from קָרַח; bald; Kareach, an Israelite; Careah, Kareah.
Transliteration:Qârêach
Pronunciation:kaw-ray'-akh
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H7143 (קָרֵחַ, Qârêach) is derived from the root קָרַח (qārach, `{{H7139}}`), which primarily signifies "to be bald" or "to make bald." As an adjective, H7143 would mean "bald." However, within the biblical text, H7143 functions exclusively as a proper noun, specifically a personal name. Its semantic range is thus confined to identifying an individual, Kareah, the father of Johanan and Jonathan. While the etymological root suggests a physical characteristic, there is no textual evidence to indicate that the individual named Kareah was actually bald, nor does the name's meaning contribute to the narrative about him or his sons.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H7143 (קָרֵחַ, Qârêach) appears in the Hebrew Bible solely as a proper name, identifying the father of Johanan and Jonathan. Kareah himself is not a direct participant in the narrative, but his sons play a significant role during the tumultuous period following the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and the appointment of Gedaliah as governor. The occurrences are concentrated in the book of Jeremiah and a parallel account in 2 Kings:
* [[Jeremiah 40:8]]: Johanan the son of Kareah is introduced as one of the military commanders who came to Gedaliah at Mizpah.
* [[Jeremiah 40:13]]: Johanan, son of Kareah, is again mentioned among the commanders.
* [[Jeremiah 40:15]]: Johanan the son of Kareah privately warns Gedaliah about Ishmael's plot to assassinate him.
* [[Jeremiah 40:16]]: Gedaliah disbelieves the warning from Johanan the son of Kareah.
* [[Jeremiah 41:11]]: Johanan the son of Kareah and other commanders learn of Ishmael's evil deeds.
* [[Jeremiah 41:13]]: People are relieved when they see Johanan the son of Kareah and his forces after Ishmael's massacre.
* [[Jeremiah 41:16]]: Johanan the son of Kareah leads the rescue of the captives taken by Ishmael.
* [[Jeremiah 42:1]]: Johanan the son of Kareah, along with other commanders and the people, approaches Jeremiah the prophet for divine guidance.
* [[Jeremiah 43:2]]: Johanan the son of Kareah, along with other arrogant men, accuses Jeremiah of lying about God's command not to go to Egypt.
* [[Jeremiah 43:4]]: Johanan the son of Kareah and the commanders disobey the Lord's voice, choosing not to remain in Judah.
* [[Jeremiah 43:5]]: Johanan the son of Kareah leads the remnant of Judah into Egypt.
* [[2 Kings 25:23]]: This parallel account corroborates Johanan the son of Kareah as one of the commanders who came to Gedaliah.
In all these instances, H7143 serves as a patronymic, establishing the lineage of Johanan, a key figure in the post-exilic remnant. The repeated identification emphasizes Johanan's identity and perhaps his family's standing among the surviving Judahites.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root קָרַח (qārach, `{{H7139}}`), from which H7143 is derived. This root signifies "to be bald" or "to make bare," and is used to describe physical baldness, often in contexts of mourning, disgrace, or specific Levitical laws (e.g., [[Leviticus 13:40]], [[Isaiah 3:24]], [[Micah 1:16]]). Another related noun is קָרְחָה (qorḥah, `{{H7144}}`), meaning "baldness" or "a bald spot."
While the name Kareah is etymologically linked to baldness, this connection is not explored or made relevant in the biblical narrative concerning the individual Kareah or his son Johanan. This is a common phenomenon in biblical onomastics, where the meaning of a name does not always correspond to the life or characteristics of the person bearing it.
Conceptually, the narrative surrounding Johanan, son of Kareah, connects H7143 to broader themes of post-exilic Jewish history, leadership, and divine guidance. It touches upon the challenges of discerning and obeying God's will amidst national devastation and political uncertainty.
### Theological Significance
As a proper name, H7143 (Kareah) does not possess inherent theological meaning. Its significance is entirely derived from its role in identifying Johanan, whose actions carry profound theological weight. Johanan, son of Kareah, represents the human inclination to seek security in one's own wisdom and strength rather than in divine revelation.
Despite receiving explicit instruction from Yahweh through Jeremiah to remain in the land of Judah, Johanan and the other commanders, along with the people, chose to disobey and flee to Egypt (cf. [[Jeremiah 42:1-22]], [[Jeremiah 43:1-7]]). This act of defiance illustrates a critical theological theme: the consequences of rejecting God's clear word. Their decision, driven by fear and a lack of trust, led them away from God's promised protection and into further judgment.
The narrative involving Johanan, son of Kareah, thus serves as a stark reminder of the importance of absolute obedience to God, even when His commands seem counter-intuitive or demand great faith. It underscores the tragic outcomes of human arrogance and self-reliance when confronted with divine counsel, highlighting the enduring call for fidelity to Yahweh's covenant.
### Summary
H7143 (קָרֵחַ, Qârêach) is a Hebrew proper noun, meaning "bald" in its adjectival form but used exclusively in the Bible as the personal name Kareah. He is identified as the father of Johanan, a military commander prominent in the events following the destruction of Jerusalem. Although the name's etymology relates to baldness, this physical characteristic is not attributed to the individual Kareah in the text. The significance of H7143 lies entirely in its function as a patronymic, establishing the lineage of Johanan. Theologically, Kareah's importance is indirect, through the actions of his son Johanan. Johanan's leadership in defying Jeremiah's divinely inspired command to remain in Judah, choosing instead to lead the remnant to Egypt, stands as a poignant biblical example of disobedience to God's explicit word, underscoring the critical importance of trust and obedience to divine counsel, even in times of extreme duress.
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