Lexical Summary qoshet: Bow Original Word: קשֶׁט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance truth Or qosht {kosht}; from an unused root meaning to balance; equity (as evenly weighed), i.e. Reality -- truth. Brown-Driver-Briggs ק֫שֶׁט noun [masculine ?] bow; — Psalm 60:6, Aramaic form of קֶשֶׁת, q. v. (ט for ת after ק). קשׁט (√ of following; compare Palmyrene קשט succeed; Aramaic קְשׁוֺפ, קֻשְׁטָא right, truth; Syriac קשְׁטְ noun masculine truth; — Proverbs 22:21 (according to Toy Aramaic gloss to following אִמְרֵי אֱמֶת). קְשִׁי, קִשְׁוֺן, see I. קשׁה. Topical Lexicon OccurrencesSemantic Range and Emphasis The term denotes truth that is not merely factual but straight, accurate, and reliable. It carries the idea of something so exact that it can serve as a standard or plumb line. Unlike the broader Hebrew words for “truth” (such as ’emet), this word highlights precision and integrity that can be publicly tested. Historical Setting in Psalm 60:4 David’s lament over military reverses turns toward confidence: “You have raised a banner for those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” The banner symbolizes rallying under God’s unfailing reliability. In a culture where victory banners identified the patron deity, Israel’s banner proclaimed that the Lord’s truth—not national might—was the decisive factor. The verse therefore links divine fidelity with covenant protection, embedding the term in Israel’s military worship and liturgy. Pedagogical Purpose in Proverbs 22:21 The collection of “Thirty Sayings of the Wise” culminates: “to show you true and reliable words, that you may give a sound answer to those who sent you.” Truth here is the benchmark for instruction, guarding both teacher and hearer from distortion. Wisdom literature thus grounds ethical formation in objective, verifiable accuracy, anticipating the prophetic insistence that words must match reality (compare Jeremiah 9:5). Theological Themes 1. God as the Source of Truth: Psalm 60 locates steadfast truth in the character of God, echoing Deuteronomy 32:4. Relation to Other Biblical Concepts • ’Emet (truth/firmness) stresses stability; the present term stresses accuracy. Practical and Ministry Applications • Preaching: Hold forth Scripture as an unfurled banner, confident that God’s truth both rallies and protects the faithful. Christological Trajectory The Old Testament banner of truth anticipates the incarnate Truth who gathers His people under His cross (John 12:32). Proverbs’ call for accurate testimony prefigures the apostles’ mandate to bear witness “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Thus, the word’s rare appearances serve as strategic signposts pointing to the fullness of truth revealed in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations קֹ֣שֶׁט קֹ֭שְׁטְ קשט Koshet qō·šeṭ qō·šəṭ qōšeṭ qōšəṭLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 60:4 HEB: לְהִתְנוֹסֵ֑ס מִ֝פְּנֵ֗י קֹ֣שֶׁט סֶֽלָה׃ NAS: because of the truth. Selah. KJV: because of the truth. Selah. INT: may be displayed because of the truth Selah Proverbs 22:21 2 Occurrences |
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id., ChrPalAramaic 
TRUE, Mandean כשט be true, see SchwIdioticon 86; Arabic 
equity, justice is loan-word (see Frä206)).