Word Study for H3741 (כָּרָה)

kârâh /kaw-raw'/ Ask about this word

Rootfeminine of כַּר

Meaninga meadow

KJV usagecottage.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kârâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word kârâh, represented by H3741, translates to cottage. As a very specific term, it appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular use provides a focused glimpse into its meaning as a simple, pastoral dwelling.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H3741 is in a prophecy within Zephaniah. The verse describes a future transformation of the Philistine sea coast into a peaceful, rustic landscape. It will become a place of "dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks" Zephaniah 2:6. Here, the word helps paint a picture of humble, pastoral life replacing a region previously marked for judgment.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in the immediate context of Zephaniah 2:6 enrich the meaning of this pastoral scene:

H7462 râʻâh (to tend a flock; shepherd): This word identifies the inhabitants of the cottages. The presence of shepherds points to a theme of guidance and care, most famously applied to God in the phrase, "The LORD is my shepherd" Psalms 23:1.
H5116 nâveh (habitation, dwelling place, fold): Appearing alongside cottages, this term describes a secure home or pasture. It is used to describe God restoring his people to their folds where they can be fruitful Jeremiah 23:3.
H1448 gᵉdêrâh (enclosure, fold, hedge): This specifies the structures for the animals. It refers to practical enclosures like sheepcotes 1 Samuel 24:3 or walls, providing safety for the flocks that are central to this restored life.
H6629 tsôʼn (flock): This word for a flock of sheep or goats is the reason for the cottages and folds. It often represents God's people, as in the declaration, "we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture" Psalms 100:3.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H3741 is derived entirely from its unique prophetic context.

Symbol of Restoration: The cottage stands as a sign of profound reversal. A desolate and judged land is prophesied to become a place of peaceful habitation and simple life, prepared for shepherds and their flocks Zephaniah 2:6.
Pastoral Peace: The word is deeply embedded in the pastoral imagery of God's care. The scene of cottages for shepherds evokes a tranquil existence under divine provision, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the nations.
Humble Habitation: Unlike palaces or fortresses, a cottage represents humility and simplicity. Its presence in this prophecy suggests that the restored land will be characterized by a peaceful, unpretentious community living in dependence on God.

Summary

In summary, while H3741 is a rare term, its single use is potent. The word kârâh does not just denote a physical structure but symbolizes a divinely orchestrated future of peace, restoration, and humble existence. It is a key element in a prophetic vision where a desolate coast is transformed into a safe and tranquil haven for shepherds and their flocks.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

כְּרֹת
בְּכוֹרֵי

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Zephaniah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.