קָרֶה
an (unfortunate) occurrence, i.e. some accidental (ceremonial) disqualification
Definition
The noun קָרֶה (qâreh) refers to an accidental or unforeseen occurrence, specifically a nocturnal emission (Deuteronomy 23:10). It denotes a state of ritual impurity that happens by chance, without intent or planning. The word emphasizes the involuntary and unexpected nature of the event, which nonetheless results in ceremonial disqualification from participating in holy activities, such as warfare. This single biblical usage focuses on a specific, physical incident with religious consequences.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 23:10. The context is a set of laws for military camp purity, instructing that anyone who becomes unclean from a nocturnal emission (an 'uncleanness that chanceth') must leave the camp and not return until cleansed. The usage is entirely within the legal framework of the Torah, addressing ritual purity in a communal, sacred context.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb קָרָה (qârâh, H7136), meaning 'to meet, befall, happen.' The noun קָרֶה carries the sense of 'a happening' or 'an occurrence,' specifically one that befalls someone. It shares this root with words for events and encounters, highlighting its connection to chance or unforeseen circumstances.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the biblical concept of holiness requiring separation from ritual impurity, even when contracted unintentionally. It underscores that God's presence in the midst of His people (e.g., in the camp) demands a standard of purity that acknowledges both moral intent and physical states. Understanding this term enriches reading by showing how ancient Israel's daily life was structured around maintaining a condition fit for divine fellowship, teaching about God's holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him.
In ancient Israelite culture, bodily discharges rendered a person ritually unclean, excluding them from communal worship and holy spaces until undergoing purification rites (Leviticus 15). This was not primarily about hygiene or moral fault but about symbolic boundaries between the common and the holy. A nocturnal emission was seen as an involuntary loss of life force, creating a temporary state incompatible with the sanctified space of the war camp, which was considered under God's direct protection.
טָמֵא (ṭāmē', H2931) — A general term for 'unclean' or 'defiled,' describing the state itself, whereas קָרֶה specifies the accidental cause. טֻמְאָה (ṭum'âh, H2932) — 'Uncleanness, impurity,' the abstract noun for the condition, while קָרֶה is the specific event causing it.
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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