from קָרָה; properly, something meeting, i.e. a frame (of timbers); building.
Transliteration:mᵉqâreh
Pronunciation:mek-aw-reh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term mᵉqâreh (`{{H4746}}`) derives from the root קָרָה (qarah, `{{H7136}}`), which fundamentally means "to meet," "to encounter," or "to happen." In its noun form, mᵉqâreh functions as an active participle, conveying the sense of "something meeting" or "a place where things meet." Specifically, it refers to the structural elements of a building where components are joined together. The base definition points to "a frame (of timbers)" or "building," emphasizing the assembled framework rather than raw material. This suggests the specific application of the root's meaning to the architectural context, where beams, rafters, and other wooden members are precisely fitted and "meet" to form a cohesive structure, particularly a roof or upper story frame. Its singular occurrence in the biblical text suggests a specialized, possibly technical, architectural term.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word mᵉqâreh (`{{H4746}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Nehemiah:
* **[[Nehemiah 2:8]]**: "and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may grant me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house which I shall occupy." (ESV)
In this critical passage, Nehemiah is requesting authorization and resources from King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and structures. The specific phrase "לְקֹרֹות הַבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר אָבֹא שָׁמָּה" (lᵉqorot habbayit asher avo shammah), translated as "beams for the house which I shall occupy," uses a form of qorâ (`{{H7016}}`, "beam" or "rafter") and then mᵉqâreh is likely implicitly understood or represented in the broader context of the "timber" ('etz, `{{H6086}}`) being requested for the *framing* of the house. The Strong's definition explicitly links mᵉqâreh to "building" or "frame of timbers." While some translations render this as "beams" or "roof," the underlying sense of mᵉqâreh as the structural *framing* where timbers "meet" is crucial. Nehemiah's request is not merely for raw wood, but for material suitable for the essential load-bearing and connecting components of his dwelling, indicating a specific architectural need for the reconstruction effort.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for mᵉqâreh (`{{H4746}}`) is its root, קָרָה (qarah, `{{H7136}}`), which carries the core meaning of "to meet," "to encounter," or "to happen." This root is pervasive in the Hebrew Bible, often describing providential encounters or events that "happen" or "befall" someone (e.g., [[Genesis 42:4]], [[Exodus 5:3]]). The application of this root to architectural elements highlights the precise joining and fitting of timbers that "meet" to form a stable structure.
Other related terms in the semantic field of building and construction include:
* בַּיִת (bayit, `{{H1004}}`): The general word for "house" or "temple," the structure for which mᵉqâreh provides the framing.
* עֵץ ('etz, `{{H6086}}`): "Tree," "wood," or "timber," the raw material. mᵉqâreh specifies the *use* of this timber as structural framing.
* קֹרָה (qorâ, `{{H7016}}`): "Beam," "rafter," or "roof-beam." This term is closely related and often used for individual structural timbers. While qorâ refers to the beam itself, mᵉqâreh might suggest the *system* or *assembly* of such beams that "meet" to form a frame.
* בָּנָה (banah, `{{H1129}}`): The verb "to build," encompassing the entire process of construction. mᵉqâreh describes a specific, vital component within this process.
The rarity of mᵉqâreh suggests it may have been a more technical or specialized term within ancient Israelite carpentry, emphasizing the crucial aspect of joined structural members.
### Theological Significance
While mᵉqâreh (`{{H4746}}`) is a technical architectural term with limited direct theological weight in itself, its singular appearance within the book of Nehemiah places it within a profoundly significant theological narrative: the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's mission was divinely inspired and enabled, a testament to God's faithfulness in restoring His people and their holy city after the Babylonian exile.
The request for "timber to make beams for the gates... for the wall... and for the house" in [[Nehemiah 2:8]] underscores the practical, tangible reality of God's work through human hands. The provision of mᵉqâreh—the essential structural framework—for Nehemiah's own dwelling symbolizes God's care even for the personal needs of His servants engaged in His greater work. It illustrates that divine provision extends to the very specific and necessary components required for the successful completion of a God-ordained task. The "meeting" of timbers in a frame can also serve as a subtle metaphor for the "meeting" of divine will and human effort, or the "meeting" of scattered exiles to form a restored community, all under God's sovereign hand. The mundane act of securing building materials becomes part of a sacred act of restoration.
### Summary
The Hebrew word mᵉqâreh (`{{H4746}}`), derived from the root קָרָה (qarah, `{{H7136}}`) meaning "to meet," denotes a "frame of timbers" or "building," specifically highlighting the structural components where elements are joined. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Nehemiah 2:8]] refers to the essential "beams" or structural framework needed for Nehemiah's house during the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This term underscores the practical, technical aspects of ancient construction, emphasizing the precise assembly of wooden members. Theologically, mᵉqâreh serves as a humble yet vital detail within the larger narrative of God's providential care and His enablement of human agents in the sacred task of restoring His people and their city, demonstrating that divine provision extends even to the specific materials required for His work.
TRV