קוֹרָה
a rafter (forming trenches as it were); by implication, a roof
Definition
The Hebrew noun קוֹרָה (qôwrâh) primarily refers to a wooden beam or rafter used in construction. In its most basic sense, it denotes a structural timber, as seen when the prophets cut down beams by the Jordan River (2 Kings 6:2, 5). By extension, the word can refer to the roof or ceiling formed by these beams, as in the description of the temple's interior being overlaid with beams and planks of cedar (2 Chronicles 3:7). In a more metaphorical or descriptive usage, the Song of Solomon uses the term poetically for the 'beams of our house' being cedar, evoking an image of strength and beauty (Song of Solomon 1:17).
Biblical Usage
The word is used five times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, historical, and poetic books. In narrative, it is used in Genesis 19:8, where Lot offers his daughters to the men of Sodom, saying they have come under the 'shadow of my roof'—using the beam/roof concept for shelter and protection. In the historical books of Kings and Chronicles, it refers to the physical act of cutting beams for building (2 Kings 6:2, 5) and to the architectural beams in Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 3:7). Its sole poetic use is in the Song of Solomon (1:17), where it contributes to the imagery of a luxurious dwelling.
Etymology
The noun קוֹרָה (qôwrâh) is derived from the root קוּר (qûr, H6979), which means 'to bore' or 'to dig.' This root connection suggests the original concept may have been a beam that is hollowed out or that forms a trench-like structure. The development of meaning from a specific type of beam to a general roof structure is a natural semantic extension based on the beam's primary function in supporting a roof.
Semantic Range
While primarily a mundane architectural term, קוֹרָה gains theological resonance in its contexts. In Genesis 19:8, the 'roof' represents the place of hospitality and protection Lot was obligated to provide, tragically contrasted with his subsequent moral failure. In 2 Chronicles 3:7, the beams are part of the sacred architecture of the Temple, the dwelling place of God's presence. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the physical reality of biblical settings—from a prophet's simple construction project to the glorious details of God's house—grounding spiritual narratives in tangible, constructed worlds.
In ancient Israelite culture, beams were essential for constructing roofs, which were typically flat and made of wooden rafters (קוֹרָה) covered with branches and packed earth. A roof provided crucial shelter, a place for sleeping (1 Samuel 9:25), and a platform for activities. The act of acquiring beams, as in 2 Kings 6, was a communal, labor-intensive process. The 'cedar beams' mentioned in Song of Solomon 1:17 and 2 Chronicles 3:7 were a sign of luxury and permanence, as cedar was a prized, imported wood from Lebanon, used for royal and sacred buildings.
עֵץ (ʿēts, H6086) — A general term for 'tree' or 'wood,' whereas קוֹרָה is a specific, shaped timber used in construction. | קִיר (qîr, H7023) — Refers to a 'wall,' a different structural component, not a horizontal beam or roof.
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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