An ancestor of Mordecai
Kish
Named in 1 verse of Esther, first in Esther 2:5.
קִישׁKish
The name means “hard; difficult; straw; for age.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Children
- Shimei
About Kish Written by AI
Kish is mentioned in Esther 2:5 as an ancestor of Mordecai, a prominent Jewish figure in the Persian court during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). Mordecai is introduced as "the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite." This genealogical reference to Kish establishes Mordecai's lineage within the tribe of Benjamin. It is important to note that this Kish is not the same person as Saul's father, who was also named Kish and was from the tribe of Benjamin. The mention of Kish in Mordecai's ancestry provides a connection to the tribe of Benjamin and emphasizes the Jewish identity of Mordecai and his family, who were living in exile in the Persian Empire. Apart from this brief mention in the genealogy of Mordecai, no further information is provided about this particular Kish or his life. His inclusion in the lineage serves to establish Mordecai's background and heritage as a Benjamite Jew living in the diaspora.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Kish, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
A bow. (1.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chr. 23:21; 24:29).
(2.) A Benjamite of Jerusalem (1 Chr. 8:30; 9:36).
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(3.) A Levite in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:12).
(4.) The great-grandfather of Mordecai (Esther 2:5).
(5.) A Benjamite, the son of Abiel, and father of king Saul (1 Sam. 9:1, 3; 10:11, 21; 14:51; 2 Sam. 21:14). All that is recorded of him is that he sent his son Saul in search of his asses that had strayed, and that he was buried in Zelah. Called Cis, Acts 13:21 (R.V., Kish).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Esther 2:5
Now there was at the citadel of Susa a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.