קְעָרָה
a bowl (as cut out hollow)
Definition
The Hebrew noun קְעָרָה (qᵉʻârâh) refers to a specific type of bowl or dish, characterized as being hollowed out or carved. In the Bible, it consistently describes a shallow, flat dish or platter used in religious and ceremonial contexts. Primarily, these bowls were part of the sacred furniture in the Tabernacle, used to hold the 'bread of the Presence' (Exodus 25:29, 37:16). They also appear as vessels offered by the tribal leaders for the dedication of the altar, where they held grain offerings (Numbers 7:13-85). The term does not denote a common household bowl but a formal, ritual vessel.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Torah, specifically in Exodus and Numbers, detailing the construction and use of the Tabernacle. Its usage is highly patterned: it describes the gold bowls for the Tabernacle's table of showbread (Exodus 25:29, 37:16) and the silver bowls presented by the leaders of the twelve tribes during the altar's dedication (Numbers 7:13-85). Every occurrence is in a precise, ritual inventory or list, emphasizing the item's role in formal worship and consecration.
Etymology
The noun קְעָרָה (qᵉʻârâh) is likely derived from the root קָרַע (qāraʻ, H7167), meaning 'to tear, dig, or cut out.' This etymology highlights the bowl's defining feature: it was a vessel hollowed out or carved from a solid piece of material, whether metal (like gold or silver) or possibly wood. The connection to 'hollowing' effectively captures its physical form.
Semantic Range
The קְעָרָה is theologically significant as a vessel designated for God's holy service. Its exclusive use in the Tabernacle underscores the themes of holiness, precision in worship, and God's provision. The bowls that held the bread of the Presence (Leviticus 24:5-9) were part of a perpetual covenant ritual, symbolizing God's sustenance and fellowship with Israel. Understanding that these were not ordinary dishes, but consecrated items, enriches our reading of these texts by highlighting the care and reverence required in approaching God.
In ancient Israelite culture, these bowls were not everyday kitchenware but specialized cultic vessels. Their construction from precious metals (gold for the Tabernacle set, silver for the tribal offerings) indicated their value and sacred purpose. A modern equivalent might be a ceremonial chalice or paten used in religious services, rather than a common dinner plate. Their flat, shallow design was suited for presenting bread and grain offerings, not for liquid-based meals.
סֵפֶל (sēp̄el, H5592) — a broader term for a bowl or cup, often used for drinking or household use (e.g., Judges 6:38). מִזְרָק (mizrāq, H4219) — a bowl or basin used for tossing or sprinkling blood in sacrifices, more associated with ritual tossing than presenting food (e.g., Exodus 27:3).
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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