מִקְרֶה
something met with, i.e. an accident or fortune
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִקְרֶה (miqreh) fundamentally means 'something that happens' or 'an occurrence,' often with a sense of chance or unforeseen event. It can refer to a simple happening, as when Ruth 'happened to come' to Boaz's field (Ruth 2:3), implying a seemingly random encounter. More significantly, it denotes 'chance' or 'fortune,' as seen in the Philistines' test to see if the return of the ark was by divine intervention or mere 'accident' (1 Samuel 6:9). In Ecclesiastes, the word is used philosophically to describe the seemingly random 'event' or 'fate' that befalls both the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 2:14, 9:2-3).
Biblical Usage
מִקְרֶה is used 8 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative (Ruth, 1 Samuel) and wisdom literature (Ecclesiastes). In narratives, it describes contingent, unplanned events (Ruth 2:3, 1 Samuel 20:26). In Ecclesiastes, its usage becomes thematic, exploring the apparent randomness of life's events and the shared 'fate' of all living things (Ecclesiastes 2:14-15, 3:19, 9:2-3). This pattern shows a development from describing a specific incident to pondering the nature of fortune and mortality.
Etymology
Derived from the root קָרָה (qarah, H7136), meaning 'to meet, encounter, befall.' The noun form מִקְרֶה is a common pattern for indicating the place, instrument, or result of an action—here, 'that which is met with' or 'the happening.' This root connection emphasizes the concept of an encounter, whether planned or accidental.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it engages with the tension between divine providence and human perception of randomness. In Ecclesiastes, מִקְרֶה is used to question simplistic views of retribution, highlighting the mystery of God's governance in a world where good and bad 'chance' seems to fall on all alike (Ecclesiastes 9:2). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing the biblical author's struggle with the appearance of fortune and fate, ultimately pointing to a trust in God's sovereignty even when events seem inexplicable.
In ancient Israelite thought, there was no modern concept of impersonal 'luck' or statistical probability. An 'occurrence' (miqreh) was always understood within the framework of divine activity, even if its purpose was hidden. The word could describe events perceived as random by humans, but the biblical narrative often reveals God's hidden hand behind such 'chance' meetings, as with Ruth.
גּוֹרָל (goral, H1486) — a 'lot' cast for decision-making, implying a more deliberate or divinely guided outcome. פֶּגַע (pega', H6294) — a sudden disaster or calamity, with a more negative connotation. עֵת (ʿet, H6256) — a set or appointed time, emphasizing divine timing over randomness.
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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