Lexical Summary Qishyon: Kishon Original Word: קִשְׁיוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Kishion, Keshon From qshiy; hard ground; Kishjon, a place in Palestine -- Kishion, Keshon. see HEBREW qshiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qashah Definition a city in Issachar NASB Translation Kishion (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs קִשְׁיוֺן proper name, of a location Levit city in Issachar, Joshua 19:20; Joshua 21:28 (in "" 1 Chronicles 6:57 קֶדֶשׁ q. v.); Κεισων, ᵐ5L Κεσιων, A Κεσ’, Κισ’. II. קשׁה (√ of following meaning dubious; Thes decorticavit, = Arabic Topical Lexicon Etymology and Variants Renderings in English Bibles include Kishion, Kishyon, and in some versions Kishon (not to be confused with the river). The form “Kishion” is retained in the Berean Standard Bible. Geographical Setting Kishion lay within the fertile Plain of Jezreel, south-west of Mount Tabor and north of Mount Gilboa. The strategic east–west corridor of the plain connected Galilee with the coastal highway, making any settlement there valuable for trade and for controlling troop movements. A number of scholars associate the site with Tel Abu Qishyun (Tel Qissis) or nearby tells that command views of the valley and the Kishon River to the north-west. Tribal Allotment The fourth territorial lot fell to Issachar (Joshua 19:17). In the list of towns defining its inheritance, Scripture states, “Rabbit, Kishion, Ebez” (Joshua 19:20). Thus the city belonged originally to Issachar, whose lands formed the northern gateway to the hill country of Ephraim and Manasseh. Levitical City Kishion was subsequently set apart for the Gershonite branch of the Levites. “From the tribe of Issachar they were given Kishion, Daberath” (Joshua 21:28). As with other Levitical cities, its surrounding pasturelands were also assigned (Numbers 35:2). The transfer underlines two broader theological themes: Biblical Narrative and Theology Though Kishion itself is mentioned only in Joshua, its inclusion in the Levitical list speaks to the unity of Israel’s worship. Every tribe, including Issachar, surrendered prime land to uphold the Lord’s centralized worship and teaching—a tangible reminder that the inheritance of the Levites was the LORD (Joshua 13:33). The city consequently functioned as a local center for justice, instruction, and possibly temporary refuge, reinforcing covenant identity amid the agricultural bustle of the Jezreel. Historical and Archaeological Insights Surface surveys around probable sites reveal Iron Age pottery consistent with early Israelite occupation. Tel Abu Qishyun exhibits a defensible summit and water sources suitable for a modest fortified town. Its location near the Kishon River and major trade routes aligns with the biblical situation: accessible enough for pastoral Levites yet prominent enough to influence the surrounding rural population. Ministry Significance Today 1. Stewardship and Generosity: Issachar’s willingness to cede territory for the Levites challenges modern believers to prioritize gospel ministry over personal possession. In sum, Kishion stands as a small yet instructive testimony to the ordered life of covenant Israel and to the Lord’s enduring concern that His Word be taught in every corner of the land. Forms and Transliterations וְקִשְׁי֖וֹן וקשיון קִשְׁי֖וֹן קשיון kishYon qiš·yō·wn qišyōwn vekishYon wə·qiš·yō·wn wəqišyōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:20 HEB: וְהָֽרַבִּ֥ית וְקִשְׁי֖וֹן וָאָֽבֶץ׃ NAS: and Rabbith and Kishion and Ebez, KJV: And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez, INT: and Rabbith and Kishion and Ebez Joshua 21:28 2 Occurrences |
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