כִּיס

# Understanding the Hebrew Word *Kis* (כִּיס) The Hebrew word *kis* refers to a purse—a container for carrying and storing items of value, particularly money. Based on its five occurrences in the biblical text, this was a functional object in everyday life during biblical times, serving the practical purpose of securing one's belongings while traveling or conducting transactions. The limited frequency of this word in the Hebrew Bible suggests that while purses were certainly used, the concept was not central to biblical narrative or instruction. Its appearance across only five instances indicates that biblical authors mentioned this item when relevant to a specific context—likely when describing someone's possessions, financial transactions, or travel preparations—rather than as a recurring theme. The straightforward definition leaves little ambiguity: *kis* denotes a simple container designed for holding valuables, reflecting the material realities of ancient Near Eastern life. This word exemplifies how biblical vocabulary includes practical, everyday objects alongside more theologically significant terms. Understanding *kis* provides insight into the concrete details of how people managed their resources in ancient times, though the rarity of its mention in surviving biblical texts suggests it was such a commonplace item that scribes felt little need to emphasize it unless a particular narrative moment required its mention.