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קֶרֶס

𐤒𐤓𐤎

qereç

H7165 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A small fastening device, specifically a hook, clasp, or knob, used in constructing the tabernacle's curtains and coverings. The term indicates an object of metal (usually gold or bronze) shaped for joining fabric panels by attachment through loops, enabling the assembly and disassembly of the sanctuary structure. While often rendered 'tache' or 'clasp' in English translations, it denotes a utilitarian joining mechanism.

Semantic Range

hook, clasp, (decorative) knob, fastening device, belaying-pin (by later analogy)

Root / Etymology

From the root קָרַס (q-r-s), meaning 'to bend' or 'to hook.' The noun קֶרֶס (qereṣ) derives from this root, referring to an object that is either bent, hooked, or otherwise formed to function as a fastener.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term קֶרֶס is attested exclusively in the priestly literature of the Torah, particularly in descriptions of the tabernacle (Exodus 26–39) where it refers to architectural fixtures uniting the hangings of the sacred space. English translations such as 'tache' (reflecting KJV usage) or 'hook/clasp' (in modern translations) may obscure its original cultural context—a device specific to tabernacle construction, with no evidence for wider household use in the biblical period. In the tabernacle texts, קֶרֶס always indicates items of gold or bronze, emphasizing their ritual and material significance. There is no evidence for usage outside tabernacle contexts, nor for metaphorical or later abstract developments. Related terms include וָו (vav, 'hook' of a different sort) and טַבַּעַת (tabba'at, 'ring'), each designating distinct joining devices.

Translation Consistency

primary "hook" 2 occurrences

Simple, natural, and commonly used for this tabernacle fastening (e.g., “hooks of gold” in traditional translations). Covers the primary sense — a small metal fastening shaped to join curtain loops — while remaining idiomatic English. Using 'hook' gives consistent, clear wording across all occurrences.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"hook-clasps of" (4x) "hook-fasteners" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָרַס; a knob or belaying-pin (from its swelling form); tache.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

קרס (q-r-s) — to bend, to hook, to curve

Root קרס to bend, to hook, to curve
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3770 כְּרֵשׂ his curved belly
H7164 קָרַס they were hump-backed
H7166 קַרְסֹל my ankle joints

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7165-03 קַרְסֵ֣י qaresey HNcmpc clasps hook-clasps of hook-clasps of 4
H7165-01 בַּ/קְּרָסִ֔ים baqerasim HRd/Ncmpa with the clasps with the hook-fasteners with the hook-fasteners 2
H7165-02 הַ/קְּרָסִים֙ haqerasim HTd/Ncmpa the clasps the hooked fasteners the hooked fasteners 2
H7165-04 קְרָסָי/ו֙ qerasayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its clasps his hook-fasteners his hook-fasteners 2

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7165-03 Exodus 26:6 קַרְסֵ֣י qaresey HNcmpc clasps of hook-clasps of hook-clasps of
H7165-01 Exodus 26:6 בַּ/קְּרָסִ֔ים baqerasim HRd/Ncmpa with the clasps with the hook-fasteners with the hook-fasteners
H7165-03 Exodus 26:11 קַרְסֵ֥י qaresey HNcmpc clasps hook-clasps of hook-clasps of
H7165-02 Exodus 26:11 הַ/קְּרָסִים֙ haqerasim HTd/Ncmpa the clasps the hooked fasteners the hooked fasteners
H7165-02 Exodus 26:33 הַ/קְּרָסִים֒ haqerasim HTd/Ncmpa the clasps the hooked fasteners the hooked fasteners
H7165-04 Exodus 35:11 קְרָסָי/ו֙ qerasayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its clasps his hook-fasteners his hook-fasteners
H7165-03 Exodus 36:13 קַרְסֵ֣י qaresey HNcmpc clasps hook-clasps of hook-clasps of
H7165-01 Exodus 36:13 בַּ/קְּרָסִ֔ים baqerasim HRd/Ncmpa with the clasps with the hook-fasteners with the hook-fasteners
H7165-03 Exodus 36:18 קַרְסֵ֥י qaresey HNcmpc clasps hook-clasps of hook-clasps of
H7165-04 Exodus 39:33 קְרָסָ֣י/ו qerasayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its clasps his hook-fasteners his hook-fasteners
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