H3685 H3685
Orion (constellation); the great hunter bound in the heavens, associated with the Pleiades
Kesil designates the brilliant constellation Orion, often mentioned alongside the Pleiades in biblical astronomy. The name ironically uses the Hebrew word for 'fool,' though the connection to the constellation's name is obscure—perhaps relating to mythology about a presumptuous giant bound in the heavens. Job asks whether anyone can 'loose the cords of Orion,' apparently alluding to ancient Near Eastern myths about the mighty hunter Orion bound as a constellation. Isaiah speaks of multiple 'Orions,' meaning Orion and other brilliant constellations.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The constellation appears in wisdom and prophetic literature describing God's creative power. Job lists Orion alongside other constellations as evidence of God's wisdom (Job 9:9), and God himself asks Job, 'Can you loose the cords of Orion?' (Job 38:31), implying mythological bonds holding the constellation. Amos calls on Israel to seek God who 'made the Pleiades and Orion' (Amos 5:8). Isaiah warns that 'their Orions' (plural, meaning bright constellations) will not give their light in the day of judgment (Isa 13:10). Spanish Orión and French constellation track the astronomical identification, while German Tor (fool) in one instance preserves the literal meaning of the Hebrew word kesil, showing awareness of the semantic irony. 4×
AR["الجَبّارَ", "الْجَبَّارِ", "وَ-الجَبّارِ", "وَ-كَوَاكِبُهَا"]·ben["ও-কালপুরুষ", "ও-তাদের-নক্ষত্রমণ্ডলী", "কালপুরুষের", "মৃগশীর্ষমণ্ডল"]·DE["Tor", "[וכסיליהם]", "und-Tor"]·EN["Kesil", "Orion", "and-Orion", "and-their-constellations"]·FR["[וכסיליהם]", "et-constellation", "כסיל"]·heb["ו-כסיליהם", "וּ-כסיל", "כסיל"]·HI["और-उनके-नक्षत्र", "और-मृगशिरा", "मृगशिरा-की", "मृगशिरा-को"]·ID["Orion", "dan-Orion", "dan-rasi-rasinya"]·IT["Orione", "[וכסיל]", "[וכסיליהם]"]·jav["Orion", "lan-Orion", "lan-rasi-rasinipun"]·KO["그것들의-별자리들이", "그리고-오리온을", "오리온-과", "오리온의"]·PT["Orion", "Orião", "e-o-Órion", "e-suas-constelações"]·RU["Орион", "Ориона", "и-Орион", "и-созвездия-их"]·ES["Orión", "y-Orión", "y-sus-constelaciones"]·SW["Orioni", "na-Orioni", "na-makundi-yake", "za-Orioni"]·TR["Akrep'i", "Avcı'nın", "ve-Orion'u", "ve-takim-yildizlari"]·urd["اور-اُن-کے-برج", "اور-جبار-کو", "جبار کے", "جبّار-کو"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† II. כְּסִיל n.m. Orion (relation to above √ obscure);—Am 5:8 Jb 9:9; also משְׁכוֹת כ׳ תְּפַתֵּחַ 38:31 the cords of Orion wilt (canst) thou let out? (appar. some mythological allusion, v. Di Che, to giant bound in skies; cf. Hom Ὠρίωνα δοκεύει, and σθένος Ὠρίωνος); both times associated with the Pleiades; sf. כְּסִילֵיהֶם their Orions Is 13:10, Orion and other constellations of the same brilliancy.