from קָרַח; ice; Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites; Korah.
Transliteration:Qôrach
Pronunciation:ko'rakh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma קֹרַח (Qôrach) is primarily understood in two distinct but related senses. Its foundational meaning derives from the root קָרַח (qārach), which signifies "to be bald," "to make bald," or "to be smooth/polished." From this root, the noun קֹרַח itself can denote "ice," "hail," or "frost," suggesting a smooth, cold, and often unyielding or destructive element. This common noun usage is relatively rare in the biblical text.
However, the overwhelming majority of occurrences of קֹרַח are as a proper noun, "Korah." The name, when applied to individuals, may subtly carry the connotations of its root meaning, perhaps implying a certain "baldness" (as in barrenness or lack of covering) or "coldness/hardness" in character, particularly in the case of the infamous rebel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name קֹרַח (Korah) is attributed to five distinct individuals across the Old Testament:
1. **Korah, son of Esau/Edom:** Mentioned in the genealogies of Edom as a "chief" or "duke."
* [[Genesis 36:5]], [[Genesis 36:14]], [[Genesis 36:18]] identify him as a son of Esau and Oholibamah.
* [[1 Chronicles 1:35]] reiterates his lineage as a son of Esau.
2. **Korah, son of Eliphaz:** Also an Edomite chief, listed as a duke from Eliphaz.
* [[Genesis 36:16]] distinguishes him, suggesting either a distinct individual or a variant genealogical tradition concerning the Edomite leadership.
3. **Korah, son of Izhar, grandson of Kohath, great-grandson of Levi:** This is the most significant and notorious figure bearing the name. He led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron.
* His lineage is established in [[Exodus 6:21]].
* The detailed account of his rebellion, challenging the divinely appointed authority of Moses and Aaron, is found in [[Numbers 16:1-49]]. This narrative culminates in his dramatic demise when the earth swallows him and his confederates.
* [[Numbers 26:9-11]] recounts the judgment upon him and notes the survival of his sons.
* [[Numbers 27:3]] references his fate.
* In the New Testament, [[Jude 1:11]] cites his rebellion as a warning against similar apostasy.
4. **Korah, a descendant of Judah:** Identified in the lineage of Caleb.
* [[1 Chronicles 2:43]] mentions him as a son of Hebron.
5. **Korah, a Levite gatekeeper:** A descendant of the infamous Korah, yet serving faithfully in the temple.
* [[1 Chronicles 9:19]] lists him as a gatekeeper, son of Ebiasaph.
* [[1 Chronicles 26:1]] also refers to the descendants of Korah serving as gatekeepers.
The common noun "ice" (קֹרַח) appears in poetic and wisdom literature:
* [[Job 6:16]] describes streams made dark by ice.
* [[Job 38:29]] attributes the production of ice and frost to God's power.
* [[Psalm 147:17]] speaks of God's control over ice and hailstones, depicting His majestic power over creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connections for קֹרַח (Qôrach) are found in its root and semantic field:
* **Root קָרַח (qārach):**
* `{{H7139}}` קָרַח (qārach): The verbal form, meaning "to be bald" or "to make bald." This is often used in contexts of mourning, judgment, or ritual defilement ([[Leviticus 21:5]], [[Deuteronomy 14:1]], [[Isaiah 3:24]], [[Jeremiah 16:6]]). The connection to "baldness" can imply barrenness, exposure, or a stripping away.
* `{{H7140}}` קָרְחָה (qorḥah): The noun form, specifically meaning "baldness" or "a bald spot."
* **Semantic Field of Cold/Water:**
* `{{H7945}}` שֶׁלֶג (sheleg): Snow.
* `{{H1259}}` בָּרָד (barad): Hail.
* `{{H4740}}` מָטָר (matar): Rain.
* **Thematic Connections to Rebellion and Authority:**
* **Dathan and Abiram:** Co-conspirators with Korah in the rebellion described in [[Numbers 16]].
* **Moses and Aaron:** The divinely appointed leaders whose authority Korah challenged.
* **Divine Judgment:** The swift and decisive action taken by God against Korah and his company.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of קֹרַח is profoundly shaped by the rebellion narrated in [[Numbers 16]].
* **Usurpation of Divine Authority:** Korah's rebellion represents a critical moment in Israel's wilderness journey, illustrating the dangers of spiritual pride and the usurpation of divinely ordained authority. His claim, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them" ([[Numbers 16:3]]), while seemingly appealing to the holiness of the entire community, was a direct challenge to God's specific appointments of Moses as leader and Aaron as high priest. This act underscored the principle that not all "holiness" grants equal access to sacred functions; divine calling and ordination are paramount.
* **The Seriousness of Rebellion Against God's Order:** The dramatic judgment that befell Korah and his company—the earth opening to swallow them—serves as a powerful and enduring testament to God's holiness, His defense of His chosen servants, and the severe consequences of defying His established order. This event was a stark warning to Israel about the gravity of rebellion against God's will and His chosen instruments.
* **Divine Mercy and Redemption of Lineage:** A significant theological nuance is found in the declaration that "the sons of Korah did not die" ([[Numbers 26:11]]). Their survival, and the subsequent faithful service of their descendants (e.g., as temple gatekeepers and, most notably, as the composers/performers of numerous Psalms, such as [[Psalm 42]], [[Psalm 44]], [[Psalm 45]], [[Psalm 46]], [[Psalm 47]], [[Psalm 48]], [[Psalm 49]], [[Psalm 84]], [[Psalm 85]], [[Psalm 87]], [[Psalm 88]]), powerfully illustrates God's mercy. It demonstrates that judgment is specific and does not necessarily condemn subsequent generations, offering a profound example of redemption and the possibility of a new, righteous beginning even after profound ancestral sin.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קֹרַח (Qôrach) carries a dual significance in the biblical text. While its literal meaning points to "ice" or "frost," derived from a root associated with "baldness" or "smoothness," its most prominent usage is as the proper name "Korah." This name identifies several individuals, but it is indelibly linked to the infamous Levite who led a devastating rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. This pivotal narrative in [[Numbers 16]] serves as a profound theological warning against the dangers of spiritual pride, envy, and the usurpation of divinely appointed authority, highlighting God's swift and severe judgment against such defiance. Nevertheless, the survival and subsequent faithful service of "the sons of Korah" offer a compelling counter-narrative, underscoring themes of divine mercy, the potential for a lineage's redemption, and the capacity for God to bring forth faithful service even from a family touched by significant sin. The subtle interplay between the word's literal meaning of cold, unyielding ice and its association with a hard-hearted, rebellious figure adds a rich layer of symbolic depth to its biblical prominence.
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