Lexical Summary Qareach: Bald, baldhead Original Word: קָרֵחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Careah, Kareah From qarach; bald; Kareach, an Israelite -- Careah, Kareah. see HEBREW qarach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qarach Definition "bald one," a man of Judah NASB Translation Kareah (14). Brown-Driver-Briggs קָרֵחַ14 proper name, masculine in Judah (bald one); — 2 Kings 25:23, Καρηθ, ᵐ5L Καρηε; Jeremiah 40:8 12t. Jeremiah, Καρηε. Topical Lexicon Identity and Meaning of the Nameקָרֵחַ (Qareach, “bald”) serves in Scripture not as a description of physical appearance but as the proper name of a Judahite whose sons—Johanan and Jonathan—became key military leaders in the traumatic days immediately following Babylon’s conquest of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. The name appears only in patronymic form (“son of Kareah”) and is confined to a tightly defined historical window recorded in 2 Kings and Jeremiah. Historical Setting: Aftermath of Jerusalem’s Fall Kareah’s family emerges during the power vacuum that followed Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem. The Babylonian king appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the remnant left in Judah (2 Kings 25:22). Various guerrilla leaders who had escaped capture gathered to Gedaliah at Mizpah; among them were “Johanan son of Kareah and Jonathan son of Kareah” (2 Kings 25:23). These men had commanded detachments in the field and now sought to negotiate their place under Babylonian oversight. Kareah’s Sons and Their Actions 1. Warning to Gedaliah Johanan son of Kareah uncovered a plot by Ishmael son of Nethaniah to assassinate Gedaliah. He privately warned the new governor, offering to eliminate Ishmael pre-emptively (Jeremiah 40:13–15). Gedaliah refused, judging the report slanderous, and was murdered shortly afterward (Jeremiah 41:1–3). 2. Pursuit and Rescue After the assassination, Ishmael abducted many survivors. “When Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders with him heard of all the evil that Ishmael… had done, they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael” (Jeremiah 41:11–12). Johanan’s forces intercepted Ishmael near the great pool at Gibeon, freed the captives, but Ishmael escaped to Ammon (Jeremiah 41:13–15). 3. Consultation with Jeremiah Recognizing the danger of Babylonian reprisal, the remnant under Johanan’s command appealed to the prophet: “Pray to the LORD your God on our behalf… show us the way we should walk and the thing we should do” (Jeremiah 42:2–3). Ten days later Jeremiah revealed the Lord’s directive to stay in the land under Babylonian authority, promising blessing for obedience and destruction for flight (Jeremiah 42:9–17). 4. Rejection of the Word and Flight to Egypt The response was tragic. “Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, ‘You are telling a lie!’” (Jeremiah 43:2–3). They led the remnant—including Jeremiah and Baruch—into Egypt, settling in Tahpanhes (Jeremiah 43:5-7). Their disobedience became the backdrop for Jeremiah’s later prophecies of judgment upon Egypt and the ultimate demise of that community (Jeremiah 44). Theological and Ministry Significance 1. The Weight of Spiritual Headship Although Kareah himself never speaks, his name is inseparably linked to the choices of his sons. Scripture repeatedly identifies them as “sons of Kareah,” a reminder that parental legacy, whether godly or not, is carried forward by descendants. The narrative invites reflection on how family heritage interacts with individual responsibility. 2. Hearing but Not Heeding God’s Word Kareah’s sons exemplify the peril of selective obedience. They earnestly sought divine guidance, yet when God’s answer conflicted with their instincts for security, they rejected it. Their account underscores the principle later echoed by James: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). 3. Trust in Divine Protection over Political Calculus Human calculations argued for refuge in Egypt; divine wisdom called for faith under Babylonian yoke. The remnant’s choice reveals how fear can masquerade as prudence and lead to disaster. Believers today are challenged to rest in God’s sovereignty rather than manipulate circumstances for self-preservation. 4. God’s Faithfulness amid Human Failure Even in Egypt the Lord continued to speak through Jeremiah, proving that rebellion cannot silence divine revelation. Kareah’s family narrative demonstrates that while human leaders falter, God remains steadfast, pursuing His people with unmistakable clarity. Occurrences at a Glance • 2 Kings 25:23 Every occurrence functions as a historical marker tying the unfolding events to the household of Kareah. Together they provide a tight, coherent snapshot of the critical months that shaped the destiny of the Judean remnant. Practical Lessons • Seek divine counsel with a heart ready to obey. Though Kareah himself remains silent in the text, his name frames a cautionary episode that urges every generation to embrace the Lord’s word in trust and obedience. Forms and Transliterations קָ֠רֵחַ קָרֵ֔חַ קָרֵ֙חַ֙ קָרֵ֜חַ קָרֵ֡חַ קָרֵֽחַ׃ קרח קרח׃ Kareach qā·rê·aḥ qārêaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 25:23 HEB: וְיוֹחָנָ֣ן בֶּן־ קָ֠רֵחַ וּשְׂרָיָ֨ה בֶן־ NAS: the son of Kareah, and Seraiah KJV: the son of Careah, and Seraiah INT: and Johanan the son of Kareah and Seraiah the son Jeremiah 40:8 Jeremiah 40:13 Jeremiah 40:15 Jeremiah 40:16 Jeremiah 41:11 Jeremiah 41:13 Jeremiah 41:14 Jeremiah 41:16 Jeremiah 42:1 Jeremiah 42:8 Jeremiah 43:2 Jeremiah 43:4 Jeremiah 43:5 14 Occurrences |
    |