← H7125 H7127 →

קָרַב

𐤒𐤓𐤁

qârab

H7126 verb

SILEX Entry

Root קרב to come near, approach, draw close, bring near

Definition

To approach, come near in space, time, or relationship; to bring or cause to approach, to present or offer something (especially an offering or gift), to draw near for a particular purpose. The verbal root conveys a dynamic movement toward a person, place, or condition, either literally (physical proximity) or figuratively (in relationship, cultic practice, or time). In causative stems (Hiphil, etc.), it frequently denotes the act of bringing someone or something into proximity, such as presenting an offering.

Semantic Range

to approach (physically, temporally, relationally), to come near, to draw near, to bring near, to present, to offer (especially in cultic/ritual contexts), to join, to be imminent, to be at hand

Root / Etymology

From the root ק־ר־ב (קרב), which fundamentally means 'to come near, to draw close.' The verb קָרַב represents both simple and causative actions derived from this root, expressing the idea of nearness or approach. Most nominal forms (e.g., קָרוֹב, קָרֵב, קָרְבָּן) share this notion of nearness in physical, relational, or ritual senses.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, קָרַב occurs in a variety of contexts: 1) physical movement toward a person, place, or object (Genesis 27:21, Joshua 3:9); 2) temporal approaching (Isaiah 13:6—'the day of YHWH is near'); 3) cultic usage, especially in priestly texts, where to 'bring near' is the standard term for presenting offerings (Leviticus 1–7). The causative stem (Hiphil) becomes the primary vocabulary for the ritual presentation of offerings and sacrificial materials and, metonymically, for the persons who perform these acts (especially priests: cf. Ezekiel 40:46). In later periods, the nominal derivative קָרְבָּן ('offering') becomes standard for what is brought near on the altar. English Bibles sometimes use 'offer' for cultic contexts, but the nuance is broader—suggesting the action of moving close or making accessible. In prophetic literature, the verb may mark the imminence of judgment or salvation ('the day is near'); in psalms and wisdom texts, it may describe approaching God or wisdom. The semantic field overlaps with נגש and נצב, but קָרַב more strongly emphasizes the process of approach than that of standing or stationing near.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

קרב (q-r-b) — approach, draw near, bring near

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7127 קְרֵב they brought him near
H7128 קְרָב in combat
H7129 קְרָב Draw near
H7130 קֶרֶב in the inner midst of
H7131 קָרֵב the near one

Word Forms

76 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7126-58 וְ/הִקְרִ֨יב vehiqeriv HC/Vhq3ms and he shall offer and he brought near 22
H7126-49 וַ/יַּקְרֵ֣ב vayaqerev HC/Vhw3ms and he brought near and he brought near 19
H7126-35 תַּקְרִ֔יב taqeriv HVhi2ms you shall offer you shall bring near 14
H7126-56 וְ/הִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם vehiqeravetem HC/Vhq2mp and you shall present and you shall bring near 12
H7126-18 לְ/הַקְרִ֧יב lehaqeriv HR/Vhc to present to bring near 12
H7126-74 יִקְרַ֣ב yiqerav HVqi3ms shall-come-near he will draw near 11
H7126-71 יַקְרִ֥יב yaqeriv HVhi3ms he shall offer he will bring near 11
H7126-73 יַקְרִ֣יבוּ yaqerivu HVhi3mp they offer they bring near 10
H7126-36 תַּקְרִ֖יבוּ taqerivu HVhi2mp you shall present you will bring near 10
H7126-50 וַ֠/יַּקְרִבוּ vayaqerivu HC/Vhw3mp and they offered and they brought near 9

Occurrences in Scripture

283 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7126-13 Genesis 12:11 הִקְרִ֖יב hiqeriv HVhp3ms he was about to enter he brought near
H7126-26 Genesis 20:4 קָרַ֖ב qarav HVqp3ms come near he drew near
H7126-76 Genesis 27:41 יִקְרְבוּ֙ yiqerevu HVqi3mp are at hand they will draw near
H7126-74 Genesis 37:18 יִקְרַ֣ב yiqerav HVqi3ms he came near he will draw near
H7126-52 Genesis 47:29 וַ/יִּקְרְב֣וּ vayiqerevu HC/Vqw3mp drew near and they drew near
H7126-38 Exodus 3:5 תִּקְרַ֣ב tiqerav HVqj2ms come near may you draw near
H7126-74 Exodus 12:48 יִקְרַ֣ב yiqerav HVqj3ms he may come near he will draw near
H7126-13 Exodus 14:10 הִקְרִ֑יב hiqeriv HVhp3ms drew near he brought near
H7126-26 Exodus 14:20 קָרַ֥ב qarav HVqp3ms came near he drew near
H7126-34 Exodus 16:9 קִרְב֖וּ qirevu HVqv2mp Come near Draw near
← H7125 Hebrew Lexicon H7127 →