Lexical Summary qesheb: Attention, heed, listening Original Word: קֶשֶׁב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance diligently, hearing, much heed, that regarded From qashab; a hearkening -- X diligently, hearing, much heed, that regarded. see HEBREW qashab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qashab Definition attentiveness NASB Translation close (1), close attention (1), paid attention (1), response (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קֶ֫שֶׁב noun masculine attentiveness; — קָ֑שֶׁב as sign of life 2 Kings 4:31, **(so read) Baer has קָשֵׁ֑ב; of a living deity 1 Kings 18:29; as accusative of congnate meaning with verb וְהִקְשִׁיב קֶשֶׁב רַבקָֿ֑שֶׁב Isaiah 21:7 he shall attend an attentiveness (give close attention), — abundance of attentiveness compare Isaiah 63:7; Psalm 145:7). Topical Lexicon Essence of the Wordקֶשֶׁב expresses an alert, expectant attentiveness. It pictures ears and heart leaning forward, waiting for a meaningful reply or signal. Negatively it can mark the tragic absence of such attention; positively it commands concentrated watchfulness. Canonical Occurrences 1 Kings 18 29 At Carmel the prophets of Baal cry out all day, but “there was no voice, no one answered, no one paid attention.” The term underscores the lifelessness of idols: the heavens remain silent and unmoved. 2 Kings 4 31 Gehazi lays Elisha’s staff on the Shunammite’s dead child, “but there was no sound or response.” Human effort apart from divine presence proves powerless. Isaiah 21 7 (twice) The watchman of Dumah receives the charge, “Let him pay close attention, very close attention.” The doubled form intensifies the vigilance required when God’s word concerning judgment approaches fulfillment. Historical and Literary Significance • Contest on Mount Carmel (Ninth-century B.C.)—קֶשֶׁב becomes a theological verdict: Baal elicits no heed because he possesses no life. The living LORD alone hears and answers. Theological Themes 1. The Hearing God versus Deaf Idols – Where קֶשֶׁב is absent, false worship is unmasked; the LORD’s covenant faithfulness shines by contrast when He answers with fire (1 Kings 18 38) and life (2 Kings 4 34–35). 2. Human Watchfulness before Divine Revelation – Isaiah’s watchman models the posture every servant must take: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Attentiveness is prerequisite to obedience. 3. Dependence on Personal Relationship – Gehazi’s failure reminds ministries that methods and tokens cannot replace prayerful intimacy with God. Mere procedure gains no קֶשֶׁב from heaven. Implications for Preaching and Discipleship • Encourage congregations to examine whether their prayers assume a living Listener or drift into Baal-like emptiness. Christological Perspective In the Gospels the Father twice declares from heaven, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him.” Jesus embodies God’s ultimate answer, fulfilling the longing implied by קֶשֶׁב. At the cross the silence of judgment falls on Him (“My God, why have You forsaken Me?”) so that, in His resurrection, believers may forever experience the attentive ear of the Father. Summary קֶשֶׁב threads through Scripture as a vital motif: authentic faith listens for—and receives—the living God’s response, while idolatry and self-reliance meet only silence. The call endures: “Pay close attention, very close attention.” Forms and Transliterations קֶ֖שֶׁב קָ֑שֶׁב קָֽשֶׁב׃ קשב קשב׃ Kashev Keshev qā·šeḇ qāšeḇ qe·šeḇ qešeḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 18:29 HEB: עֹנֶ֖ה וְאֵ֥ין קָֽשֶׁב׃ NAS: answered, and no one paid attention. KJV: nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. INT: answered no paid 2 Kings 4:31 Isaiah 21:7 Isaiah 21:7 4 Occurrences |
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