### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term קֹרֵא (qôrêʼ, `{{H7124}}`) functions primarily as a noun, specifically identifying the "partridge." Its etymology is crucial to understanding its core meaning. The word is an active participle derived from the verb קָרָא (qārāʼ, `{{H7121}}`), which means "to call, cry out, proclaim, or read." Thus, קֹרֵא literally signifies "a caller" or "one who calls out." The partridge, known for its distinctive cry or call, is therefore named for this characteristic vocalization. While the fundamental meaning is "caller," its semantic range in biblical usage is narrowly focused on the bird itself, with the etymological link providing insight into the creature's nature rather than a broader application of "calling."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term קֹרֵא (qôrêʼ, `{{H7124}}`) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering a rich metaphorical context:
1. **[[1 Samuel 26:20]]**: In this passage, David, while fleeing from King Saul, pleads with Saul, saying, "Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains." Here, David likens himself to a partridge, a small, agile bird that is notoriously difficult to catch, especially in rugged, mountainous terrain. The simile highlights several aspects:
* **David's Vulnerability**: Despite his anointing, David is hunted like a common, small creature.
* **Saul's Relentless Pursuit**: Saul's pursuit is depicted as intense, disproportionate, and perhaps even futile, given the partridge's elusiveness.
* **Injustice**: The comparison underscores the injustice of Saul's actions, as a king should not be expending such effort on a "flea" or a "partridge," implying a lack of dignity and righteousness in the hunt.
2. **[[Jeremiah 17:11]]**: This verse presents a powerful proverb: "Like the partridge that gathers a brood which she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool." This simile draws on an ancient observation (or perhaps a popular belief) regarding the partridge. While ornithologically debated whether partridges consistently gather eggs not their own, the popular perception was that they might, or that they were prone to abandoning their nests, leading to the loss of their brood. The point of the comparison is clear:
* **Ill-Gotten Gain**: The one who acquires wealth unjustly is likened to the partridge that gathers eggs it did not hatch. The wealth is not truly "theirs" in a righteous sense.
* **Futility and Loss**: Just as the partridge's efforts are ultimately in vain (the brood will not remain with her), so too will ill-gotten riches abandon the one who acquired them.
* **Divine Judgment**: The consequence for such a person is that "at his end he will be a fool," implying not only a loss of wealth but also a spiritual or moral condemnation. This verse serves as a strong warning against covetousness and unrighteous acquisition.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for קֹרֵא (qôrêʼ, `{{H7124}}`) is its root verb, קָרָא (qārāʼ, `{{H7121}}`), "to call, cry out." This fundamental link underscores the bird's characteristic vocalization. Conceptually, the occurrences of קֹרֵא relate to:
* **Hunting and Pursuit**: As seen in [[1 Samuel 26:20]], the word evokes the imagery of the chase, vulnerability, and the hunter-prey dynamic. Other Hebrew terms for hunting include צוד (ṣûd, `{{H6679}}`).
* **Proverbial Wisdom**: In [[Jeremiah 17:11]], the partridge serves as a key element in a moral proverb, typical of wisdom literature and prophetic teaching that uses everyday phenomena to convey profound truths.
* **Justice and Injustice**: Both passages touch upon themes of righteous and unrighteous actions, whether Saul's unjust pursuit of David or the unrighteous acquisition of wealth.
* **Transience of Worldly Possessions**: The Jeremiah passage specifically highlights the impermanence of wealth obtained through unrighteous means.
### Theological Significance
While קֹרֵא (qôrêʼ, `{{H7124}}`) itself is not a word of direct theological import in the way terms for God or covenant might be, its metaphorical uses carry significant theological weight:
In [[1 Samuel 26:20]], David's comparison of himself to a partridge appeals implicitly to God's justice and sovereignty. By highlighting his vulnerability and Saul's disproportionate pursuit, David places his fate in God's hands, trusting that the Lord will judge between him and Saul. It speaks to the theme of divine protection for the humble and persecuted, even when they appear as insignificant as a hunted bird. It underscores that God sees and cares for the marginalized.
In [[Jeremiah 17:11]], the partridge serves as a powerful symbol in a divine warning against covetousness and unrighteous gain. This passage articulates a core theological principle: wealth acquired unjustly will not endure. God's moral order ensures that such gains are ultimately fleeting, leading to personal ruin and divine condemnation ("he will be a fool"). This reinforces the biblical emphasis on righteousness, integrity, and the ultimate accountability to God for one's actions, particularly concerning material possessions. It highlights the divine justice that ensures a just recompense for both the righteous and the wicked.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קֹרֵא (qôrêʼ, `{{H7124}}`) denotes the "partridge," a bird named for its characteristic "call" (from קָרָא, `{{H7121}}`). Though its occurrences are limited to two verses, each is exceptionally rich in metaphorical and theological significance. In [[1 Samuel 26:20]], David's self-identification with a hunted partridge underscores his vulnerability and Saul's unjust, relentless pursuit, implicitly appealing to God's protective justice. In [[Jeremiah 17:11]], the partridge serves as a vivid simile for the futility and condemnation awaiting those who acquire wealth unrighteously, emphasizing the transient nature of ill-gotten gain and the certainty of divine judgment. Thus, while referring to a common creature, קֹרֵא is employed in the biblical text to convey profound truths about human vulnerability, divine protection, and the moral consequences of unrighteousness.
TRV