a primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open; dig, [idiom] make (a banquet), open.
Transliteration:kârâh
Pronunciation:kaw-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H3738 (כָּרָה, kârâh) is a primitive verb primarily conveying the physical action of "to dig." This foundational meaning encompasses the creation of an opening, an excavation, or a hollow space, often in the earth. From this literal sense, the word extends semantically to several important nuances. Figuratively, kârâh can mean "to plot" or "to scheme," evoking the image of "digging a pit" as a trap for another, thus implying hidden, often malicious, intent. In a broader sense, it can mean "to bore" or "to open," referring to the creation of an aperture beyond just the ground. A particularly interesting idiomatic usage found in the biblical text is "to make (a banquet)," suggesting the extensive preparation or the "opening" of a feast. This range highlights the verb's capacity to describe both physical labor and abstract, often moral, actions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H3738 in the Hebrew Bible demonstrate its diverse semantic range:
1. **Literal Digging:** The most common usage refers to the physical act of digging. This is evident in contexts related to water sources, crucial for survival in arid lands:
* [[Genesis 26:25]]: Isaac's servants "dug" a well, signifying the establishment of a community and the provision of life-sustaining water.
* [[Numbers 21:18]]: The nobles of the people "dug" the well, highlighting communal effort and leadership in securing resources.
* [[2 Kings 3:16]]: Elisha instructs the kings to "dig" many ditches, a strategic act to collect water during a drought, showcasing divine intervention through human effort.
* [[Deuteronomy 6:11]]: Refers to "cisterns hewn out" (or dug out), emphasizing the effort involved in preparing permanent dwellings in the promised land.
2. **Figurative Plotting/Scheming:** A significant number of occurrences employ H3738 metaphorically to describe malicious intent, often with the imagery of digging a pit or trap:
* [[Psalm 7:15]]: "He made a pit, and dug it, and has fallen into the ditch which he made." This vividly illustrates the principle of divine justice, where the plotter becomes ensnared by their own scheme.
* [[Psalm 35:7]]: "For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have dug for my soul." Here, the act of digging is directly linked to an unjust and harmful conspiracy.
* [[Psalm 57:6]]: "They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dug a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves." Reinforces the theme of self-entrapment for the wicked.
* [[Proverbs 16:27]]: "An ungodly man diggeth up evil," suggesting the active seeking out or creation of mischief.
* [[Proverbs 26:27]] and [[Ecclesiastes 10:8]]: Both repeat the proverb, "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein," underscoring the consistent biblical teaching on the consequences of malicious plotting.
3. **Idiomatic "Making a Banquet":** A unique and striking usage appears in:
* [[2 Kings 6:23]]: Elisha "prepared" (kârâh) a great feast for the Aramean army, whom he had miraculously blinded and led into Samaria. This instance stands in stark contrast to the "plotting" sense, demonstrating an act of extraordinary mercy and hospitality towards enemies, transforming a potential battle into a meal. The "digging" here might metaphorically refer to the extensive preparation or "opening up" of resources for a grand meal.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H3738 connects it to several related Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **Words for Pits and Holes:** `{{H953}}` (bôr, "cistern, pit"), `{{H7845}}` (shûaḥ, "pit, hole"), `{{H6354}}` (paḥath, "pit, snare"). These terms often appear in conjunction with H3738 when describing traps or excavations.
* **Words for Plotting and Devising:** `{{H2803}}` (ḥāshab, "to think, devise, plot"), `{{H2161}}` (zāmam, "to devise, plot evil"). These verbs describe the mental process behind the malicious actions depicted by H3738.
* **Words for Hewing/Cutting:** `{{H2672}}` (ḥaṣab, "to hew, cut out"), often used for shaping stone, including for cisterns, which aligns with the "boring" or "opening" aspect of H3738.
* **Concepts:**
* **Divine Retribution:** The recurring motif of the plotter falling into their own pit is a powerful illustration of God's justice and sovereignty over human evil.
* **Human Labor and Provision:** The literal digging of wells highlights the essential human effort required for sustenance and the establishment of life.
* **Hospitality and Mercy:** The banquet idiom in [[2 Kings 6:23]] stands as a testament to God's capacity for unexpected grace, even towards enemies, through the actions of His prophet.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3738 is multifaceted:
1. **Divine Justice and the Boomerang Effect of Sin:** The most potent theological implication of kârâh in its figurative sense is the principle of *lex talionis* or divine retribution. The consistent portrayal of the wicked "digging a pit" only to fall into it themselves ([[Psalm 7:15]], [[Proverbs 26:27]], [[Ecclesiastes 10:8]]) serves as a profound theological statement. It underscores God's active involvement in human affairs, ensuring that evil schemes ultimately prove self-defeating. This demonstrates His righteousness and His commitment to upholding justice.
2. **Human Responsibility and Dependence:** The literal act of digging for water sources (e.g., [[Genesis 26:25]]) speaks to human diligence, resourcefulness, and the necessity of labor in God's creation. Yet, it also implicitly highlights humanity's dependence on God for the provision of life-sustaining elements like water, even when human effort is involved.
3. **God's Surprising Grace and Provision:** The remarkable account in [[2 Kings 6:23]], where Elisha "prepares" a banquet for the enemy army, offers a stark contrast to the usual negative connotations of kârâh. This act of radical hospitality, facilitated by divine power, transcends typical human responses to hostility. It illustrates God's character of mercy and His desire to overcome evil with good, providing sustenance and peace where conflict might be expected. It serves as a powerful example of how God can transform situations, demonstrating His boundless grace and provision, even for adversaries.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H3738 (כָּרָה, kârâh) is a rich and dynamic verb. Its primary meaning is "to dig," encompassing the literal excavation of wells and ditches essential for life in the ancient world. This physical action extends metaphorically to "plotting" or "scheming," particularly in the context of "digging a pit" to entrap others. This figurative usage powerfully conveys the insidious nature of malicious intent and serves as a recurring biblical motif illustrating divine justice: the one who plots evil often falls into their own snare. Intriguingly, kârâh also carries an idiomatic sense of "making" or "preparing" a banquet, as exemplified by Elisha's act of mercy towards his enemies. Thus, kârâh encapsulates the spectrum from diligent human labor and the consequences of sin to the profound depths of God's unexpected grace and provision.
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