English · KJV
H3769

כָּרַר

kârar /kaw-rar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto dance (i.e. whirl)
KJV usagedance(-ing).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kârar — 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 kârar, represented by H3769, is a primitive root that means to dance (i.e. whirl). Although it appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses, its usage captures a powerful and specific act of worshipful celebration.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H3769 is used exclusively to describe King David's exuberant celebration as the ark of the Lord was brought into Jerusalem. The text states that David H1732 danced H3769 before the LORD H3068 with all his might 2 Samuel 6:14. This same event is observed by Saul's daughter Michal, who saw King David H1732 leaping and dancing H3769 before the LORD H3068 and consequently despised him 2 Samuel 6:16.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide deeper context to this act of worship:

  • H6339 pâzaz (to spring (as if separating the limbs); leap): This word is used in parallel with H3769, emphasizing the energetic and unrestrained physical expression of David's joy. Michal saw him leaping and dancing 2 Samuel 6:16.
  • H5797 ʻôz (strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)): This term qualifies the intensity of the dance, showing it was not a casual act but one of complete physical and emotional exertion. David danced with all his might 2 Samuel 6:14.
  • H959 bâzâh (to disesteem; despise): This word highlights the human reaction to David's uninhibited worship. In contrast to the celebration, Michal despised him for his actions 2 Samuel 6:16.
  • H6440 pânîym (the face... as a preposition (before, etc.)): This word establishes the audience and purpose of the dance. It was an act performed before the LORD, directly in His presence 2 Samuel 6:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3769 is centered on the nature of worship:

  • Wholehearted Expression: David's dance "with all his might" H5797 serves as a model for worship that engages the whole person—body, soul, and strength—without reservation 2 Samuel 6:14.
  • Royal Humility: The image of King David H1732 whirling and leaping before the ark demonstrates a leader humbling himself in joyful submission to the true King, the LORD H3068.
  • Worship over Dignity: The contrast between David's celebration and Michal's scorn H959 underscores a tension between authentic, uninhibited worship and the concern for human decorum or approval 2 Samuel 6:16. The focus is on God, not on the observers.

Summary

In summary, kârar H3769 provides a vivid snapshot of worship that is personal, physical, and powerful. Though its occurrences are few, they depict a king's complete and joyous abandon before God. The term illustrates that worship can be a dynamic, energetic celebration, offered with all one's might as an act of reverence and love directed solely toward the LORD.

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 verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • מְכַרְכֵּר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1732 דָּוִד rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H6339 פָּזַז a primitive root (identical with פָּזַז); to solidify (as if by refining); also to spring (as if separating the limbs); H5797 עֹז or (fully) עוֹז; from עָזַז; strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise); boldness, loud, might, H959 בָּזָה a primitive root; to disesteem; despise, disdain, contemn(-ptible), [phrase] think to scorn, vile person. H6440 פָּנִים plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a gre

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

2 verses, all in 2 Samuel — 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.