קשת
késhet/ˈkeʃet/
In Hebrew, the word for bow is קשת (késhet).
Meaning: to bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference (verb)
Which one should you use?
While קשת is the weapon, the physical gesture of bending forward at the waist (a bow) is expressed by the word קידה. Additionally, the phrase לְחִי הַחַרְטוֹם is used to refer to the bow (the front) of a boat or ship.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun קשת is קשתות.
How do you pronounce it?
késhet (/ˈkeʃet/)
Did you know?
- In Hebrew, the word קשת can also refer to a 'spectral' or 'rainbow-colored' range of colors, similar to the English 'spectrum'.
- The word קשת shares a common linguistic root with the Arabic word قَوْس and the Amharic ቀስት.
- In ancient Hebrew texts, the קשת was often used as a symbol of a covenant between God and humanity.
Examples in context
- קשת בלי חיצים לא שווה כלום.A bow is no use without arrows.This sentence demonstrates the use of קשת in the context of a weapon.Tatoeba #2356549 by fekundulo, translation #522690 by blay_paul
- עד שהיה בן שבע כבר עשה לעצמו קשת וחצים משלו.By the age of seven, he had already made his own bow and arrows.This sentence shows how קשת is used when referring to the object made for archery.Tatoeba #696206 by Eldad, translation #326770 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a traditional ceremony.
- עידו Idoהאם הם צריכים לקשת את הגב לפני המלך?Ha'im hem tsrichim lekashet et hagav lifnei hamelech?Do they need to bow before the king?
- רוטם Rotemכן, זה חלק מהטקס המסורתי.Ken, ze chelek mehatakes hamasorti.Yes, it is part of the traditional ceremony.
- עידו Idoזה נראה מאוד רשמי.Ze nir'a me'od rashmi.It looks very formal.
- רוטם Rotemבדיוק, הם פשוט קשת את גבם ושלום.Bediyuk, hem pashut kashetu et gavam veshalom.Exactly, they simply bowed their backs and that's it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry קשת, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries קשת, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
