(Aramaic) corresponding to קְרָב; {hostile encounter}; war.
Transliteration:qᵉrâb
Pronunciation:ker-awb'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term H7129 (qᵉrâb) denotes a "hostile encounter" or "war." It is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew H7128 (qerab), carrying the same fundamental meaning of armed conflict or battle. Its semantic range is quite focused, referring specifically to organized military engagement or a state of belligerence between opposing parties. It encapsulates the active process of combat and the broader concept of warfare.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H7129 (qᵉrâb) appears only once in the biblical text, in the Aramaic portion of the Book of Daniel:
* **[[Daniel 7:21]]**: "I beheld, and the same horn made **war** with the saints, and prevailed against them;"
* In this pivotal prophetic vision, qᵉrâb describes the aggressive actions of the "little horn" – a symbol of an oppressive, anti-divine power – against the "saints of the Most High." The "war" depicted here is not limited to conventional military engagement but encompasses intense persecution, ideological opposition, and spiritual assault. It signifies a direct and forceful confrontation designed to suppress and overcome God's people. The context is deeply eschatological, portraying the ultimate conflict between the forces of evil and the divine kingdom. The temporary "prevailing" of the horn highlights the severe trials faced by the saints, yet it sets the stage for God's ultimate intervention and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, as seen in the subsequent verses of Daniel 7.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its Hebrew counterpart, H7128 (qerab), which also means "battle" or "war." This direct correspondence underscores the consistent understanding of this concept across the Aramaic and Hebrew portions of the Old Testament.
Other related Hebrew terms for conflict and warfare include:
* `{{H4421}}` (milchamah): The most common and comprehensive Hebrew term for "war" or "battle," encompassing the full scope of military conflict.
* `{{H7379}}` (riyb): Often translated as "strife," "dispute," or "contention," which can denote legal or social conflict but sometimes extends to physical confrontation.
* `{{H5324}}` (natsah): "To strive" or "contend," also indicating a state of dispute or conflict.
Conceptually, H7129 relates to:
* Persecution of the righteous.
* Cosmic conflict between good and evil.
* The spiritual struggle of believers against adversarial forces.
* The sovereignty of God amidst human and spiritual warfare.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of H7129 in [[Daniel 7:21]] carries profound theological weight. It unveils the prophetic reality of intense conflict between oppressive earthly powers, animated by spiritual wickedness, and the people of God. The "war" waged by the little horn against the saints signifies a comprehensive assault—physical, ideological, and spiritual—aimed at subverting divine authority and eradicating God's faithful.
This passage serves as a stark reminder that the path of faith is often marked by adversarial encounters. However, the temporary nature of the horn's "prevailing" is crucial. The vision immediately shifts to the judgment of the Ancient of Days and the bestowal of the kingdom upon the "saints of the Most High" ([[Daniel 7:22]], [[Daniel 7:27]]). Thus, qᵉrâb in this context not only highlights the severity of the conflict but also implicitly points to the ultimate triumph of God's sovereign plan over all opposing forces. It underscores the theme of perseverance in faith despite tribulation, assured by the ultimate victory of the divine kingdom.
### Summary
H7129 (qᵉrâb) is an Aramaic term signifying "hostile encounter" or "war," directly corresponding to the Hebrew H7128. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Daniel 7:21]] is highly significant, describing the "war" waged by the oppressive "little horn" against the saints. This context reveals a multifaceted conflict encompassing persecution and spiritual opposition. Theologically, qᵉrâb in Daniel 7:21 underscores the reality of intense adversarial forces confronting God's people, while simultaneously affirming God's ultimate sovereignty and the assured triumph of His kingdom over all earthly and spiritual opposition, offering a profound message of hope and perseverance in the face of tribulation.
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