Kish קִישׁ
An ancestor of Mordecai
Who is Kish in the Bible?
Kish was a Benjamite ancestor of Mordecai, the cousin and guardian of Queen Esther, as mentioned in Esther 2:5. According to the genealogical record, Mordecai was "the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite." This Kish should not be confused with Saul's father, who shared the same name and tribal affiliation. The reference to Kish in Mordecai's lineage establishes his Jewish heritage and connection to the tribe of Benjamin during the period when the Jewish people lived in exile under the Persian Empire. Though Kish himself appears only briefly in Scripture, his mention grounds the story of Esther in the historical reality of the Jewish diaspora and underscores the providence of God working through His people in foreign lands.
Biography
Kish is mentioned in Est.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.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEsther 1 verse
- 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."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | קִישׁ |