כַּר
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting); hence
Definition
The Hebrew noun כַּר (kar) primarily means a 'ram,' specifically a full-grown, fattened male sheep, as seen in sacrificial contexts like 1 Samuel 15:9. By metaphorical extension, it can refer to a 'battering ram' (Ezekiel 4:2; 21:22), drawing on the ram's butting behavior. In agricultural contexts, it denotes a 'fertile meadow' or 'pasture' where flocks graze, as in Psalm 65:13 and Deuteronomy 32:14. A less common meaning is a 'pad' or 'camel's saddle,' likely describing something puffed or rounded, referenced in Judges 5:10 and possibly implied in Genesis 31:34.
Biblical Usage
כַּר appears 15 times across various Old Testament books, reflecting its diverse meanings. As 'ram,' it is used in narratives of sacrifice and wealth (1 Samuel 15:9; 2 Kings 3:4). As 'pasture,' it describes God's provision in poetic and prophetic texts (Psalm 37:20; Isaiah 30:23). The 'battering ram' sense is specific to Ezekiel's prophecies of siege (Ezekiel 4:2; 21:22). The 'saddle' usage is rare, found in poetic imagery (Judges 5:10) and a narrative about hiding idols (Genesis 31:34).
Etymology
Derived from the root כָּרַר (karar, H3769), meaning 'to dance' or 'whirl,' which implies a sense of roundness or plumpness. This root connection gives כַּר its core idea of something fattened or rounded, explaining its application to a stout ram, a bulging saddle, and even a fertile, well-watered meadow.
Semantic Range
כַּר enriches understanding of God's provision and judgment. As 'pasture,' it symbolizes divine sustenance and blessing (Psalm 65:13; Deuteronomy 32:14). As 'ram,' it connects to sacrificial systems, pointing to atonement. As 'battering ram' in Ezekiel, it represents God's instrument of judgment against rebellion. The word's range highlights how God provides for the faithful but brings consequences upon the wicked.
In ancient Israel, a 'ram' (kar) was a valuable asset for food, wool, and sacrifice, often representing wealth and status. A 'battering ram' was a key siege weapon, familiar in warfare. 'Pastures' were vital for nomadic and agricultural life, symbolizing security and abundance. The 'camel's saddle' reflects everyday travel and trade, showing the word's integration into pastoral and economic life.
אַיִל (ayil, H352) — a more common general term for 'ram,' often used in ritual contexts. נָוֶה (naveh, H5116) — a 'pasture' or 'habitation,' emphasizing a dwelling place rather than just grazing land. דֶּשֶׁא (deshe', H1877) — 'grass' or 'tender herb,' focusing on the vegetation itself, not the meadow area.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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