קָרַחַת
𐤒𐤓𐤇𐤕
qârachath
H7146 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A patch of baldness or a bald area, especially on the back or crown of the head; also, by extension, a patch or bare spot in another context, such as in fabric. The term designates a distinct area where hair, or another covering, has fallen out or is missing, and may be used both in human contexts (baldness) and metaphorically for a bare spot on a surface.
Semantic Range
localized bald spot on the head; patch of baldness; exposed or threadbare spot in fabric; area made bare or lacking covering
Root / Etymology
From the root קָרַח (q-r-ḥ), 'to be bald, to make bald.' קָרַחַת is a feminine noun derived from this root form, denoting the state or result of being made bald, specifically a localized area.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, קָרַחַת refers primarily to a localized area of baldness, most frequently on the head (e.g., Leviticus 13:42-43, where it features in priestly regulations concerning various skin conditions). The term distinguishes a specific patch of baldness from generalized baldness (as with גָּבַחַת, another word referring to frontal baldness), and stands in contrast to full baldness or shaved heads. In some cases, it can be extended metaphorically to refer to a bare spot on another surface, such as cloth, suggesting threadbare or worn areas. English translations sometimes render it 'bald spot' or 'bald head,' but these may not distinguish adequately from other Hebrew terms referring to baldness or shaving. The term retains a neutral or descriptive sense in priestly law, referring simply to physical appearance and ritual status, not moral or social standing. Its use diminishes after the First Temple period; the metaphorical sense is rare.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָרַח; a bald spot (on the back of the head); figuratively, a threadbare spot (on the back side of the cloth); bald head, bare within.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קרח (q-r-ḥ) — to be bald, to make bald, to be bare
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7139 | קָרַח | one made bald |
| H7140 | קֶרַח | the ice |
| H7141 | קֹרַח | like Qorach |
| H7142 | קֵרֵחַ | bald-headed man |
| H7143 | קָרֵחַ | Bald-one |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7146-01 |
בְּ/קָרַחְתּ֖/וֹ | beqaracheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
in his bald head | in his bald patch | 3 |
H7146-02 |
בַ/קָּרַ֨חַת֙ | vaqarachat | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the baldhead | bald patch | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7146-02 |
Leviticus 13:42 | בַ/קָּרַ֨חַת֙ | vaqarachat | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the baldhead | bald patch |
H7146-01 |
Leviticus 13:42 | בְּ/קָרַחְתּ֖/וֹ | beqaracheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
in his baldhead | in his bald patch |
H7146-01 |
Leviticus 13:43 | בְּ/קָרַחְתּ֖/וֹ | beqaracheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
in his bald head | in his bald patch |
H7146-01 |
Leviticus 13:55 | בְּ/קָרַחְתּ֖/וֹ | beqaracheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
on its bald spot | in his bald patch |