Lexical Summary qerab: war Original Word: קְרָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance war (Aramaic) corresponding to qrab -- war. see HEBREW qrab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to qerab Definition war NASB Translation war (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְרָב (K§ 57 a)) noun [masculine] war (ᵑ7 Syriac, Late Hebrew id.; Biblical Hebrew as Aramaism); — absolute Daniel 7:21. Topical Lexicon Term Overviewקְרָב (qĕrab) denotes open conflict, battle, or war. Its single biblical appearance occurs in Daniel’s Aramaic vision, yet the context grants it wide canonical influence. Biblical Context Daniel 7:21 records, “As I watched, this horn was waging war with the saints and prevailing against them” (Daniel 7:21). The noun highlights sustained aggression against God’s people until divine judgment turns the tide (Daniel 7:22). Historical Background Exiles in Babylon and later generations under Persian and Hellenistic rule heard qĕrab as the embodiment of imperial hostility—from Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem to Antiochus IV’s brutal decrees. The word therefore functions as a symbol for every attempt to extinguish covenant faithfulness. Theological Significance 1. Sovereignty of God: Despite temporary defeat, “the Most High” ultimately grants dominion to His saints (Daniel 7:27). Intertextual Connections • Exodus 17:9-15—First post-exodus battle; the Lord fights for His people. Eschatological Implications The lone use of qĕrab in Daniel magnifies the final clash between evil and holiness. The temporary “prevailing” of the horn reassures believers that apparent defeats are limited, for judgment and kingdom inheritance are certain (Daniel 7:27). Practical Ministry Application • Perseverance: Congregations facing hostility draw courage from the saints who endured qĕrab. Summary Though occurring only once, קְרָב stands at the crossroads of Israel’s past struggles and the climactic war that ushers in the everlasting kingdom. It affirms that every confrontation with evil is bounded by God’s sovereignty and culminates in the triumph of the Son of Man and the vindication of His saints. Forms and Transliterations קְרָ֖ב קרב keRav qə·rāḇ qərāḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 7:21 HEB: דִכֵּ֔ן עָבְדָ֥ה קְרָ֖ב עִם־ קַדִּישִׁ֑ין NAS: was waging war with the saints KJV: horn made war with the saints, INT: and the same was waging war with the saints |
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