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.)
- KETTLE a large pot for cooking. The same Hebrew word (dud, “boiling”)
is rendered also “pot” (Psalm 81:6), “caldron” (2 Chronicles 35:13),
“basket” (Jeremiah 24:2). It was used for preparing the peace-offerings (1
Samuel 2:13, 14). - KETURAH incense, the wife of Abraham, whom he married probably
after Sarah’s death (Genesis 25:1-6), by whom he had six sons, whom he
sent away into the east country. Her nationality is unknown. She is styled
“Abraham’s concubine” (1 Chronicles 1:32). Through the offshoots of the
Keturah line Abraham became the “father of many nations.” - KEY frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is called in Hebrew maphteah,
i.e., the opener (Judges 3:25); and in the Greek New Testament kleis, from
its use in shutting (Matthew 16:19; Luke 11:52; Revelation 1:18, etc.).
Figures of ancient Egyptian keys are frequently found on the monuments,
also of Assyrian locks and keys of wood, and of a large size (comp. Isaiah
22:22).
The word is used figuratively of power or authority or office (Isaiah 22:22;
Revelation 3:7; Revelation 1:8; comp. 9:1; 20:1; comp. also Matthew
16:19; 18:18). The “key of knowledge” (Luke 11:52; comp. Matthew
23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of
God. The “power of the keys” is a phrase in general use to denote the
extent of ecclesiastical authority.
- KEZIA cassia, the name of Job’s second daughter (42:14), born after
prosperity had returned to him. - KEZIZ abrupt; cut off, a city of the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:21).
- KIBROTH-HATTAAVAH the graves of the longing or of lust, one of the
stations of the Israelites in the wilderness. It was probably in the Wady
Murrah, and has been identified with the Erweis el-Ebeirig, where the
remains of an ancient encampment have been found, about 30 miles
north-east of Sinai, and exactly a day’s journey from ‘Ain Hudherah.
“Here began the troubles of the journey. First, complaints broke out
among the people, probably at the heat, the toil, and the privations of the