כָּרָה
a meadow
Definition
The Hebrew noun כָּרָה (kârâh) refers to a meadow or pastureland, a flat, grassy area suitable for grazing livestock. In its single biblical occurrence in Zephaniah 2:6, it describes the coastal region of the Philistines, portraying it as a land of shepherds' pastures and folds for flocks. The word conveys an image of open, fertile land, contrasting with wilderness or cultivated fields. As a feminine form derived from כַּר (kar), it specifically denotes a meadow-like plain.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Zephaniah 2:6. Here, the prophet Zephaniah declares that the seacoast of the Philistines will become 'pastures, with wells for shepherds, and folds for flocks.' The context is one of prophetic judgment and subsequent restoration, where the conquered territory is transformed into peaceful grazing land for Judah's remnant. Its usage is poetic and descriptive within an oracle.
Etymology
כָּרָה (kârâh) is the feminine form of the masculine noun כַּר (kar, H3740), which means 'a meadow' or 'a pasture.' The root idea relates to something smooth or even, hence a plain. It is cognate with words in other Semitic languages for a meadow or open country. The development is straightforward, moving from the concept of a level place to a grassy plain used for grazing.
Semantic Range
While a simple geographical term, its use in Zephaniah 2:6 carries theological weight. It is part of a prophecy where God's judgment on the Philistines results in the provision of pastureland for His people, Judah. This illustrates a theme of divine reversal and restoration, where places of enemy habitation become places of blessing and sustenance for God's faithful remnant. Understanding this enriches the reading of this prophetic promise.
In the ancient Near East, meadows and pastures were vital economic resources, representing wealth, sustenance, and peace. A secure pasture meant thriving flocks and a stable community. The portrayal of the Philistine coast as such meadows signified a transformation from a region of conflict and sea-trade (associated with the Philistines) to one of agrarian peace and provision, a deeply meaningful shift for an Israelite audience.
נָוֶה (nāweh, H5116) — a pasture, habitation, or pleasant abode, often with a sense of home and security. דֶּשֶׁא (deshe', H1877) — fresh grass, new green growth, emphasizing the vegetation itself rather than the land.
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.
Full methodology & sources →