Original Word: קָצִין
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: qatsiyn
Pronunciation: kah-tseen
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tseen')
KJV: captain, guide, prince, ruler
NASB: rulers, chief, ruler, chiefs, commander
Word Origin: [from H7096 (קָצָה - cut off) in the sense of determining]

1. a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader

captain, guide, prince, ruler

From qatsah in the sense of determining; a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader -- captain, guide, prince, ruler. Compare Eth Qatsiyn.

see HEBREW qatsah

see HEBREW Eth Qatsiyn

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a chief, ruler
NASB Translation
chief (3), chiefs (1), commander (1), ruler (3), rulers (4).

קָצִין noun masculine^{Daniel 11:18} chief, ruler (properly decider, compare Dr^{Daniel 11:8}); — absolute ׳ק Judges 11:6 +; construct קְצִּין Isaiah 3:7; plural construct קְעִינֵי Isaiah 1:40 +; suffix קְצִינַיִח Isaiah 22:3; —

1 chief, commander in war Joshua 10:24 (JE), Judges 11:6,11 ("" ראֹשׁ), Daniel 11:18.

2 dictator, Isaiah 3:67.

3 more Generally, ruler, man in authority, Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 22:3; Micah 3:1,9; of ants, ׳אֵין ק Proverbs 6:7 (+שֹׁטֵר, משֵׁל). — Proverbs 25:15 read probably קֶצֶף (Toy).

קְצָוֺת see קְצָת. above

קצח (√ of following; meaning unknown; Late Hebrew קֶצַח = Biblical Hebrew; Arabic , seeds used for seasoning).

Identity and Scope of the Title

The Hebrew title קָצִין functions as a general designation for one who occupies a position of authority. The term embraces military commanders (Joshua 10:24), civil governors (Isaiah 1:10), judicial officials (Micah 3:1), and political figureheads pressed into service during national crises (Isaiah 3:6–7). Its range demonstrates that leadership in ancient Israel was not compartmentalized; the same individuals often bore overlapping responsibilities for warfare, justice, and administration.

Military Command in the Era of Conquest and Judges

Joshua 10:24 records Joshua summoning the “commanders of the men of war” to place their feet on the necks of defeated Canaanite kings. This scene highlights the martial aspect of קָצִין as one who both directs troops and publicly displays victory granted by the LORD. During the Judges period, the elders of Gilead appealed to Jephthah, “Come, be our commander, so we can fight against the Ammonites” (Judges 11:6). After negotiation, “the people made him their ruler and commander” (Judges 11:11). The same word spans the spectrum from emergency military leadership to recognized civil governance, underscoring the divinely sanctioned flexibility of Israel’s leadership structure in turbulent times.

Administrative and Judicial Leadership

Proverbs employs the term in two contrasting settings. Proverbs 6:7 marvels that the ant “has no commander, no overseer or ruler,” implying that human society ordinarily requires structured leadership. Conversely, Proverbs 25:15 commends patience and gentle speech as effective means to sway a “ruler,” reminding God’s people that influence over those in power is possible without coercion.

Micah’s indictments—“Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel” (Micah 3:1; cf. 3:9)—reveal that קָצִין carried judicial weight. These rulers were expected to “know justice,” yet they abhorred it. The prophetic rebuke affirms that the authority conveyed by the title is derivative; leaders answer ultimately to God for the care of His people.

Leadership in Crisis: Isaiah’s Portrait

Isaiah 3 sketches social disintegration in Jerusalem. A desperate populace urges anyone with a cloak, “You be our leader” (Isaiah 3:6). Yet the reluctant respondent pleads, “Do not make me the leader of the people” (Isaiah 3:7). The passage illustrates how the dignity of קָצִין can be hollowed out when God’s judgment removes competent leadership. Isaiah 22:3 further laments, “All your leaders have fled together,” showing that when leaders abandon their posts, the nation is left exposed.

By contrast, Isaiah 1:10 equates Judah’s corrupt rulers with those of Sodom, sharpening the prophetic critique: moral depravity among leaders invites covenantal censure.

International Dimension

Daniel 11:18 anticipates a Mediterranean campaign of a Hellenistic king, thwarted when “a commander will put an end to his reproach.” Here the term crosses Israel’s borders, attesting that God’s providence extends to Gentile powers and their officers.

Spiritual and Pastoral Implications

1. Divine Delegation: Every קָצִין—whether judge, magistrate, or general—operates under God’s ultimate sovereignty. Failure to acknowledge this accountability leads to oppression and eventual removal (Isaiah 3; Micah 3).

2. Influence through Righteous Speech: “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded” (Proverbs 25:15). The believer’s opportunity to shape policy or counsel authority is affirmed.

3. Need for God-given Leadership: The ant’s self-ordering (Proverbs 6:7) highlights human dependency on leadership, ultimately fulfilled in the Shepherd-King promised throughout Scripture.

4. Foreshadowing the Perfect Ruler: Earthly קְצִינִים, with their mixture of strength and frailty, anticipate the flawless governance of the Messiah, “the Prince of Peace,” whose rule secures both justice and victory.

Contemporary Ministry Applications

• Pray for those in civil and military office, recognizing the weight of stewardship implicit in קָצִין.

• Uphold biblical standards of justice and compassion in any leadership role, mirroring God’s expectations of ancient rulers.

• Employ gentle, persuasive communication when addressing authorities, trusting the wisdom of Proverbs 25:15.

• Teach congregations that earthly leadership is provisional; ultimate hope rests in Christ, the unfailing Commander who will consummate God’s kingdom.

וּלְקָצִ֑ין וּקְצִינֵ֖י ולקצין וקציני לְקָצִ֑ין לקצין קְצִ֥ין קְצִינֵ֞י קְצִינֵ֣י קְצִינַ֥יִךְ קָצִ֑ין קָצִ֖ין קָצִ֗ין קָצִ֤ין קצין קציני קציניך kaTzin keTzin ketziNayich ketziNei lə·qā·ṣîn lekaTzin ləqāṣîn qā·ṣîn qāṣîn qə·ṣî·na·yiḵ qə·ṣî·nê qə·ṣîn qəṣîn qəṣînayiḵ qəṣînê ū·lə·qā·ṣîn ū·qə·ṣî·nê uketziNei ulekaTzin ūləqāṣîn ūqəṣînêInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts