### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **miqreh**, represented by `{{H4745}}`, describes something met with by chance or fortune. It is derived from the root `{{H7136}}`, meaning to happen or light upon. Appearing **10 times** across **8 unique verses**, `{{H4745}}` conveys a range of meanings from a simple accident or "hap" to a profound, universal "event" that befalls all humanity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4745}}` is predominantly used in the book of Ecclesiastes to explore the shared fate of all living things. The Preacher observes that there is one **event** for the righteous and the wicked [[Ecclesiastes 9:2]], and the same **event** happens to both the wise man and the fool [[Ecclesiastes 2:14]]. This shared outcome extends even to humans and animals, as one **thing befalleth** them both, namely death [[Ecclesiastes 3:19]]. Outside of this philosophical context, the word is used more literally. In the story of Ruth, it was her **hap** to arrive at the field of Boaz [[Ruth 2:3]]. In 1 Samuel, the Philistines use the word **chance** to describe what might have happened to them if their affliction was not from God's hand [[1 Samuel 6:9]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help frame the concept of what befalls a person:
* `{{H7136}}` **qârâh** (happen unto): As the primitive root of `{{H4745}}`, this word describes the act of something coming to pass or being met with, often by accident. It is used in tandem with `{{H4745}}` to state that an event **happeneth** to all [[Ecclesiastes 2:14]].
* `{{H1892}}` **hebel** (vanity): This word is central to the Preacher's thesis in Ecclesiastes. The observation that one event `{{H4745}}` happens to everyone leads to the conclusion that "this also is **vanity**" [[Ecclesiastes 2:15]].
* `{{H4194}}` **mâveth** (death): This is the ultimate "event" referenced in Ecclesiastes. The text explicitly links the shared fate of man and beast by stating, "as the one **dieth**, so **dieth** the other" [[Ecclesiastes 3:19]].
* `{{H2450}}` **châkâm** (wise): This term is often contrasted with the fool, yet both are subject to the same **event** `{{H4745}}`, highlighting the limits of human wisdom in the face of a universal fate [[Ecclesiastes 2:14]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4745}}` is significant, particularly in wisdom literature.
* **Universal Fate Under the Sun:** The concept of "one **event** unto all" [[Ecclesiastes 9:3]] is used to illustrate a universal condition that equalizes every person, regardless of their moral standing or wisdom. It challenges the idea that a righteous or wise life guarantees a different earthly end.
* **Chance and Providence:** The word highlights the tension between what appears to be random **chance** [[1 Samuel 6:9]] and a divinely guided outcome. What seems like Ruth's simple **hap** [[Ruth 2:3]] is a pivotal moment in the lineage of David.
* **The Problem of Vanity:** By showing that the same **event** befalls both man and beast, leading to death [[Ecclesiastes 3:19]], the term underscores the Preacher's argument that life "under the sun," viewed apart from God, is transitory and unsatisfactory.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4745}}` is more than a term for an accident. It serves as a key philosophical term to contemplate the nature of life, death, and justice. From a chance encounter in a field to the great equalizer of all humanity, **miqreh** forces a reflection on the predictable and unpredictable aspects of life, ultimately pointing toward the limits of human understanding and the shared fate that connects every creature.
TRV