### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term qêrêach (`{{H7142}}`) is derived from the root קָרַח (qārach, `{{H7139}}`), which fundamentally means "to be bald," "to make bald," or "to be smooth/polished." This root also extends to concepts like ice or frost, emphasizing a quality of bareness or smoothness. Specifically, qêrêach describes a person who is "bald," with the nuance often implying baldness on the back of the head, distinguishing it from baldness on the forehead (which is designated by gabbacha, `{{H1378}}`). Its semantic range is primarily descriptive of this physical condition of hairlessness on the scalp. It is a neutral descriptive term in its base meaning, though its contextual usage can imbue it with specific cultural or ritual implications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of qêrêach (`{{H7142}}`) in the Hebrew Bible are limited but significant:
* **Leviticus 13:40**: "And if a man's hair is fallen off his head, he is bald (qêrêach); yet is he clean." This verse appears within the comprehensive purity laws concerning skin diseases. Here, qêrêach refers to a person who has naturally lost hair, specifically on the back of the head. The crucial point is the declaration of "cleanliness," indicating that natural baldness itself does not constitute ritual impurity or a sign of leprosy. This distinguishes between a normal physiological condition and a state of ritual defilement.
* **Leviticus 13:41**: "And if his hair is fallen off from the front of his head, he is forehead bald (gabbacha, `{{H1378}}`); he is clean." This verse immediately follows and contrasts qêrêach with gabbacha (`{{H1378}}`), specifying different areas of baldness. Both types are explicitly declared clean, reinforcing that natural hair loss, regardless of location, did not render an Israelite impure under the Mosaic Law.
* **2 Kings 2:23**: "And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head (qêrêach); go up, thou bald head (qêrêach)." This is the most well-known and dramatic occurrence. The prophet Elisha is mocked by a group of youths for his baldness. The repetition of "bald head" emphasizes the insult. This incident serves as a powerful narrative, culminating in divine judgment upon the youths, not for merely observing Elisha's baldness, but for their contemptuous mockery of a prophet of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **קָרַח (qārach, `{{H7139}}`):** The verbal root from which qêrêach is derived, meaning "to be bald" or "to make bald." It also carries connotations of smoothness or bareness, as seen in its usage for ice or a smooth rock.
* **גַּבַּחַת (gabbacha, `{{H1378}}`):** This term specifically denotes "forehead baldness." Its pairing with qêrêach in Leviticus 13 highlights the precise terminology used in the Torah to differentiate types of baldness.
* **Mourning Practices:** While qêrêach refers to natural baldness, the act of shaving one's head (often using the root קָרַח or related terms) was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern mourning rituals (e.g., [[Jeremiah 16:6]], [[Amos 8:10]]). Israelites were sometimes forbidden from engaging in such practices when they mimicked pagan rites or involved self-mutilation ([[Deuteronomy 14:1]]).
* **Priestly Integrity:** Priests were explicitly forbidden from making themselves bald or shaving the corners of their beards ([[Leviticus 21:5]]), emphasizing a standard of physical integrity and distinction from pagan mourning or cultic practices. This prohibition underscores that while natural baldness was clean, intentional self-mutilation or excessive displays of grief were not permissible for those consecrated to God.
* **Nazirite Vow (נֵזֶר, nezer, `{{H5145}}`):** In stark contrast to baldness, the Nazirite vow required the individual to let their hair grow long as a sign of consecration to God ([[Numbers 6:5]]). This highlights the symbolic significance hair could hold, representing dedication, strength, or a unique relationship with the divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of qêrêach (`{{H7142}}`) can be understood through its varied contexts:
* **Divine Compassion and Purity:** In the Levitical purity laws, the explicit declaration that qêrêach does not render a person unclean ([[Leviticus 13:40-41]]) reveals a compassionate aspect of God's law. It distinguishes between natural physical conditions, which are not inherently defiling, and diseases or ritual transgressions that require purification. This demonstrates that God's standards of purity are not based on outward physical appearance or perceived imperfections, but on health, obedience, and the state of ritual integrity.
* **Respect for God's Servants:** The narrative concerning Elisha in [[2 Kings 2:23]] provides a profound theological lesson. The youths' mockery of Elisha's baldness was not merely a personal affront but an act of contempt directed at a prophet, and thus, implicitly, at God Himself, who had chosen and empowered Elisha. The severe divine judgment that followed underscores the sanctity of God's chosen messengers and the gravity of treating them with disrespect or irreverence. It serves as a powerful reminder that mocking a physical characteristic of God's servant can be seen as mocking God's authority and wisdom in His selection.
* **God's Sovereignty over Appearance:** The inclusion of natural baldness in the purity laws, and its declaration as clean, subtly points to God's sovereignty over human appearance. While human society may attach various social or aesthetic values to physical traits, God's ultimate judgment and acceptance are not predicated on such external factors but on the condition of the heart and adherence to His covenant.
### Summary
The Hebrew word qêrêach (`{{H7142}}`) denotes baldness, particularly on the back of the head. Its limited but impactful biblical occurrences reveal significant theological insights. In the Levitical purity laws, qêrêach is explicitly declared clean, underscoring God's compassionate distinction between natural physical conditions and sources of ritual impurity. This highlights that physical appearance does not determine one's standing before God. The dramatic encounter in [[2 Kings 2:23]], where Elisha is mocked for his baldness, serves as a stark warning against irreverence and contempt for God's chosen prophets. The divine judgment that follows emphasizes the profound importance of respecting God's messengers and, by extension, God Himself. Thus, qêrêach transcends a mere physical description, serving as a vehicle for profound theological lessons concerning purity, the sanctity of divine authority, and God's discerning perspective on human attributes.
TRV