### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **qôr**, represented by `{{H7120}}`, means **cold**. It is a highly specific term, appearing just **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible. Its significance is derived from its singular, foundational context within a divine promise.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H7120}}` occurs in [[Genesis 8:22]], as God makes a covenant after the flood. The verse states that as long as the earth remains, "seedtime and harvest, and **cold** and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Here, **cold** is established not as a random weather event, but as a fundamental, permanent, and divinely ordained component of the natural order, set in a series of balanced pairs that will govern the world.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several words from its context in [[Genesis 8:22]] are essential for understanding the role of **qôr**:
* `{{H2527}}` **chôm** (heat): This is the direct counterpart to **cold** in the covenantal promise. Defined as **heat** or "to be hot (warm)," it forms a necessary binary with `{{H7120}}`, representing the full spectrum of temperature cycles on earth [[Genesis 8:22]].
* `{{H2779}}` **chôreph** (winter): This word is defined as "the autumn (and winter) season" or **cold**. It represents the season most associated with `{{H7120}}`, and its presence in the promise reinforces the cyclical nature of seasons ([[Genesis 8:22]], [[Psalms 74:17]]).
* `{{H7019}}` **qayits** (summer): Representing the opposite season to winter, **qayits** is defined as **summer** or harvest time. Its inclusion alongside winter completes the seasonal cycle guaranteed in God's promise ([[Genesis 8:22]], [[Zechariah 14:8]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H7120}}` is tied entirely to its unique placement in scripture.
* **Divine Faithfulness:** The inclusion of **cold** in the list of things that "shall not cease" `{{H7673}}` makes it a symbol of God's enduring covenant with creation. It is a tangible reminder of the promise that the world's fundamental operations will remain stable and predictable [[Genesis 8:22]].
* **Purposeful Creation:** **Cold** is presented as an integral part of a balanced system. Paired with **heat** `{{H2527}}`, and linked to the seasons of **winter** `{{H2779}}` and **summer** `{{H7019}}`, it is part of the necessary rhythm that makes "seedtime and harvest" possible.
* **Established Order:** The word appears as God is re-establishing order on the **earth** `{{H776}}`. Its presence signifies that even elements that can seem harsh, like **cold**, have a fixed and permanent place in the world God sustains.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H7120}}` is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its single appearance is profoundly significant. As **cold**, it is more than a description of temperature; it is a pillar of the post-flood covenant. It represents the stability of the natural world and the reliability of God's promise to sustain the cycles of seasons, day, and night for as long as the earth remains.
TRV