a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them); cut out, rend, [idiom] surely, tear.
Transliteration:qâraʻ
Pronunciation:kaw-rah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H7167 (קָרַע, qâraʻ) is a primitive verb whose core meaning revolves around the action of "to rend" or "to tear." This fundamental sense extends across both literal and figurative applications within the biblical text. Literally, it describes the forceful separation or tearing apart of materials such as garments, flesh, or scrolls. Figuratively, its semantic range expands to encompass concepts like "to revile," suggesting the tearing apart of someone's reputation or character, and an idiomatic usage related to "painting the eyes," implying a forceful application that makes them appear enlarged or dramatically altered. The nuance of "cut out" further emphasizes a decisive act of separation, while "surely" suggests an emphatic or conclusive outcome, as if an action is so complete it "tears" away all doubt.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The most prevalent use of H7167 is in the context of garment rending, a powerful non-verbal expression of profound emotion. This act signifies:
* **Grief and Mourning:** Jacob tore his clothes upon seeing Joseph's blood-stained tunic, believing him dead ([[Genesis 37:34]]). David and his men similarly rent their garments upon hearing of Saul and Jonathan's deaths ([[2 Samuel 1:11]]). Job's response to devastating news also included tearing his robe ([[Job 1:20]]).
* **Despair and Horror:** Reuben tore his clothes upon discovering Joseph was no longer in the pit ([[Genesis 37:29]]). Joshua and Caleb rent their garments in despair and protest against the people's rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea ([[Numbers 14:6]]). King Hezekiah rent his clothes upon hearing Sennacherib's blasphemous message ([[2 Kings 19:1]]).
* **Outrage and Blasphemy:** The high priest Caiaphas tore his clothes, accusing Jesus of blasphemy ([[Matthew 26:65]] - though the Greek verb `{{G4977}}` is used, the cultural act is rooted in Hebrew tradition).
* **Repentance (or lack thereof):** The prophet Joel calls for a deeper, internal rending: "Rend your hearts and not your garments" ([[Joel 2:13]]), highlighting the insufficiency of mere external display without genuine inner transformation.
Beyond garments, H7167 describes:
* **Tearing of Flesh:** Lions tearing their prey ([[Judges 14:6]], [[1 Samuel 17:35]]) and wild beasts tearing apart victims ([[Genesis 37:33]]).
* **Tearing of Scrolls/Documents:** King Jehoiakim's defiant act of tearing and burning Jeremiah's prophetic scroll ([[Jeremiah 36:23]]) illustrates a rejection of divine revelation.
* **Figurative/Idiomatic Use:** The unique phrase in [[Jeremiah 4:30]], "though you rend your eyes with paint," uses H7167 to describe the application of eye-paint in such a way as to dramatically enlarge or highlight the eyes, perhaps suggesting a forceful or striking effect. The "revile" and "surely" definitions in the base entry point to broader metaphorical or idiomatic extensions of the root's core meaning, often implying a decisive or destructive impact.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "tearing" often intersects with other Hebrew verbs denoting destruction, breaking, or separation:
* `{{H5363}}` (nāthaṣ): "to pull down," "to break down," often applied to structures like walls or altars. While qâraʻ implies tearing a fabric or surface, nāthaṣ suggests demolishing a more substantial construction.
* `{{H6536}}` (pāraṣ): "to break forth," "to break through," often implying a forceful breach or eruption.
* `{{H7665}}` (shābar): "to break," "to shatter," used for breaking objects like vessels or bones, or even breaking strength.
* The act of garment rending is intrinsically linked to concepts of **grief** (`{{H56}}` ābal), **affliction** (`{{H6031}}` ānâ), and **mourning rites**.
* The prophetic call for a "rent heart" in Joel connects qâraʻ to the broader theme of **repentance** (`{{H7725}}` shûḇ), emphasizing internal contrition over mere external show.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H7167 is profound, particularly in its most common usage:
* **Authenticity of Response:** The act of rending garments served as a visceral, public declaration of deep emotion. However, prophets like Joel critique the superficiality of this external act if it is not accompanied by genuine internal transformation. God desires a "rent heart" ([[Joel 2:13]]), signifying a spirit broken by sin and contrite before Him, which is far more valuable than outward displays of sorrow or piety. This highlights the biblical emphasis on sincerity and inner truth over ritualistic performance.
* **Human Vulnerability and Despair:** The tearing of garments often accompanies news of overwhelming disaster, divine judgment, or profound loss. It is a raw, unmediated expression of human helplessness and despair in the face of forces beyond one's control, whether natural calamity, enemy invasion, or personal tragedy.
* **Desecration and Rejection of Truth:** The tearing of sacred texts, as by Jehoiakim, represents a deliberate act of contempt and rejection of God's word. Similarly, the high priest's rending of his clothes in response to Jesus' claim to divinity underscored a perceived desecration of God's name, highlighting the clash between human understanding and divine revelation.
* **Divine Access and Reconciliation:** While not explicitly using H7167, the tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion ([[Matthew 27:51]], using `{{G4977}}` σχίζω) carries immense theological weight. This act, conceptually similar to qâraʻ, symbolizes the tearing down of the barrier between God and humanity, granting direct access to the Holy of Holies through Christ's sacrifice. This ultimate "tearing" contrasts with human acts of despair, offering a path to reconciliation and intimacy with God.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H7167 (קָרַע, qâraʻ) primarily denotes "to rend" or "to tear," encompassing both literal and figurative applications. Its most significant biblical usage is the tearing of garments, a powerful, public expression of intense emotion such as grief, despair, horror, or outrage. While an outward sign, prophets like Joel emphasize the necessity of a corresponding inward "rending of the heart" for true repentance and sincerity before God. Beyond garments, qâraʻ describes the tearing of flesh by animals and the destruction of documents, symbolizing violence, destruction, and rejection of truth. Theologically, qâraʻ underscores the authenticity of human response to divine revelation and circumstances, the depth of human vulnerability, and implicitly points to the profound theological concept of barriers being torn down for divine access and reconciliation.
TRV