Original Word: קוּר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: quwr
Pronunciation: koor
Phonetic Spelling: (koor)
KJV: break down, cast out, destroy, dig
NASB: dug
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to trench
2. (by implication) to throw forth
3. (also, denominative from H7023) to wall up
4. (hence, literal) to build a wall
5. (hence, figurative) to impede

break down, cast out, destroy, dig

A primitive root; to trench; by implication, to throw forth; also (denominative from qiyr) to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop) -- break down, cast out, destroy, dig.

see HEBREW qiyr

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to bore, dig
NASB Translation
dug (2).

קַוְקָו (or קַוְקַו, קָוְקָו)

noun [masculine] might (?); — so read (according to most) for קַוקָֿו in phrase ׳גּוֺי ק Isaiah 18:2,7 i.e. a mighty nation (compare Arabic strength; see (on reduplication) Ges^{§ 123e}); > RV 'meting out conquered lands, literally 'of line, line' (11. קַו).

I. [קוּר] verb bore, dig (Arabic () cut a round hole in, scoop out); —

Qal Perfect1singular קַרְתִּי 2 Kings 19:24 I have dug (that is, a well)= Isaiah 37:25 (Meinh conjectures כָּרִתִי). —

Hiph`il, Pilpel, see I, II. קרר.

I. [קָרַר] verb be cold (Arabic be cold, so Ethiopic Syriac ; ᵑ7 Ithpa`al 1 singular cool onself (rare); Levy compare also Late Hebrew Nithp. רִתְקָרֵר grow calm [i.e. cool]); —

Hiph`il make or keep cool: Perfect3feminine singular הֵקֵ֫רָה, figurative, Jeremiah 6:7b Jerusalem keepeth her wickedness cool, fresh; Infinitive construct metaplastic הָקִיר (Ges^{§ 67v}) Jeremiah 6:7a, of בּוֺר keeping water cool (simile).

II. [קָרַר] verb Pilpel tear down (?) (Late Hebrew קִרְקֵר tear down wall); — only Participle מְקַרְקַר קִר Isaiah 22:5 usually (men are) tearing down wall (s), but see I. קִיר

3 near the end.

קרשׁ (√ of following; compare Late Hebrew רַשׁ be (come) firm, solid, קֶרֶשׁ board (rare)).

Conceptual Overview

קוׄר (quwr) conveys the action of cutting through, boring, or digging. In Scripture it becomes an image for forceful penetration—whether the literal excavation of wells, the breaching of fortifications, or the figurative rending that accompanies judgment. Because the verb depicts aggressive intrusion, its appearances often underscore human presumption confronted by divine sovereignty.

Distribution in the Old Testament

Numbers 24: 17

2 Kings 19: 24

Isaiah 22: 5

Isaiah 37: 25

Jeremiah 6: 7 (twice in the verse)

Literary Settings and Themes

1. Digging Wells in Boastful Conquest (2 Kings 19: 24; Isaiah 37: 25)

Assyria’s king vaunts, “I have dug wells and drunk foreign waters…”. The verb captures arrogant self-reliance—claiming mastery even over the life-giving resource of water. The Lord’s answer, recorded later in both narratives, exposes how every human achievement is circumscribed by His decree (cf. 2 Kings 19: 25–28).

2. Messianic Triumph over Opposition (Numbers 24: 17)

Balaam’s oracle foretells a “Star… from Jacob” who will “crush the skulls of Moab and destroy all the sons of Sheth”. The word translated “destroy” is קוׄר, picturing the Messiah digging through and demolishing entrenched resistance. The imagery anticipates the complete overthrow of hostile powers (cf. Psalm 2: 9; Revelation 19: 15).

3. Judgment upon Jerusalem (Isaiah 22: 5)

In the Valley of Vision the Lord ordains “a day of panic, trampling, and confusion, a day of tearing down walls”. קוׄר stresses the breaching of defenses: what sin fortified is now excavated by divine judgment. The verse foreshadows Babylon’s siege while also warning every generation that defenses built apart from faith will collapse.

4. Social Violence Uncovered (Jeremiah 6: 7)

“As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her evil. Violence and destruction resound in her”. קוׄר appears twice, translated “destruction,” likening Judah’s wickedness to water relentlessly surging from an artesian spring. Sin erupting from within is as unstoppable as water once the ground is pierced—an indictment that prepares the reader for the exile narratives.

Historical Background

• Ancient Near-Eastern kings commonly boasted of engineering feats—cutting canals or wells to prove dominion over foreign lands. Sennacherib’s claim fits this trope, yet Scripture subverts it by attributing real control to the Lord.
• Breaching city walls by tunneling or undermining was a standard siege tactic. Isaiah 22: 5 reflects this practice, transforming military engineering into prophetic symbolism.
• Wells signified survival in arid regions; to “dig” another nation’s water sources implied conquest of both land and people.

Theological Significance

1. Sovereignty versus Self-Exaltation: Every instance of קוׄר that highlights human prowess is met with God’s verdict, teaching that even when people “dig” deeply, they remain within boundaries He sets (Job 28: 9–11).
2. Judgment that Reaches the Depths: The verb reassures the faithful that no sin is so entrenched it cannot be exposed and judged (Jeremiah 17: 1–3).
3. Messianic Authority: Balaam’s prophecy links קוׄר with the promised King whose rule will penetrate and overthrow all opposition, laying groundwork for New Testament declarations that Christ was manifested “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3: 8).

Ministry Applications

• Confront Pride: Leaders tempted to boast in strategic successes should recall Sennacherib’s fate and submit plans to the Lord (James 4: 13–16).
• Expose Hidden Sin: Jeremiah’s imagery encourages pastors and counselors to address moral decay at its source rather than merely surface symptoms.
• Proclaim Total Victory in Christ: The Messiah who “digs through” entrenched enemies assures believers that no stronghold—physical or spiritual—can withstand His advance (2 Corinthians 10: 4).

Related Hebrew Ideas

קׇרָה (qarah, Strong’s 7136) “to encounter” and חָפַר (chaphar, Strong’s 2658) “to dig” overlap conceptually but lack the aggressive, invasive nuance of קוׄר. Together they form a semantic field portraying both constructive and destructive excavation—each employed by God to reveal hearts and accomplish His purposes.

הֵקֵ֣רָה הקרה וְקַרְקַ֖ר וקרקר כְּהָקִ֥יר כהקיר מְקַרְקַ֥ר מקרקר קַ֔רְתִּי קַ֖רְתִּי קרתי hê·qê·rāh heKerah hêqêrāh Karti kə·hā·qîr kehaKir kəhāqîr mə·qar·qar mekarKar məqarqar qar·tî qartî vekarKar wə·qar·qar wəqarqarInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts