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H7162

קֶרֶן

qeren /keh'-ren/ Ask about this word
(Aramaic) corresponding to קֶרֶן
a horn (literally or for sound)
horn, cornet.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of qeren — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word qeren, represented by H7162, is defined as a horn, either literally or as a musical instrument like a cornet. It appears 14 times across 10 unique verses, exclusively within the book of Daniel. Its usage is split between depicting a musical instrument used for royal command and a symbolic representation of kings and kingdoms.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7162 is used in two distinct contexts. Firstly, it appears as a cornet, one of the instruments in King Nebuchadnezzar's orchestra. The sound of the cornet and other instruments was the signal for all people to fall down and worship the golden image he had set up Daniel 3:5. Secondly, it is used symbolically as a horn representing power and authority in Daniel's prophetic visions. A dreadful and terrible beast is seen with ten horns Daniel 7:7, and a notable "little horn" arises among them, speaking great things Daniel 7:8. These horns are later interpreted as kings who will arise Daniel 7:24.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words clarify the meaning and context of H7162:

  • H7032 qâl (a voice or sound): The purpose of the cornet was to be part of the sound that triggered the command to worship Daniel 3:7.
  • H5457 çᵉgid (to prostrate oneself (in homage)): The required response to hearing the cornet was to worship the image Daniel 3:10.
  • H4430 melek (a king): In the prophetic context, the horns are explicitly identified with earthly power, stating that the ten horns are ten kings that shall arise Daniel 7:24.
  • H7129 qᵉrâb (hostile encounter): The symbolic horn is shown to be an antagonistic power that made war with the saints Daniel 7:21.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7162 is significant within the book of Daniel, highlighting themes of earthly power versus divine authority.

  • Instrument of Imperial Command: As a cornet, the word signifies the power of a human king to compel idolatry. The musical sound becomes a test of allegiance, forcing a choice between the king's decree and faithfulness to God Daniel 3:15.
  • Symbol of Gentile Power: As a horn, it symbolizes the authority and might of worldly kingdoms. The fourth beast, described as dreadful H1763 and terrible H574, possesses these horns which represent a succession of kings Daniel 7:7.
  • An Antagonistic Figure: The "little horn" represents a specific, arrogant power that actively opposes God and His people. It is characterized by having a mouth H6433 that speaks H4449 great things H7260 and making war H7129 against the saints H6922, prevailing over them Daniel 7:21.

Summary

In summary, H7162 functions as a multifaceted term in Daniel. Whether as a cornet demanding worship for an earthly king or as a symbolic horn representing the rise of worldly empires in opposition to God, it consistently points to themes of power and authority. The word is crucial for understanding the conflict between human decrees and divine sovereignty as portrayed in Daniel's prophecies.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 14 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • קַרְנָ
  • קַרְנַיָּ
  • קַרְנַיִן
  • קֶרֶן

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

10 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.