קֶרֶס
a knob or belaying-pin (from its swelling form)
Definition
The Hebrew word קֶרֶס (qereç) refers to a specific type of clasp or fastening pin used in the construction of the tabernacle's curtains. It describes a knob or belaying-pin, likely made of gold, which functioned to join the large sections of the tabernacle's inner covering together (Exodus 26:6, 11). These fasteners were essential for creating a unified, holy space, as they also secured the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33). The term consistently denotes a functional, ornamental hardware item central to the tabernacle's assembly.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the book of Exodus, specifically in the detailed instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 26:6, 11, 33; 35:11; 36:13, 18; 39:33). Its usage is highly technical and repetitive, appearing only in contexts describing the joining of the tabernacle's curtains and the veil. Every occurrence relates directly to the materials, construction, and final inventory of the sacred tent, indicating a specialized term for a specific cultic object.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb קָרַס (qāras, H7164), which means 'to stoop' or 'bend down.' The noun form likely developed from the concept of something that 'clasps' or 'fastens' by bending or hooking together. This etymological connection emphasizes the functional purpose of the קֶרֶס as a connecting device.
Semantic Range
While a physical object, the קֶרֶס holds theological significance as a component of the divinely ordained tabernacle, the dwelling place of God among His people (Exodus 25:8). Its role in creating a unified structure from separate pieces can symbolize the unity and precise order required in God's holy sanctuary. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Exodus by highlighting the care, specificity, and beauty mandated in worship, where even the fasteners contributed to the sacred whole.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, such precise fasteners, especially ones made of gold, indicated value, permanence, and craftsmanship in a sacred structure. The קֶרֶס was not a common tent peg but a specialized fitting for a unique, portable temple. Its function differs from modern understandings of simple hooks or buttons, as it was integral to forming the large, heavy curtains that defined the most holy space in Israel's worship.
חָח (ḥāḥ, H2397) — A hook or ring, often for hanging items, not specifically for joining large curtains. יָתֵד (yātēd, H3489) — A tent peg or stake for securing cords to the ground, not an ornamental clasp.
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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