Lexical Summary kasher: Proper, fitting, suitable, right Original Word: כָּשֵׁר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance direct, be right, prosper A primitive root properly, to be straight or right; by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper -- direct, be right, prosper. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be advantageous, proper, or suitable, to succeed NASB Translation giving success (1), proper (1), succeed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כָּשֵׁר verb be advantageous, proper, suitable, succeed, late Aramaic (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כְּשָׁר,  ); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular וְכָשֵׁר הַדָּבָר לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ Esther 8:5 and the thing be proper in the view of the king; Imperfect יִכְשָׁר֨ Ecclesiastes 11:6 thou knowest not whether this shall succeed, or this. Hiph`il Infinitive construct וְיִתְרוֺן הַכְשֵׁיר חָכְמָה Ecclesiastes 10:10 an advantage for giving success is wisdom. Topical Lexicon Conceptual Meaning The verb and adjective כָּשֵׁר portray something that is fitting, advantageous, or well-suited to accomplish its intended purpose. In Scripture the term points beyond mere convenience toward moral or practical fitness that accords with the providential order established by God. Occurrences and Literary Contexts 1. Esther 8:5 presents the word in the diplomatic appeal of Queen Esther: “if the matter seems right to the king.” Here כָּשֵׁר assesses political action—revoking Haman’s decree—as ethically and practically sound. The verse links suitability to royal justice, revealing how God safeguards His people through decisions that are כָּשֵׁר in a court otherwise hostile to covenant faith. Themes of Moral and Practical Fitness Esther shows the term’s ethical dimension: a plan is right when it aligns with covenant justice and protects the righteous. Ecclesiastes draws out the pragmatic dimension: work is successful when done with diligence, foresight, and skill. Together, they teach that genuine success marries upright intent with thoughtful execution. Providence and Human Responsibility Ecclesiastes 11:6 balances diligence and uncertainty. People sow seed “in the morning” and again “in the evening” because only God knows which enterprise will be כָּשֵׁר. The call is neither to passivity nor to presumptuous control but to faithful labor under divine sovereignty. Esther 8:5 illustrates that human petition and courage still matter; God’s providence employs Esther’s appeal to bring about a כָּשֵׁר verdict. Wisdom Literature Perspective In Ecclesiastes the vocabulary of success is deliberately tethered to wisdom rather than luck. A dull axe demands “more strength,” but “skill”—literally that which makes an implement כָּשֵׁר—“will bring success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Wisdom, therefore, is the sharpening stone that renders human effort genuinely effective. Historical Significance The Persian court scene of Esther 8 shows the Jewish community on the brink of extermination. The reversal comes when the king deems Esther’s proposal כָּשֵׁר. The word marks the pivot of salvation history in the book, highlighting how seemingly routine bureaucratic language conveys epoch-shaping deliverance for God’s people. Christological and Redemptive Trajectory The Old Testament concept of כָּשֵׁר foreshadows the New Testament assertion that ultimate rightness is found in Christ, “who became to us wisdom from God—our righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Human plans find their true fitness only as they align with His mediatorial reign. Pastoral and Homiletical Applications • Decision-making: Ask not merely “Is this permissible?” but “Is this כָּשֵׁר—morally sound and wisely fitted to God’s purposes?” Conclusion Across its three appearances כָּשֵׁר unites moral rectitude with practical effectiveness, urging covenant people to pursue actions that are both righteous and wisely executed while resting in God’s sovereign oversight of every result. Forms and Transliterations הַכְשֵׁ֖יר הכשיר וְכָשֵׁ֤ר וכשר יִכְשָׁר֙ יכשר hachSheir haḵ·šêr haḵšêr vechaSher wə·ḵā·šêr wəḵāšêr yichShar yiḵ·šār yiḵšārLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Esther 8:5 HEB: חֵ֣ן לְפָנָ֗יו וְכָשֵׁ֤ר הַדָּבָר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י NAS: him and the matter [seems] proper to the king KJV: and the thing [seem] right before INT: favor before proper and the matter before Ecclesiastes 10:10 Ecclesiastes 11:6 3 Occurrences |
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