by variation from קָרַס; the paunch or belly (as swelling out); belly.
Transliteration:kᵉrês
Pronunciation:ker-ace'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term kᵉrês (`{{H3770}}`) is defined as "the paunch or belly (as swelling out)." Its etymological root is linked to qāras (`{{H7169}}`), which conveys the idea of bending, bowing down, or sinking. This connection suggests a physical characteristic of the abdomen that is protuberant or hanging, hence the specific nuance of a "paunch" or a full, distended belly, rather than a general reference to the abdominal region. Semantically, kᵉrês thus emphasizes the outward appearance of the belly, distinguishing it from terms that might refer to the internal organs or the belly as a metaphorical seat of emotions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
It is crucial to note that kᵉrês (`{{H3770}}`) does not appear in the standard Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible. While some older concordances, including certain editions of Strong's, list it as occurring in [[Leviticus 11:6]], this is widely considered a textual error. The actual word found in [[Leviticus 11:6]] in the Masoretic Text is gērāh (`{{H1625}}`), meaning "cud" ("The hare, because it chews the *cud* but does not have a divided hoof, is unclean for you."). The inclusion of kᵉrês in some lexicons for this verse likely stems from a scribal variant or a misidentification in early lexicographical work. Therefore, no direct biblical context or usage can be analyzed for kᵉrês itself. Its absence means it does not contribute to the narrative, legal, poetic, or prophetic discourse of the Hebrew Scriptures.
### Related Words & Concepts
While kᵉrês (`{{H3770}}`) is not found in the biblical text, its proposed meaning of "belly" or "paunch" connects it conceptually to other Hebrew terms for the abdominal region. The most common and general term for "belly," "womb," or "inward parts" is beṭen (`{{H990}}`). This word is extensively used to refer to the physical abdomen, the womb (as the place of conception and birth), and sometimes metaphorically as the seat of inner thoughts or feelings. Other related terms include mē'im (`{{H4578}}`), referring to the bowels or inward parts, often associated with deep emotions or distress, and qerev (`{{H7130}}`), denoting the inward parts or the midst. Had kᵉrês been present, its specific nuance of a "swelling out" or "paunch" would have provided a more precise physical descriptor, perhaps contrasting with the broader or more metaphorical uses of beṭen and mē'im. The connection to qāras (`{{H7169}}`) further highlights its descriptive nature, implying a physical characteristic of sagging or distention.
### Theological Significance
Due to its absence from the standard Masoretic Text, kᵉrês (`{{H3770}}`) carries no direct theological significance within biblical theology. Any theological implications must be drawn from the broader biblical understanding of the "belly" (primarily through beṭen `{{H990}}`) as a concept. In the Scriptures, the belly can represent:
1. **The Physical Body and its Needs:** As the locus of consumption and digestion, the belly often signifies physical appetite and sustenance. Dietary laws, for instance, are concerned with what enters the belly ([[Leviticus 11]]).
2. **The Source of Life:** The "belly" as a womb is profoundly significant, representing fertility, lineage, and the miraculous gift of life ([[Genesis 25:23]], [[Psalm 139:13]]).
3. **A Seat of Physical or Spiritual State:** While beṭen can sometimes refer to inner feelings, it is more often associated with physical well-being or distress. A "full belly" might signify prosperity or gluttony ([[Proverbs 28:25]]), while an empty one indicates hunger or suffering. In a negative sense, "making their belly their god" ([[Philippians 3:19]]) speaks to idolatry of physical appetites.
Had kᵉrês been present with its specific meaning of "paunch," it might have emphasized themes related to excess, physical appearance, or the consequences of indulgence, but such theological inferences remain speculative given its textual status.
### Summary
The Hebrew word kᵉrês (`{{H3770}}`) is defined as "paunch" or "belly (as swelling out)," stemming from a root implying distention. However, it is critically important to acknowledge that this word does not appear in the standard Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible. Its rare citation in some older concordances, particularly for [[Leviticus 11:6]], is widely recognized as an error, with the correct word in that passage being gērāh (`{{H1625}}`), "cud." Consequently, kᵉrês holds no direct biblical occurrences or inherent theological significance. Its conceptual meaning, if it were present, would relate to the physical abdomen, particularly its outward appearance, thereby connecting tangentially to broader biblical themes concerning the body, appetite, and life, primarily expressed through more common terms like beṭen (`{{H990}}`).