Lexical Summary qerach: Ice, frost Original Word: קֶרַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance crystal, frost, ice Or qorach {ko'-rakh}; from qarach; ice (as if bald, i.e. Smooth); hence, hail; by resemblance, rock crystal -- crystal, frost, ice. see HEBREW qarach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition frost, ice NASB Translation crystal (1), frost (2), ice (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs קֶ֫רַח noun masculineJob 38:29 frost, ice; — absolute ׳ק Genesis 31:40 +, קָ֑רַח Job 6:16 +; suffix קַרְחוֺ Psalm 147:17; — 1 frost of night (opposed to חֹרֶב of day), Genesis 31:40 (E), Jeremiah 36:30. 2 ice, Job 6:16; Job 37:10; Job 38:29 ("" כְפֹר hoarfrost), כְפִתִּים ׳מַשְׁלִיח ק Psalm 147:17 (Hup and others think of hail, but see Bae; "" קָרָה cold, שֶׁלֶג, כְּפוֺר Psalm 147:16); probably also ׳כְּעֵין ק Ezekiel 1:22 (so Krae; most crystal, after ᵐ5). קְרִי, קִרְיָה, קִרְיַת, קרִיּוֺת, etc., see קרה. Topical Lexicon Definition and Semantic Range קֶרַח (kerach) denotes congealed water—ice, frost, or crystal-like formations. The term can describe literal atmospheric ice, ground frost, or any translucent, frozen surface that resembles crystal. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Genesis 31:40 – Jacob recalls “the frost by night,” testifying to harsh pastoral conditions in the hill country of Gilead. Ice and Frost in the Ancient Near East Although the Levant enjoys a Mediterranean climate, high elevations (Hermon, Gilead, Judaean hills) experience winter frost. Sudden cold snaps could damage crops, imperil shepherds, and chill stone dwellings. The biblical writers therefore treat ice as both rare and formidable—an agent that commands respect and signals God’s power. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Creation 2. Judgement and Retribution 3. Human Frailty and Dependence 4. Revelation and Glory Symbolic Nuances • Hardness and Transience: Ice is simultaneously solid and temporary. Prophets employ it to show that what seems firm can melt under divine decree, reminding Israel of the futility of trusting in fleeting powers. Pastoral and Devotional Applications • Worship: Passages on kerach invite believers to marvel at ordinary phenomena as works of God’s hand, cultivating gratitude for both summer warmth and winter chill. Historical and Cultural Notes • Ancient travelers timed journeys to avoid nighttime frost, and farmers understood that a sudden cold spell might require emergency measures such as smudge fires. Christological Whisper Kerach’s brilliance in Ezekiel anticipates the unveiled glory of the Son, “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). Ice that both conceals and reveals points to the incarnation—divinity clothed in flesh yet shining through with crystal clarity. Summary Across seven strategic texts, קֶרַח depicts literal ice and frost while unfolding themes of divine authority, judgment, revelation, and human vulnerability. Whether freezing wadis, guarding God’s throne, or chilling a faithless king, kerach serves Scripture’s purpose of showcasing the LORD who commands creation, disciplines nations, and reveals His glory. Forms and Transliterations הַקֶּ֣רַח הַקָּ֑רַח הקרח וְלַקֶּ֥רַח וְקֶ֣רַח ולקרח וקרח קַֽרְח֣וֹ קָ֑רַח קרח קרחו hakKarach hakKerach haq·qā·raḥ haq·qe·raḥ haqqāraḥ haqqeraḥ Karach karCho qā·raḥ qar·ḥōw qāraḥ qarḥōw veKerach velakKerach wə·laq·qe·raḥ wə·qe·raḥ wəlaqqeraḥ wəqeraḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 31:40 HEB: אֲכָלַ֥נִי חֹ֖רֶב וְקֶ֣רַח בַּלָּ֑יְלָה וַתִּדַּ֥ד NAS: consumed me and the frost by night, KJV: consumed me, and the frost by night; INT: consumed the heat and the frost night fled Job 6:16 Job 37:10 Job 38:29 Psalm 147:17 Jeremiah 36:30 Ezekiel 1:22 7 Occurrences |
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