קֶרֶשׁ
a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of aship
Definition
The Hebrew word קֶרֶשׁ (qeresh) refers to a plank or board, typically made of wood. In the Old Testament, it most frequently describes the acacia wood boards used to construct the tabernacle's walls (Exodus 26:15-22). These planks were overlaid with gold and stood upright in silver bases to form a portable sanctuary. By extension, the word is also used for the wooden decking or planks of a ship, as seen in Ezekiel's prophecy about the ship of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:5-6). Thus, its core meaning is a substantial, shaped wooden slab used in construction.
Biblical Usage
The word is used 34 times, predominantly in Exodus (28 times) and Numbers (4 times) in the detailed instructions for building the tabernacle's framework. It consistently refers to the specific acacia wood boards for the sanctuary's walls and supports (e.g., Exodus 26:15-29, Exodus 36:20-34). The only other usage is in Ezekiel 27:5-6, where it describes the cypress planks used for the deck of a ship, showcasing a similar constructional sense in a maritime context.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to split off' or 'to cut.' This suggests the original concept involved wood that was split or cut into planks. The word is a primary noun for a processed wooden board, distinct from raw timber.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is central to the description of the tabernacle, God's dwelling place among His people during the Exodus. The specific, divinely mandated instructions for the qerashim (planks) highlight the holiness, order, and portability of the sanctuary. Understanding these planks as the structural bones of the tabernacle enriches the reading of Exodus by emphasizing that God's presence was housed within a carefully crafted, yet temporary, human construction, pointing toward a greater, permanent dwelling to come.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, these wooden planks represented valuable, processed building material. Acacia wood (shittim) was known for its durability and resistance to insects, making it ideal for a structure meant to last through wilderness travels. The precise measurements and gold overlay transformed simple wooden boards into sacred objects, reflecting a culture where craftsmanship for religious purposes was highly esteemed.
עֵץ (ʿēts, H6086) — A general term for 'tree' or 'wood,' the material from which a qeresh is made. / לוּחַ (lûaḥ, H3871) — Can mean a 'board' or 'tablet,' but often for writing surfaces (e.g., stone tablets) rather than structural planks.
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.
Full methodology & sources →