כֹּר
properly, a deep round vessel, i.e. (specifically) a cor or measure for things dry
Definition
The Hebrew word כֹּר (kôr) refers to a specific unit of dry measure used in the ancient Near East, equivalent to a homer. It was a large volume, used for measuring bulk commodities like grain and flour. In the Bible, it is used to quantify royal provisions, temple supplies, and agricultural produce, as seen in the descriptions of Solomon's daily provisions (1 Kings 4:22) and the offerings for the temple (Ezekiel 45:14). The term originally denoted a 'deep round vessel' or container, which became the standard name for this specific capacity.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a unit of measurement in administrative and religious contexts across six Old Testament verses. It appears in historical books detailing royal provisions (1 Kings 4:22; 5:11; 2 Chronicles 2:10; 27:5), in a Persian administrative decree (Ezra 7:22), and in prophetic legislation for temple offerings (Ezekiel 45:14). Its usage consistently relates to large-scale, official measurements of dry goods, never in narrative or poetic settings.
Etymology
Derived from the same root as כּוּר (kûr, H3564), meaning 'to dig' or 'a furnace/pot,' the term כֹּר originally signified a deep, round vessel or container. This concrete meaning evolved into a metonym, where the name of the container came to represent a standardized volume of dry measure, specifically the 'cor' or 'homer.'
Semantic Range
While primarily a practical measurement, the כֹּר gains theological significance in contexts of provision, obedience, and worship. In 1 Kings 4, it illustrates God's abundant provision during Solomon's reign. In Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 45:14), it is part of God's prescribed measurements for righteous offerings, emphasizing order, fairness, and proper worship in the restored community. Understanding its capacity enriches readings about generosity, justice in trade, and the scale of devotion required in temple service.
The כֹּר (cor) was a standard large dry measure in the ancient Israelite economy, equivalent to 10 ephahs or baths (Ezekiel 45:14). Estimates of its modern equivalent vary, but it is generally considered to be around 220 liters (6.5 US bushels). This was a substantial volume used for taxation, royal storage, and temple tithes, reflecting an agrarian society's economy. Its use in Persian documents (Ezra 7:22) shows it was a recognized standard across empires.
הֹמֶר (homer, H2563) — An equivalent dry measure; כֹּר and homer are used interchangeably (Ezekiel 45:14). אֵיפָה (ephah, H374) — A smaller dry measure, one-tenth of a kor. בַּת (bath, H1324) — A liquid measure of equivalent volume to the ephah, showing the integrated dry/liquid measurement system.
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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