קָרָא

qârâʼ /kaw-raw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
KJV usagebefall, (by) chance, (cause to) come (upon), fall out, happen, meet.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word qârâʼ, represented by H7122, conveys the idea of an encounter, whether accidental or hostile. It appears 16 times across 16 unique verses. The term's meaning encompasses events that befall a person, happen by chance, or describe when something or someone is caused to come upon another. Its usage ranges from random occurrences to divinely orchestrated events.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H7122 is used to describe a wide array of situations. It can refer to a personal fear of accidental harm, as when Jacob worried that mischief H611 might befall his son Benjamin (Genesis 42:4, Genesis 42:38). It is also used in prophetic contexts to describe future events, such as when Jacob gathered his sons to tell them what would befall them in the last days Genesis 49:1, or when Moses warned that evil would befall Israel for their disobedience Deuteronomy 31:29. The word can describe a chance meeting, like the young man who happened by chance upon Mount Gilboa 2 Samuel 1:6, or a hostile encounter, as when Absalom met the servants of David 2 Samuel 18:9. It is even used for a divine encounter, where the God of the Hebrews met with Moses and Aaron Exodus 5:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which events befall someone:

  • H7136 qârâh (to light upon, happen): This word is very similar and is used alongside H7122 to emphasize a chance event, as in the account of the man who happened H7136 by chance H7122 upon Saul on the mountain 2 Samuel 1:6.
  • H6293 pâgaʻ (to impinge, fall upon, meet): This term often implies a more forceful or violent encounter. In Exodus 5:3, Moses and Aaron ask to sacrifice to God, lest He fall H6293 upon them with pestilence, after stating that God had met H7122 with them.
  • H7451 raʻ (bad or evil): This word frequently describes the nature of what befalls people as a consequence of their actions. God caused "all this evil" H7451 to come H7122 upon Israel for their disobedience Jeremiah 32:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7122 is found in its application to both consequence and sovereignty.

  • Consequence of Sin: The term is frequently linked to judgment for disobedience. Moses warns that evil will befall the Israelites in the latter days because they will do evil in the sight of the LORD Deuteronomy 31:29. Jeremiah confirms this judgment, stating that evil has happened to the people because they sinned against the LORD Jeremiah 44:23.
  • Sovereignty in "Chance" Events: While H7122 can describe what seems to be a random event, such as a bird's nest chancing to be in one's path Deuteronomy 22:6, it is also used for events directly caused by God. God is the one who caused evil to come H7122 upon Israel Jeremiah 32:23, showing that even events that "happen" are within His control.
  • Personal and Prophetic Future: The word connects the personal anxieties of individuals, like Jacob's fears for his son Genesis 42:4, with the prophetic declarations about the future of an entire nation. Jacob tells his sons what will befall them in the last days Genesis 49:1, framing their future as a series of encounters with their destiny.

Summary

In summary, H7122 qârâʼ is a dynamic word that depicts the intersection of events and lives. It moves beyond a simple definition of "to happen" and illustrates a world where encounters can be accidental, hostile, or divinely initiated. Most significantly, it serves as a powerful reminder in scripture that actions have consequences, and that what "befalls" a person or a nation is often the direct result of their choices.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 138 occurrences, inflected in 15 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Infinitive Construct 121×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Infinitive Absolute 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Feminine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Feminine 1×
  • Qal Participle Plural Feminine Construct 1×

+ 3 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Genesis (3 verses).

3
Genesis
2
Exodus
1
Leviticus
2
Deuteronomy
3
2 Samuel
1
Job
1
Isaiah
3
Jeremiah

Verse Explorer

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