English · KJV
H7127

קְרֵב

qᵉrêb /ker-abe'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to קָרַב
Meaning(to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose)
KJV usageapproach, come (near, nigh), draw near.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of qᵉrêb — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word qᵉrêb, represented by H7127, corresponds to the Hebrew קָרַב and means to approach or, causatively, to bring near for any purpose. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses in the Aramaic portions of Scripture, often denoting a significant movement toward a person, place, or object of consequence.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7127 is used to describe both physical proximity and the presentation of offerings. It depicts characters moving toward a focal point, such as when the Chaldeans came near to accuse the Jews Daniel 3:8 or when King Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the fiery furnace Daniel 3:26. In a liturgical sense, it is used for the act of presenting sacrifices, as when a hundred bullocks and other animals were offered at the dedication of the house of God Ezra 6:17. The word also carries a profound theological weight in Daniel's vision, where the Son of man is brought him near before the Ancient of days Daniel 7:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide context for the action of approaching:

  • H1934 hâvâʼ (to exist; be): This word is used in a great variety of applications and appears with H7127 to form the phrase "may offer" H1934{H7127} sacrifices to God Ezra 6:10, linking the state of being with the action of presentation.
  • H4291 mᵉṭâʼ (to arrive, extend or happen; come, reach): In Daniel's vision, the Son of man first came H4291 to the Ancient of days before being brought near Daniel 7:13, suggesting arrival as a precursor to formal presentation.
  • H7066 qᵉnâʼ (to purchase; buy): This term is linked to H7127 in Ezra's commission, where he is told to buy H7066 animals and then offer H7127 them upon the altar Ezra 7:17.
  • H7170 qᵉrats ([phrase] accuse): This word clarifies the hostile intent behind an approach, as when the Chaldeans came near H7127 and accused H7170 the Jews Daniel 3:8.
  • H858 ʼâthâh ({to arrive}; (be-) come, bring): Similar to H4291, this word describes the arrival of the Son of man who came H858 with the clouds before being brought near Daniel 7:13.

Theological Significance

The use of H7127 often carries significant purpose, whether judicial or theological.

  • Approaching for a Verdict: The word is frequently used in legal or royal settings. The Chaldeans came near to make a formal accusation Daniel 3:8, and others came near to the king to confirm his unalterable decree Daniel 6:12.
  • Approaching for Worship: The term is central to the act of sacrifice and worship. It is used for the command to offer sacrifices on the altar of God's house in Jerusalem Ezra 7:17 and for the dedication offerings made for all Israel Ezra 6:17.
  • Approaching the Divine Presence: The most profound uses of H7127 involve approaching a divine or supernatural scene. Daniel came near to a heavenly being to ask for the truth of his vision Daniel 7:16, and the Son of man is brought him near into the very presence of the Ancient of days Daniel 7:13.

Summary

In summary, H7127 is a dynamic Aramaic term that signifies more than simple movement. It describes a purposeful approach, connecting the physical act of drawing close with consequential actions like accusation, royal consultation, and sacred offerings. From a king approaching a den of lions Daniel 6:20 to the presentation of the Son of man before the Ancient of days Daniel 7:13, qᵉrêb marks a pivotal moment of encounter.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Haphel Perfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Peal Perfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Haphel Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Peal Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Peal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Conjunction+Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
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.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Peal
The Aramaic simple stem — counterpart of Hebrew Qal.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1934 הָוָא (Aramaic) or הָוָה; (Aramaic), corresponding to הָוָא; to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in H4291 מְטָא (Aramaic) or מְטָה; (Aramaic), apparently corresponding to מָצָא in the intransitive sense of being found present; to ar H7066 קְנָא (Aramaic) corresponding to קָנָה; to purchase; buy. H7170 קְרַץ (Aramaic) corresponding to קֶרֶץ in the sense of a bit (to 'eat the morsels of' any one, i.e.; chew him up (figuratively H858 אָתָה (Aramaic) or אָתָא; (Aramaic), corresponding to אָתָה; {to arrive}; (be-) come, bring.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Daniel (6 verses); never once in the other 37.

3
Ezra
6
Daniel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.