קָרָה
𐤒𐤓𐤄
qârâh
H7135 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Coolness or cold; refers specifically to the physical sensation or quality of coldness, usually in reference to air or temperature. It may also denote coolness in a metaphorical sense, such as a cooling influence or coldness of disposition, depending on the context. The primary sense remains physical coldness or chill.
Semantic Range
coolness, cold (physical), refreshing coldness, chill of air or atmosphere, figurative coolness (refreshment or possibly emotional coldness)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ק־ר (קר), which carries the core meaning 'to be cold' or 'to be cool.' This word is a feminine noun formation (ending in -ah), emphasizing the state or quality of being cold. The root also produces other words related to cold (e.g., קַר, qar, 'cold' as an adjective).
Historical & Contextual Notes
קָרָה appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Proverbs 25:13, referring metaphorically to the cooling effect of snow in the heat of harvest—a valued respite. While the base meaning is physical (coldness, chill), it is occasionally used figuratively for refreshing coolness or, rarely, emotional aloofness when describing persons or actions. Unlike קַר, which is the standard adjective for 'cold,' קָרָה is a noun denoting the state or property. In the post-biblical period, the root continued to express physical coldness, but the differentiation from related nouns remained stable. Common English translations ('coolness,' 'cold') generally reflect the semantic range, though less attention is given in English renderings to the positive or refreshing connotations implied in some biblical settings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of קַר; coolness; cold.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קר (q-r) — to be cold, to be cool
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7135-02 |
קָרָ֔ה | qarah | HNcfsa |
of cold | coldness | 3 |
H7135-03 |
קָ֝רָת֗/וֹ | qarato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his cold | his coldness | 1 |
H7135-01 |
בַּ/קָּרָֽה | baqarah | HRd/Ncfsa |
in-the-cold | coldness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7135-02 |
Nahum 3:17 | קָרָ֔ה | qarah | HNcfsa |
of cold | coldness |
H7135-03 |
Psalms 147:17 | קָ֝רָת֗/וֹ | qarato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his cold | his coldness |
H7135-02 |
Proverbs 25:20 | קָ֭רָה | qarah | HNcfsa |
of cold | coldness |
H7135-01 |
Job 24:7 | בַּ/קָּרָֽה | baqarah | HRd/Ncfsa |
in-the-cold | coldness |
H7135-02 |
Job 37:9 | קָרָֽה | qarah | HNcfsa |
cold | coldness |