Bible Dictionaries
Kish

Holman Bible Dictionary

(kihssh) Personal name of unknown meaning, perhaps “gift.” 1. Father of Saul (1 Samuel 9:2 ). A man of the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Gibeah. He is said to have been the son of Abiel (1 Samuel 9:1 ) and the son of Ner (1 Chronicles 8:33 ). Some think he was the grandson of Abiel and son of Ner. He was apparently a man of wealth, owning both asses and servants (1 Samuel 9:3 ). The description of Saul as being from the humblest family of the tribe of Benjamin is probably a good example of oriental modesty (1 Samuel 9:21 ). He was buried in Zela of Benjamin, where Saul and Jonathan were buried (2 Samuel 21:14 ).

2. A Benjaminite, the third son of Jeiel of Gibeon and Maacah (1 Chronicles 8:29-30; 1 Chronicles 9:35-36 ). 3 . The second son of Mahli who belonged to the Merari family of Levites. Kish's sons married his brother's daughters (1 Chronicles 23:21-22 ). Kish's son, Jerahmeel, became the head of the family of Kish (1 Chronicles 24:29 ). 4 . Son of Abdi, also of the Merari family of Levites. He assisted in cleansing the Temple during the time of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:12 ). 5 . The Benjaminite ancestor of Mordecai (Esther 2:5 ).