קְרַץ
𐤒𐤓𐤑
qᵉrats
H7170 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
to slander, accuse, bring an accusation against someone, particularly by speaking ill of them behind their back; in certain contexts, to chew, eat, or metaphorically to 'devour' someone with words. The term denotes the act of defaming or falsely accusing, highlighting the impact of malicious speech rather than simply the fact of accusation.
Semantic Range
to slander, to accuse, to bring charges, to speak maliciously against, to backbite, to chew or devour metaphorically with words
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ק־ר־ץ, which in Hebrew (קֶרֶץ, qéreṣ) means 'a bit' (fragment, small piece, especially of food). The Aramaic verb usage is connected by semantic extension: from the literal act of chewing or eating a small bit, figuratively to 'chew over' a person's reputation—to slander, backbite, or accuse. The development from physical action to metaphorical speech parallels similar semantic shifts in other Semitic roots. Root is ק־ר־ץ.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel 3:8), קְרַץ occurs in the phrase קְרַצִּין כָּל־אַנְשַׁיָּא 'brought accusation against the men', implying malicious, slanderous accusation—typically behind someone's back or as a form of informing. The word's metaphorical use draws upon the image of tearing or chewing up something small, transferred to the harm done by speech to reputation or standing. This is distinct from direct legal accusation, instead emphasizing the damaging, often informal talk associated with slander or malicious gossip. Later translations (Septuagint, Vulgate) and interpretations often render this as 'accused', but the nuance of malicious intent is sometimes lost in translation. Related Hebrew terms like רָכִיל (rakil, 'slanderer, gossip') reflect similar social behaviors, but קְרַץ expresses the metaphor of 'chewing up' with words. The sense does not undergo major historical shift but is limited to Aramaic passages where the context is public accusation or informal denunciation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to קֶרֶץ in the sense of a bit (to 'eat the morsels of' any one, i.e.; chew him up (figuratively) by slander; [phrase] accuse.
Bantu Hebrew
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קרץ (q-r-ts) — gnawing, chewing, fragmenting, breaking into pieces
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7170-01 |
קַרְצֵי/ה֖וֹן | qaretseyhon | ANcmpc/Sp3mp |
their pieces | their gnawings | 1 |
H7170-02 |
קַרְצ֨וֹ/הִי֙ | qaretsohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
his pieces | his gnawings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7170-01 |
Daniel 3:8 | קַרְצֵי/ה֖וֹן | qaretseyhon | ANcmpc/Sp3mp |
their pieces | their gnawings |
H7170-02 |
Daniel 6:25 | קַרְצ֨וֹ/הִי֙ | qaretsohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
his pieces | his gnawings |