition: an exorcist Definition: an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1845.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
3599. kis -- bag, purse
... 3598, 3599. kis. 3600 . bag, purse. Transliteration: kis Phonetic Spelling:
(keece) Short Definition: bag. ... 3598, 3599. kis. 3600 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3599.htm - 6k

3678. kisse -- seat of honor, throne
... 3677, 3678. kisse or kisseh. 3679 . seat of honor, throne. Transliteration:
kisse or kisseh Phonetic Spelling: (kis-say') Short Definition: throne. ...
/hebrew/3678.htm - 6k

3691. Kislev -- the ninth month of the Jewish calendar
... 3690, 3691. Kislev. 3692 . the ninth month of the Jewish calendar. Transliteration:
Kislev Phonetic Spelling: (kis-lave') Short Definition: Chislev. ...
/hebrew/3691.htm - 6k

3776. kisbah -- a ewe lamb
... 3775, 3776. kisbah. 3777 . a ewe lamb. Transliteration: kisbah Phonetic
Spelling: (kis-baw') Short Definition: lamb. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/3776.htm - 6k

3690. kislah -- stupidity, confidence
... 3689, 3690. kislah. 3691 . stupidity, confidence. Transliteration: kislah
Phonetic Spelling: (kis-law') Short Definition: confidence. ...
/hebrew/3690.htm - 6k

3696. Kisloth Tabor -- a place in Issachar
... Kisloth Tabor. 3697 . a place in Issachar. Transliteration: Kisloth Tabor Phonetic
Spelling: (kis-loth' taw-bore') Short Definition: Chisloth-tabor. ...
/hebrew/3696.htm - 6k

3692. Kislon -- a Benjamite
... 3691, 3692. Kislon. 3693 . a Benjamite. Transliteration: Kislon Phonetic
Spelling: (kis-lone') Short Definition: Chislon. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3692.htm - 6k

Library

Babylonia and Assyria
... En-sakkus-ana of Kengi conquered Kis, like one of his predecessors who had dedicated
the statue, the store of silver, and the furniture of the conquered prince ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Editor's Preface
... For a long while previously there had been war between Babylonia and the "Land of
the Bow," whose rulers seem to have established themselves in the city of Kis ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 1/editors preface.htm

Appendices
... BC4000. Ur-duggina. Lugal-suggur, vassal of Me-sa, king of Kis. Gursar. ...
Lugal-usum-gal, vassal of Sargon of Akkad. KINGS OF KIS. Me-sa. Enne-Ugun. Alusarsid. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Commendation of those who had Laid Aside the Practice of Swearing. ...
... VH ix. 19). [1400] poll?kis. But Sav. and M. polles, making the sense, "thou
wilt assuredly, even if unwilling, observing great sobriety.". ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ix commendation of those.htm

Thesaurus
Kis (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kis (1 Occurrence). Acts 13:21 Afterward they
asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish ...
/k/kis.htm - 6k

Kiseus
...kis-e'-us (Kiseus; Septuagint, Codex Vaticanus (Swete) reads Keisaios; the King
James Version, Cisai): The great-grandfather of Mordecai (Additions to Esther 11 ...
/k/kiseus.htm - 6k

Chisleu (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHISLEU; CHISLEV. kis'-lu, kis'-lev. See
KISLEV. Multi-Version Concordance Chisleu (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/chisleu.htm - 7k

Chislev (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHISLEU; CHISLEV. kis'-lu, kis'-lev. See
KISLEV. Multi-Version Concordance Chislev (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/chislev.htm - 7k

Kislev (2 Occurrences)
...kis'-lef (kiclew; the King James Version Chisleu, the Revised Version (British and
American) "Chislev"): The 9th month of the Jewish year, corresponding to ...
/k/kislev.htm - 7k

Kirjath-sepher (4 Occurrences)
Kirjath-sepher. Kirjathsepher, Kirjath-sepher. Kis . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(WBS YLT). Kirjathsepher, Kirjath-sepher. Kis . Reference Bible.
/k/kirjath-sepher.htm - 8k

Kish (18 Occurrences)
... kish (qish; Kis, Keis, "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. ...
/k/kish.htm - 15k

Chisloth-tabor (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHISLOTH-TABOR. kis-loth-ta'-bor, kiz'-loth. See
CHESULLOTH. Multi-Version Concordance Chisloth-tabor (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/chisloth-tabor.htm - 7k

Chislothtabor (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHISLOTH-TABOR. kis-loth-ta'-bor, kiz'-loth. See
CHESULLOTH. Multi-Version Concordance Chislothtabor (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/chislothtabor.htm - 7k

Chislon (1 Occurrence)
... CHISLON. kis'-lon, kiz'-lon (kiclon, "strength"): A prince of Benjamin, the father
of Elidad (Numbers 34:21). Multi-Version Concordance Chislon (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/chislon.htm - 6k

Resources
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Concordance
Kis (1 Occurrence)

Acts 13:21
Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
(Root in WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Kis

Related Terms

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Kis (1 Occurrence)

Cisai

Kirjath-Sepher: General Scriptures Concerning
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