Proverbs 20:28 — Word Study
WLCחֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יִצְּרוּ־ מֶ֑לֶךְ וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ׃
BSALoving devotionchêçêd [kindness, mercy, or pity] and faithfulnessʼemeth [truth, stability] preservenâtsar▸ a kingmelek [royal person, ruler] by thesechêçêd [upright acts, righteous deeds] he maintainsçâʻad his thronekiççêʼ [seat of power, authority, established by mercy, upheld by kindness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חֶ֣סֶד | loyalty | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וֶ֭אֱמֶת | and faithfulness | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| יִצְּרוּ־ | they preserve | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| מֶ֑לֶךְ | a king | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְסָעַ֖ד | and he sustains | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
| בַּחֶ֣סֶד | by loyalty | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| כִּסְאֽוֹ׃ | throne his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne. |
| KJV | Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. |
| ASV | Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness. |
| YLT | Kindness and truth keep a king, And he hath supported by kindness his throne. |
| WEB | Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love. |
| BBE | Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts. |
Where they part company is חֶ֣סֶד — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase and a verb phrase, illustrating the relationship between the qualities of loyalty and faithfulness and their impact on a king's authority.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָצַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 20:28
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom for Kingshipgenerated
Proverbs 20:28 emphasizes the importance of loving devotion and faithfulness in leadership. It teaches that these qualities are crucial for a king to maintain his throne, suggesting that a ruler's stability is rooted in moral character and upright actions. This aligns with the broader themes of Proverbs, which often highlight the virtues necessary for wise governance and the consequences of moral failure.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 16:6 | By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil. |
| 2 | Psalm 61:7 | May he sit enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness to guard him. |
| 3 | Psalm 101:1 | I will sing of Your loving devotion and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises. |
| 4 | Proverbs 16:12 | Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. |
| 5 | Proverbs 29:14 | A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חֶ֣סֶד, Che.sedgenerated
The word חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. In this verse, it underscores the significance of loyalty and mercy in a king's reign.
It is a noun that conveys a sense of enduring love and commitment, reflecting the divine attribute of God's lovingkindness. The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun, suggesting a strong, individual quality that is essential for leadership.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses loving devotion and faithfulness to translate חֶ֣סֶד and אֱמֶת, respectively.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יִצְּרוּ (they preserve) governs the main clause, with a noun phrase מֶ֑לֶךְ (a king) as the subject, and a prepositional phrase בַּחֶ֣סֶד (by loyalty) indicating the means by which the action is accomplished.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between the qualities of loyalty and faithfulness and their role in sustaining a ruler's authority, illustrating how these virtues are foundational to effective leadership.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חֶ֣סֶד as ἐλεημοσύνη (mercy), which indicates a focus on the compassionate aspect of loyalty. This choice aligns with the overall theme of the verse that emphasizes the importance of moral character in leadership.
For אֱמֶת, the LXX uses ἀλήθεια (truth), which reflects the steadfastness and reliability that are essential for a king's reign.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 20:28 teaches that a king's stability relies on loving devotion and faithfulness. These qualities help him maintain his authority and uphold his throne, emphasizing the importance of kindness and truth in leadership.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Loving devotion refers to the kindness and mercy that a ruler should embody, which helps to create a stable and just reign.
Faithfulness signifies truth and reliability, essential traits for a leader to earn the trust of their people and maintain order.
These qualities ensure that a king's actions are just and compassionate, which in turn fosters loyalty and respect among his subjects.
This verse highlights that effective leadership is built on moral character, emphasizing the need for kindness and truthfulness in all aspects of governance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I demonstrate loving devotion in my relationships?
- How does faithfulness play a role in my commitments and responsibilities?
- What qualities do I believe are essential for effective leadership?
- How can I apply the principles of this verse in my daily life?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 20:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMercy and truth preserve the king,.... Which are two good qualifications in a prince; not ruling his subjects with rigour and cruelty, but with tenderness and clemency; easing them as much as he can
Read John Gill on Proverbs 20 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. Mercy (toward the miserable and needy) and truth (in fulfilling his word) preserve the king.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 20 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMercy; clemency to offenders, and bounty to worthy and to indigent persons; and truth; faithfulness in keeping his word and promises inviolably; preserve the king, because they engage God to guard him, and gain him the reverence and affections of his people, which is a king’ s greatest safety and happiness. Mercy is again mentioned, to show that although it be an act of grace, and therefore in some sort free, yet princes are obliged to it, both by their duty and by their interest, because it is a singular means of their preservation.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 20 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.Ver. 28. Mercy and truth preserve the king.] These are the best guard of his body, and supporters of his throne. Mildness and righteousness, lenity and fidelity, do more safe guard a prince than munitions of rocks, or any warlike preparations, amidst which Henry IV of France perished, when Queen Elizabeth of England lived and died with glory. That French king, being persuaded by the Duke of Sully not to readmit the Jesuits, answered, Give me then security for my life. But he was shortly after stabbed to death by their instigation. When our queen, that stuck fast to her principles, was not more loved of her…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 20 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28) Mercy and truth preserve the king.—See above on Proverbs 3:3. The love and faithfulness he shows to his subjects draw out the same qualities in them, and these are the safeguard of his throne. So (Psalms 130:4) the mercy shown by God inspires man with a reverent fear of Him, while harshness might have made him a slave, or driven him through despair into rebellion. (Comp. Jeremiah 33:9.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 20 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 28. Mercy and truth preserve the king] These are the brightest jewels in the royal crown; and those kings who are most governed by them have the stablest government.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 20 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible28. Mercy and truth — Or, goodwill and truth: truth, goodwill, and kindness towards his subjects — truth and faithfulness in all his dealings with them — will secure the approbation and admiration of
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 20 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love.
Tyndale line
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by mercy.
Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
Strictly literal
Mercy and truth preserve the king; and he upholdeth his throne by mercy.
Kindness and truth keep a king, And he hath supported by kindness his throne.
Kindness and truth keep a king, || And he has supported his throne by kindness.
Kindness and truth will watch over a king, and he will prop up through kindness his throne.
Covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness preserve the king; his throne is made secure by love.
From the Latin
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
Simplified
Trustworthy love and faithfulness keep a king safe; trustworthy love supports his rule.
Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of חֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יִצְּרוּ־ מֶ֑לֶךְ וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ׃. The Septuagint matches all seven words of the Hebrew text, indicating a strong correspondence between the two versions.
חֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יִצְּרוּ־ מֶ֑לֶךְ וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 20:28
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
אֱמֶת (emeth) encompasses concepts of firmness, faithfulness, and truth. It signifies reliability and stability, often in the context of ethical or religious knowledge. The word can also function as an adverb meaning 'in truth' or 'truly.' There is a consistent emphasis on its meanings related to certainty and trustworthiness across the entries.
אֱמֶת n.f. firmness, faithfulness
reliability, sureness
stability, continuance
faithfulness, reliableness
truth
adv. in truth, truly
base
H571 אֱמֶת firmness, faithfulness . reliability, sureness
. stability, continuance
. faithfulness, reliableness
. truth
. adv. in truth, truly
571 'emeth eh'-meth
contracted from 539; stability; (figuratively) certainty,
truth, trustworthiness:--assured(-ly), establishment,
faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
see HEBREW for 0539
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: faithful.
: faithful
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: true.
: true
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: certain.
: certain/fixed
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
An infinite attribute of Jehovah; adapted to make perfect both the confidence of those who believe his word and rely on his promises, and the despair of those who doubt his word and defy his threatenings, De 28:26 Nu 23:19 Ps 89:33-34 Heb 10:23.
→ EXHORTATION TO Ps 12:1; 31:23; Pr 20:6; 28:20; Mt 10:22; 24:45-47; 25:14-23; Lu 12:42-44; 16:10-12; 19:12-27; 1Co 4:2; Re 2:10
See OBEDIENCE, EXHORTATION TO
See PERSEVERANCE
See MINISTERS, FAITHFUL
See REPROOF, FAITHFULNESS IN
→ INSTANCES OF
Abraham Ga 3:9
Moses Heb 3:5
David 2Sa 22:22-25
Elijah 1Ki 19:10,14
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.
[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal
Watch, guard, keep
Guard from dangers, preserve
Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Guard, keep secret
Keep close, blockaded
base
H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep
. Guard from dangers, preserve
. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
. Guard, keep secret
. Keep close, blockaded
5341 natsar naw-tsar'
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,
maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--
besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,
preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.
1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to watch, guard, keep
1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers
1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
1a4) to guard, keep secret
1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded
1a6) watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…
סָעַד (sa'ad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to support, sustain, or strengthen. It encompasses various forms of support, including emotional and physical, and is used in contexts like comforting or upholding. The Aramaic equivalent is סְעַד (H5583). There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
סָעַד vb. support, sustain, stay
base
H5582 סָעַד support, sustain, stay
5582 ca`ad saw-ad'
a primitive root; to suport (mostly figurative):--comfort,
establish, hold up, refresh self, strengthen, be upholden.
סָעַד (sa.ad) — to support.
1) to support, sustain, stay, establish, strengthen, comfort
1a) (Qal) to support, sustain
1a1) to sustain, stay (of heart)
1a2) to support, uphold (of throne)
Aramaic equivalent: se.ad (סְעַד "to support" H5583)
Conj | V-Qal-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqq3ms
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) refers to a seat of honour or throne, often associated with royal dignity and authority. It is derived from a root meaning 'covered' and encompasses meanings like stool and seat. The entries consistently highlight its significance in both literal and figurative contexts.
כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה 133 n.m. seat of honour, throne
base
H3678 כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה seat of honour, throne
3678 kicce' kis-say'
or kicceh {kis-say'}; from 3680; properly, covered, i.e. a
throne (as canopied):--seat, stool, throne.
see HEBREW for 03680
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne.
1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool
1a) seat (of honour), throne
1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — (Hall of) the Throne.
Combined with u.lam (אוּלָם "Hall" H0197I)
This name means throne, seat
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne: seat.
1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool
1a) seat (of honour), throne
1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms