The term "Kesitah" appears in the Bible as a unit of currency or weight, though its exact value and form remain somewhat obscure. The word is found in three key passages: Genesis 33:19, Job 42:11, and Joshua 24:32. In each instance, it is associated with transactions or gifts, indicating its use as a medium of exchange in ancient times.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 33:19 · "And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the plot of ground where he had pitched his tent." In this passage, the "pieces of money" are understood to be kesitahs. Jacob purchases a piece of land from the sons of Hamor, marking a significant moment as it establishes a foothold for his family in the Promised Land.

2. Job 42:11 · "Then all his brothers and sisters and former acquaintances came to him and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring." Here, the "piece of silver" is interpreted as a kesitah. After Job's trials, his friends and family bring him gifts, symbolizing restoration and blessing.

3. Joshua 24:32 · "And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of ground that Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants." This verse reiterates the transaction from Genesis, emphasizing the lasting significance of the land purchased with kesitahs.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The kesitah is believed to have been a form of currency used in the patriarchal period, though its precise nature—whether a coin, a weight, or another form of money—is not definitively known. Some scholars suggest it may have been a type of ingot or a stamped piece of metal, used before the widespread minting of coins. The use of kesitah in these biblical accounts highlights the economic practices of the time and the importance of land transactions in the narrative of the Israelite patriarchs.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of kesitah in these passages underscores themes of covenant, restoration, and inheritance. In Genesis, the purchase of land with kesitahs by Jacob signifies a tangible claim to the Promised Land, aligning with God's covenant promises. In Job, the giving of kesitahs represents the restoration of Job's fortunes and the reaffirmation of his social and familial ties. In Joshua, the burial of Joseph's bones in the land bought with kesitahs serves as a fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, linking the past with the future inheritance of the Israelites.

The kesitah, though a minor detail in the biblical text, serves as a reminder of the historical and spiritual continuity within the biblical narrative, reflecting the faithfulness of God in the lives of His people.(Genesis 33:19, R.V., marg., a Hebrew word, rendered, A.V., pl. "pieces of money, " marg., "lambs;" Joshua 24:32, "pieces of silver;" Job 42:11, "piece of money"). The kesitah was probably a piece of money of a particular weight, cast in the form of a lamb. The monuments of Egypt show that such weights were used. (see PIECES.) KESITAH

kes'-i-ta, ke-se'-ta (qesiTah).

See PIECE OF MONEY.

Kesitah (3 Occurrences)
... The kesitah was probably a piece of money of a particular weight, cast in the form
of a lamb. The monuments of Egypt show that such weights were used. ...KESITAH. ...
/k/kesitah.htm - 8k

Kesil (3 Occurrences)

/k/kesil.htm - 7k

Kesitahs (2 Occurrences)

/k/kesitahs.htm - 7k

Pieces (209 Occurrences)
... Joshua 24:32 (Hebrews kesitah, qv), supposed by some to have been a piece of money
bearing the figure of a lamb, but rather simply a certain amount. (Comp. ...
/p/pieces.htm - 40k

Buyeth (10 Occurrences)
... and he buyeth the portion of the field where he hath stretched out his tent, from
the hand of the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for a hundred kesitah; (YLT ...
/b/buyeth.htm - 9k

Coin (9 Occurrences)
... The "piece of money" mentioned in Job 42:11; Genesis 33:19 (marg., "lambs") was
the Hebrew kesitah, probably an uncoined piece of silver of a certain weight in ...
/c/coin.htm - 11k

Acquaintances (9 Occurrences)
... him in his house, and bemoan him, and comfort him concerning all the evil that Jehovah
had brought upon him, and they gave to him each one kesitah, and each ...
/a/acquaintances.htm - 9k

Stretched (234 Occurrences)
... and he buyeth the portion of the field where he hath stretched out his tent, from
the hand of the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for a hundred kesitah; (YLT ...
/s/stretched.htm - 38k

Former (107 Occurrences)
... him in his house, and bemoan him, and comfort him concerning all the evil that Jehovah
had brought upon him, and they gave to him each one kesitah, and each ...
/f/former.htm - 41k

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