קָרַץ
𐤒𐤓𐤑
qârats
H7169 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To pinch or squeeze, to compress (esp. between fingers); by extension, to form or shape (as in shaping clay by pinching a piece off); figuratively, to gesture with the lips (e.g., biting or pursing the lips) or with the eyes (blinking, winking, or squinting) in a way that signals malice, secrecy, or disdain. The semantic range encompasses both literal physical actions of pinching or shaping, and figurative or idiomatic uses involving facial gestures conveying intent or emotion.
Semantic Range
to pinch, to squeeze off (a piece of material), to shape (by pinching), to bite the lips, to purse the lips (in displeasure or malice), to blink, to wink, to squint (as a gesture with underlying intent)
Root / Etymology
From the root ק־ר־ץ, which denotes the action of pinching, pressing together, or squeezing. Though the core root meaning concerns physical compression, the word's use extends to physical gestures made with the lips or eyes that mimic the action of pinching, and by extension, to the act of shaping material such as clay by pinching or squeezing off a portion. The wider metaphorical uses arise from the similarity between the facial expression and the act of physical compression or squeezing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical contexts, קָרַץ appears both in literal contexts—such as the forming of clay objects by pinching off a piece—and in figurative senses. The gestures of 'biting the lips' or 'winking the eyes' typically carry negative associations, signaling malice, contempt, or plotting (see, e.g., Proverbs 6:13; Psalms 35:19). These actions function as nonverbal cues among Israelites in the monarchic period, hinting at hidden intent or duplicity. By the post-exilic period, the usage of such gestures may have remained proverbial, as in wisdom literature, rather than referring to explicit practice. Translations like 'wink' or 'gesture' do not fully capture the subtlety of disapproval or secretive intent attached to these gestures in the Hebrew passages. The term can cover anything from a mere blink to a deliberate, communicative squint or sneer, distinguished from other Hebrew terms for facial expression by its implication of intentionality and often negative motive.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to pinch, i.e. (partially) to bite the lips, blink the eyes (as a gesture of malice), or (fully) to squeeze off (a piece of clay in order to mould a vessel from it); form, move, wink.
Bantu Hebrew
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קרץ (q-r-ts) — pinching, squeezing, pressing together
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7169-02 |
קֹרֵ֣ץ | qorets | HVqrmsa |
winks | pinching one | 3 |
H7169-03 |
יִקְרְצוּ | yiqeretsu | HVqi3mp |
wink | they pinch | 1 |
H7169-01 |
קֹרַ֥צְתִּי | qoratseti | HVPp1cs |
I have been formed | I was pinched | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7169-03 |
Psalms 35:19 | יִקְרְצוּ | yiqeretsu | HVqi3mp |
wink | they pinch |
H7169-02 |
Proverbs 6:13 | קֹרֵ֣ץ | qorets | HVqrmsa |
winks | pinching one |
H7169-02 |
Proverbs 10:10 | קֹ֣רֵֽץ | qorets | HVqrmsa |
winks | pinching one |
H7169-02 |
Proverbs 16:30 | קֹרֵ֥ץ | qorets | HVqrmsa |
who purses | pinching one |
H7169-01 |
Job 33:6 | קֹרַ֥צְתִּי | qoratseti | HVPp1cs |
I have been formed | I was pinched |