קָרֶה
𐤒𐤓𐤄
qâreh
H7137 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An incidental or accidental occurrence, particularly one that results in temporary ritual impurity due to an unforeseen emission or event (especially a nocturnal emission), rendering an individual ceremonially unclean in ritual contexts. The term highlights the involuntary and unforeseen nature of the event.
Semantic Range
accidental occurrence, unforeseen event, involuntary incident causing ritual impurity, nocturnal emission, circumstance that leads to ceremonial disqualification
Root / Etymology
From the root קָרָה (q-r-h), meaning 'to encounter, happen, befall.' The noun קָרֶה derives from this root, denoting something that 'befalls' or 'occurs' unexpectedly.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical period, קָרֶה refers specifically to an involuntary or unforeseen event resulting in ritual impurity, as in Deuteronomy 23:11, where it describes the case of an Israelite who experiences an unexpected nocturnal emission and thus becomes 'unclean until evening.' The term underscores the non-volitional, accidental character of the impurity. This is distinct from terms describing impurity related to intentional acts or to bodily discharges governed by regular cycles. English Bible translations have often rendered this as 'that which happens to him by night' or 'uncleanness that chanceth,' but these may obscure the involuntariness and ritual context of the term. In post-biblical usage and later rabbinic discussion, distinctions are further drawn between intentional impurity and such accidental occurrences. The word is rare, attested only in contexts of ritual law regulating the Israelite camp and participation in worship.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָרָה; an (unfortunate) occurrence, i.e. some accidental (ceremonial) disqualification; uncleanness that chanceth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קרה (q-r-h) — to happen, to befall, to occur, to meet by chance
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4745 | מִקְרֶה | like a chance-occurrence of |
| H4746 | מְקָרֶה | the beam-framing one |
| H7136 | קָרָה | the one bringing about |
| H7147 | קְרִי | in adversarial encounter |
| H7149 | קִרְיָא | in organized cities |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7137-01 |
מִ/קְּרֵה | miqereh | HR/Ncmsc |
from emission | accidental occurrence of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7137-01 |
Deuteronomy 23:11 | מִ/קְּרֵה | miqereh | HR/Ncmsc |
from emission | accidental occurrence of |