KESITAH. This word is to be met with in Genesis and in Job, and is translated in the Septuagint and Vulgate "sheep or lambs." But the Rabbins and modern interpreters are generally of opinion, that kesitah signifies rather a piece of money. Bochart and Euginus are of opinion the Septuagint meant mina, and not lambs; in Greek hecatommon, ἑκατόμνον, instead of ἑκατὸν ἀμνόν. Now a mina was worth 60 Hebrew shekels, and consequently 61. 16s. 10d. Sterling. M. de Pelletier of Rouen is of opinion, that kesitah was a Persian coin, stamped on one side with an archer (Kestab or Kestib in Hebrew signifying "a bow") and on the other with a lamb; that this was a gold coin known in the east by the name of a daric, and was in value about 12 livres and 10 d. French money. Several learned men, without mentioning the value of the kesitah, say it was a silver coin, the impression whereof was a sheep, for which reason the Septuagint and Vulgate translate it by this name. Calmet is of opinion, that kesitah was a purse of gold or silver. In the east they reckon at present by purses. The word kista in Chaldee signifies "a measure, a vessel." And Eustathius says, that kista is a Persian measure. Jonathan and the Targum of Jerusalem translate kesitah "a pearl." (Gen. xxxiii. 19.; Job, xlii. 11). Or 91. English, supposing, as Dr Prideaux does, that a shekel is worth 3s. A daric is a piece of gold, worth, as Dr Prideaux says, 25s. English.