קוֹרֵא
Kore, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Kore (קוֹרֵא) is a proper noun referring to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is Kore, son of Ebiasaph, a Levite gatekeeper in the time of King David (1 Chronicles 9:19, 26:1). The second is Kore, son of Imnah, a Levite appointed by King Hezekiah to oversee the freewill offerings brought to the temple (2 Chronicles 31:14). Both men are Levites associated with temple service, one with guarding the gates and the other with managing contributions.
Biblical Usage
The name Kore appears only three times in the Old Testament, exclusively in the historical books of Chronicles. It is used to identify specific Levites in genealogical and administrative contexts. In 1 Chronicles 9:19 and 26:1, it identifies a gatekeeper from the lineage of Korah. In 2 Chronicles 31:14, it identifies a Levite given a trusted financial role during Hezekiah's reforms.
Etymology
The name Kore derives from the active participle of the Hebrew root קָרָא (qārā', H7121), meaning 'to call, proclaim, or read.' Thus, קוֹרֵא means 'crier,' 'herald,' or 'one who calls.' It is linguistically related to the name Korah (קֹרַח, Qōraḥ, H7141), which comes from the same root, though Korah is a distinct biblical figure.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, the individuals bearing it highlight important themes. Their roles as gatekeepers and overseers of offerings underscore the value of faithful, orderly service in God's house. Kore in 2 Chronicles 31:14 exemplifies trustworthy stewardship during a national revival, pointing to the importance of integrity in handling sacred things. Understanding the name's meaning ('crier') can subtly connect these servants to the concept of proclaiming or calling attention to God's work.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often conveyed meaning or character. 'Kore' as 'crier' might suggest a role involving proclamation or public announcement, fitting for temple servants who may have called people to order or declared offerings. The distinction between the two men of the same name shows the importance of lineage and paternal identification (e.g., 'son of Ebiasaph' vs. 'son of Imnah') for clarity in genealogical records.
Korah (Qōraḥ, H7141) — A proper name for a different Levite, also from the root קָרָא, but associated with rebellion (Numbers 16).
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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