Original Word: קָרָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: qarah
Pronunciation: kah-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-raw')
KJV: appoint, lay (make) beams, befall, bring, come (to pass unto), floor, (hap) was, happen (unto), meet, send good speed
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to light upon (chiefly by accident)
2. causatively, to bring about
3. specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)

appoint, lay make beams, befall, bring, come to pass unto, floor, hap was, happen unto,

A primitive root; to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor) -- appoint, lay (make) beams, befall, bring, come (to pass unto), floor, (hap) was, happen (unto), meet, send good speed.

[קָרָה] verb encounter, meet, befall ("") II קָרָא Late Hebrew קָרָה meet (rare), קְרִי misfortune specifically (nocturnal) pollution, and so Aramaic קִרְיוּתָא ; Arabic () is go seek earnestly , receive hospitably as guest; Ethiopic II. 3, present, offer as sacrifice); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular suffix קָֽרְךָ Deuteronomy 25:18, (ו)קָרָהוּ Genesis 44:29 +; Imperfect, 3 masculine singular יִקְרֶה Ecclesiastes 9:11 + Daniel 10:14 Kt (Qr יִקְרָא), וָיִ֫קֶר Ruth 2:3, suffix יִקְרְךָ Numbers 11:23, יִקְּרֵךְ 1 Samuel 28:10 (dagesh forte dirimens); Participle feminine plural קֹרֹת Genesis 42:29; —

1 encounter, meet, accusative of person Deuteronomy 25:18, compare (accusative of thing) ׳וַיִ֫קֶר מִקְרֶהָ חֶלְקַת וגו Ruth 2:3 her chance lighted upon field, etc.

2 befall, accusative of person, subject evil Genesis 44:29 (J), 1 Samuel 28:10, ׳יs word Numbers 11:23 (JE), indefinite Genesis 42:29 (J) Isaiah 41:22 (absolute) Esther 4:7; Esther 6:13; Daniel 10:14 (ל person); ׳עֵת וָפֶגַע יִק אֶתכֻּֿלָּם Ecclesiastes 9:11; subject מִקְרֶה Ecclesiastes 2:14; compare Ecclesiastes 2:15.

Niph`al Perfect3masculine singular נִקְרָה Exodus 3:18; 1singular נִקְרֵיתִי 2 Samuel 1:6; Imperfect3masculine singular יִקָּרֶה Numbers 23:3, וַיִּקָּר Numbers 23:4,16; 1singular אִקָּרֶה Numbers 23:15; —

1 encounter, meet without pre-arrangement, usually of ׳י (God): with עַל person Exodus 3:18 (J), אֶל Pers. Numbers 23:4,16 לִקְרָתִי ׳י ׳יִקּ v3 (all J E); object ׳י (om) v15.

2 chance to be present, ב location, 2 Samuel 1:6 (+Infinitiveabs נִקְרֹא).

Hiph`il 1. of ׳י cause ( the right thing good fortune) to occur, with לִפְנֵי Perfect3masculine singularהִקְרָה Genesis 27:20 Imperative masculine singular הַקְרֵה Genesis 24:12 (both J).

2 of Isrel, Perfect2masculine plural cones וְהִקְרִיתֶם לָכָם עָרִים Numbers 35:11 ye shall (caus cities to occur rightly for yourselves, i.e.) select cities as suitable.

[קָרָה] verb denominative Pi`el lay the beams of, furnish with beams; — with accusative of the building: Perfect3plural suffix קֵרוּהוּ Nehemiah 3:3,6; Infinitive construct לְקָרוֺת Nehemiah 2:8; 2Chronicles 34:11; Participle הַמְּקָרֶה Psalm 104:3 (figurative).

קָרָה (qārâ): Happen, Meet, Befall

Semantic Focus

קָרָה marks an event or encounter that seems sudden or accidental to human eyes. Scripture, however, consistently presents such “chance” moments as operating under the deliberate providence of God, whether for blessing (Genesis 24:12) or calamity (Deuteronomy 31:17).

Distribution and Major Settings

• Patriarchal narratives: Genesis 24; 42; 44
• National formation: Exodus 1; 5; 21
• Covenant consolidation: Joshua 23; Deuteronomy 31
• Monarchy and early prophets: 1 Samuel 4; 6; 10; 13; 16
• Exilic-era literature: Esther 4; 9
• Wisdom and prophetic reflection: Ecclesiastes 2; 6; 8; Isaiah 51

Approximately twenty-seven appearances span law, narrative, wisdom, and prophecy, underscoring theological unity across genres.

Torah Foundations

1. Genesis 24 sets the tone: Abraham’s servant prays, “O LORD… please grant me success today” (Genesis 24:12). The narrative immediately records God’s answer, framing the meeting with Rebekah as foreordained.
2. Exodus 1:10 shows Pharaoh fearing what might “happen” should Israel align with Egypt’s enemies. Even pagan anxiety acknowledges unseen governance.
3. Exodus 21:13 legislates asylum for one who kills “if… God caused it to happen,” blending accidental death with divine sovereignty.

Historical Narratives

Saul’s confirmation (1 Samuel 10:2-6) hinges on three predicted encounters. Each fulfills Samuel’s prophecy, demonstrating that royal elevation rests on God-orchestrated meetings. The Philistines likewise test the ark’s return, concluding that only divine power, not random “chance,” accounts for their plague (1 Samuel 6:9).

Wisdom & Prophetic Use

Ecclesiastes wrestles with apparent randomness: “the same event happens to all” (Ecclesiastes 2:14). Isaiah laments, “These two things have befallen you” (Isaiah 51:19), yet drives the afflicted back to covenant hope.

Book of Esther

Though God’s name is absent, קָרָה saturates the plot. Haman reports “all that had happened” (Esther 4:7); later, “the reverse occurred” (Esther 9:1). The verb becomes a literary signal of unseen providence overturning evil.

Theological Themes

Divine Sovereignty over Contingency

Even events labelled “accident” (1 Samuel 6:9) are shown to be under God’s hand. The verb therefore shapes a biblical worldview in which nothing escapes divine rule.

Covenant Sanctions

Blessing and curse both “come upon” Israel (Joshua 23:15; Deuteronomy 31:17). קָרָה reinforces covenant accountability, linking obedience with favor and disobedience with judgment.

Mission and Guidance

Abraham’s servant models prayerful dependence: requesting that God “cause to happen” the right meeting. This anticipates New Testament guidance by the Spirit in arranging gospel encounters (Acts 8:26-40).

Ministry Significance

1. Assurance in Unforeseen Circumstances

Believers facing trials echo Joseph’s brothers’ fear that “harm may befall” (Genesis 42:4) yet rest in the truth that God orchestrates every outcome (Romans 8:28).

2. Prayer for Providential Appointments

Like Eliezer, Christians ask God to order their steps, expecting Him to arrange divine appointments in evangelism and discipleship.

3. Interpreting History through Providence

Esther teaches congregations to interpret cultural events not as random but as arenas for God’s redemptive action.

Select Passages

• Genesis 24:12 – petition for God-given encounter
• Exodus 21:13 – accidental death within divine allowance
• Joshua 23:15 – covenant blessings and curses “come upon”
• 1 Samuel 6:9 – testing “chance” versus divine judgment
• Esther 9:1 – providential reversal

Summary

קָרָה dismantles the notion of blind chance. Whether meeting a spouse at a well, fleeing to a city of refuge, or facing national peril, every “happening” in Scripture reveals the Lord’s meticulous governance. For the church, the term invites confident mission, humble submission, and worship of the God who rules both the expected and the unforeseen.

אִקָּ֥רֶה אקרה הֲיִקְרְךָ֥ הִקְרָ֛ה הַ֥מְקָרֶֽה הַקְרֵה־ הַקֹּרֹ֥ת היקרך המקרה הקרה הקרה־ הקרת וְהִקְרִיתֶ֤ם וְקָרָ֣הוּ וַיִּ֣קֶר וַיִּקָּ֤ר וַיִּקָּ֥ר וּלְקָרוֹת֙ והקריתם ויקר ולקרות וקרהו יִקְּרֵ֥ךְ יִקְרֵ֔נִי יִקְרֶ֥ה יִקְרָ֥ה יִקָּרֵ֤ה יקרה יקרך יקרני לְ֠קָרוֹת לקרות נִקְרֵ֙יתִי֙ נִקְרָ֣ה נקרה נקריתי קֵר֔וּהוּ קָֽרְךָ֜ קָרָ֑הוּ קרהו קרוהו קרך תִּקְרֶ֑ינָה תקרינה ’iq·qā·reh ’iqqāreh hă·yiq·rə·ḵā hakkoRot hakreh ham·qā·reh Hamkareh hamqāreh haq·qō·rōṯ haq·rêh- haqqōrōṯ haqrêh- hayikreCha hăyiqrəḵā hikRah hiq·rāh hiqrāh ikKareh kaRahu kareCha keRuhu lə·qā·rō·wṯ Lekarot ləqārōwṯ nikRah nikReiti niq·rāh niq·rê·ṯî niqrāh niqrêṯî qā·rā·hū qā·rə·ḵā qārāhū qārəḵā qê·rū·hū qêrūhū tikReinah tiq·re·nāh tiqrenāh ū·lə·qā·rō·wṯ ulekarOt ūləqārōwṯ vaiYiker vaiyikKar vehikriTem vekaRahu way·yi·qer way·yiq·qār wayyiqer wayyiqqār wə·hiq·rî·ṯem wə·qā·rā·hū wəhiqrîṯem wəqārāhū yikkaReh yikkeRech yikRah yikReh yikReni yiq·qā·rêh yiq·qə·rêḵ yiq·rāh yiq·rê·nî yiq·reh yiqqārêh yiqqərêḵ yiqrāh yiqreh yiqrênîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts