or קׇרְחָא; (Ezekiel 27:31), from קָרַח; baldness; bald(-ness), [idiom] utterly.
Transliteration:qorchâh
Pronunciation:kor-khaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word qorchâh (`{{H7144}}`) derives from the root qārach (`{{H7139}}`), meaning "to be bald" or "to make bald." Its primary semantic range encompasses the literal state of "baldness" or a "bald head." However, its usage in the Hebrew Bible extends beyond mere physical description to profound symbolic meanings. It can refer to natural baldness (as in a physical condition) or, more frequently, to baldness induced by shaving or plucking of hair, often as a ritualistic act. This induced baldness is typically associated with intense grief, mourning, or a state of utter desolation. The nuance of "utterly" in its definition highlights its capacity to signify a complete or absolute state of barrenness or devastation, mirroring the visual completeness of a denuded head.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term qorchâh appears eleven times in the Old Testament, predominantly in prophetic literature and legal texts, consistently conveying strong emotional and theological weight.
* In legal contexts, qorchâh describes a physical condition, as seen in the regulations concerning leprosy (e.g., [[Leviticus 13:41-43]]), where it refers to a bald spot on the head. It is also mentioned in prohibitions against pagan mourning practices, where making qorchâh on the head for the dead is forbidden for Israelites (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 14:1]], [[Jeremiah 16:6]]). This highlights the distinction between permissible and forbidden expressions of grief within the covenant.
* More frequently, qorchâh serves as a powerful symbol of lamentation, sorrow, and judgment in prophetic books. It is a recurring motif in pronouncements of divine judgment and national calamity. For instance, in [[Isaiah 3:24]], qorchâh signifies the shame and desolation that will replace the beauty of the daughters of Zion. Similarly, the lamentations for Moab in [[Isaiah 15:2]] and [[Jeremiah 48:37]] depict "every head bald," symbolizing profound national grief and ruin.
* The prophets often call for qorchâh as a sign of deep repentance and mourning in the face of impending judgment (e.g., [[Isaiah 22:12]], [[Micah 1:16]]). In [[Ezekiel 7:18]], the prophecy foretells that "baldness" will be on every head, indicating widespread despair. The specific reference in the Strong's definition, [[Ezekiel 27:31]], describes the lamentation over Tyre's fall, where merchants "make themselves bald" in their utter despair. This consistent usage underscores qorchâh as a visible, visceral manifestation of extreme sorrow, humiliation, and the devastating impact of divine wrath.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for qorchâh is its verbal root, qārach (`{{H7139}}`), which means "to be bald" or "to shave." This root emphasizes the action or state that leads to baldness, whether natural or induced. Other related concepts include:
* **Mourning Rituals:** In the ancient Near East, shaving or plucking hair was a common, albeit often forbidden for Israelites, expression of intense grief or lamentation (cf. [[Job 1:20]]). While qorchâh specifically refers to baldness, it is intrinsically linked to these broader mourning practices.
* **Shame and Humiliation:** Baldness, especially when inflicted or resulting from judgment, was a sign of disgrace in ancient cultures (e.g., the humiliation of David's messengers in [[2 Samuel 10:4-5]] by having half their beards shaved). Thus, qorchâh often carries connotations of public shame and the stripping away of dignity.
* **Desolation and Barrenness:** Beyond personal grief, qorchâh can metaphorically represent the barrenness and desolation of a land or people under judgment, signifying a complete loss of vitality and prosperity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of qorchâh is multifaceted:
* **Symbol of Profound Grief and Lamentation:** Most prominently, qorchâh serves as a stark symbol of deep sorrow, often in response to national calamity, personal loss, or divine judgment. It signifies a stripping away of comfort and normalcy, mirroring the internal desolation of the mourner.
* **Mark of Divine Judgment and Humiliation:** In prophetic contexts, qorchâh is a potent indicator of God's righteous wrath. It represents the utter ruin, shame, and barrenness that befall those who defy Him. The idiom "utterly" in its definition encapsulates this sense of complete devastation and the humbling of the proud.
* **Contrast to Holiness and Purity:** For the Levitical priesthood, specific instructions prohibited them from making themselves bald (e.g., [[Leviticus 21:5]]), distinguishing their consecrated state from the pagan mourning practices that involved such disfigurement. Thus, qorchâh can also subtly highlight a state contrary to covenantal holiness when performed ritualistically outside of God's prescribed ways.
* **Human Vulnerability:** Whether through disease, natural aging, or the extreme stress of grief, baldness underscores the fragility of human existence and the transient nature of physical appearance and earthly security.
### Summary
The Hebrew word qorchâh (`{{H7144}}`) primarily denotes "baldness," derived from the root qārach (`{{H7139}}`). While literally referring to a lack of hair, its biblical usage extends significantly into symbolic representation. qorchâh is a powerful and consistent motif for profound grief, lamentation, and mourning, often associated with ritualistic shaving of the head. Crucially, it functions as a vivid sign of divine judgment, desolation, and utter ruin, signifying a complete stripping away of beauty, strength, or prosperity. Its appearance in both legal prohibitions and prophetic pronouncements underscores its cultural significance as an extreme expression of sorrow and humiliation. Theologically, qorchâh vividly portrays human vulnerability, the devastating consequences of sin, and the comprehensive nature of God's righteous judgment upon pride and unfaithfulness.
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