מְקָרֶה
properly, something meeting, i.e. a frame (of timbers)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְקָרֶה (mᵉqâreh) refers to a constructed framework or structure, specifically one made of timbers or beams. It derives from the idea of 'something meeting' or being joined together, indicating a built assembly. In its sole biblical occurrence in Ecclesiastes 10:18, it describes the 'building' or timber framework of a house that decays due to neglect. The word emphasizes the structural integrity and crafted nature of a dwelling, contrasting it with mere rubble or an unconstructed pile of materials.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ecclesiastes 10:18. It appears in a proverbial warning about laziness and neglect: 'Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.' (NIV). The context is wisdom literature, using the physical decay of a building's timber framework (מְקָרֶה) as a metaphor for the collapse that results from sloth and inattention in one's life and responsibilities.
Etymology
מְקָרֶה is a noun derived from the root קָרָה (qârâh, H7136), which means 'to meet,' 'to encounter,' or 'to happen.' The specific noun form suggests 'a place of meeting' or 'a joining,' evolving to denote a constructed framework where beams meet and are fitted together. Cognates in other Semitic languages carry similar meanings related to beams or rafters, reinforcing the architectural sense.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically dense term, מְקָרֶה in Ecclesiastes 10:18 contributes to the book's wisdom theme. It serves as a tangible metaphor for the principle of sowing and reaping, particularly the consequences of negligence. Understanding it as a carefully joined framework enriches the metaphor: just as a house requires diligent maintenance of its structure, a wise and godly life requires active, diligent stewardship of one's responsibilities to prevent moral and practical collapse.
In ancient Israelite culture, the primary building material for house frameworks was wood, often cedar or sycamore beams. A 'מְקָרֶה' represented significant investment and skilled carpentry, as timbers were hewn, fitted, and joined to create a stable roof and support structure. Its decay symbolized not just minor disrepair, but a fundamental failure to preserve a valuable asset, making it a powerful image of ruin in a society where the home was central to security, family, and social standing.
בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — A general term for 'house' or 'household,' whereas מְקָרֶה specifies the timber framework. | הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — Often means 'palace' or 'temple,' a large, magnificent building, not a simple structural frame.
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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