Original Word: קֶרַע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: qera`
Pronunciation: keh-rah'
Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-rah)
KJV: piece, rag
NASB: pieces, rags
Word Origin: [from H7167 (קָרַע - tore)]

1. a rag

piece, rag

From qara'; a rag -- piece, rag.

see HEBREW qara'

Word Origin
from qara
Definition
torn piece (of garment), a rag
NASB Translation
pieces (3), rags (1).

[קֶ֫רַע] noun masculine^{1Kings 11:30} torn piece of garment, rag; — plural קְרָעִים 1 Kings 11:30 he tore it into twelve pieces, 1 Kings 11:31; 2 Kings 2:12; rags Proverbs 23:31 (sign of poverty).

Strong’s Hebrew 7168 קֶרַע (qeraʿ)

Range of Meaning in Scripture

The noun denotes a torn fragment, a piece separated from a larger whole, or the shabby rags that result from wear and tear. Its four canonical appearances trace a consistent thread: what was once intact has been rent, whether a garment, a kingdom, or a life squandered.

Instrument of Prophetic Revelation (1 Kings 11:30–31)

In the hands of Ahijah the Shilonite, the torn cloak becomes a living oracle. “Ahijah took hold of the new cloak around him, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam, ‘Take ten pieces…’” (1 Kings 11:30–31). Each קֶרַע embodies a tribe, and the visual fracture mirrors the impending division of Solomon’s realm. The tangible fragments certify the certainty of the prophetic word: the LORD will sunder the kingdom as effortlessly as cloth is pulled apart. The episode underscores divine sovereignty over national affairs and warns against covenant infidelity.

Token of Personal Grief and Transition (2 Kings 2:12)

Witnessing Elijah’s departure, Elisha “took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces” (2 Kings 2:12). Here the ripped fabric signals profound mourning but also marks the end of one ministry and the beginning of another. The disjunction of the garment parallels the severing of earthly fellowship, while the fallen mantle moments later affirms continuity of prophetic power. The verse teaches that godly sorrow and God-given calling often converge in life-altering moments.

Portrait of Poverty and Dissipation (Proverbs 23:21)

The sage warns that intemperance leads to literal and figurative rags: “the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with rags” (Proverbs 23:21). קֶרַע pictures the tattered garments of a life depleted by self-indulgence. The image exhorts self-control and stewardship, illustrating how personal choices can shred prosperity and dignity alike.

Theological Reflections

1. Divine Judgment and Mercy: When God tears, He also retains the prerogative to mend. Though Israel was divided, covenant promises moved inexorably toward the restoration fulfilled in the Messiah.
2. Mourning and Renewal: Grief expressed through rending may usher believers into deeper dependence on the LORD, as with Elisha receiving a double portion.
3. Moral Consequences: The “rags” motif in Proverbs testifies that sin’s wages are both spiritual and material, validating the link between righteousness and flourishing.

Ministry Applications

• Visual Aids in Teaching: Object lessons—such as tearing cloth—can vividly impress scriptural truths about sin, judgment, and restoration.
• Counseling the Grieving: Elisha’s act legitimizes visible expressions of sorrow while keeping hope in view; it models compassionate pastoral care.
• Discipleship and Stewardship: Proverbs 23:21 calls congregations to address addictive behaviors not merely medically but spiritually, emphasizing repentance and disciplined living.

Foreshadowings in Redemption History

The torn pieces that divided Israel anticipate a greater tearing: the veil of the temple rent at Christ’s crucifixion (Matthew 27:51). In that climactic act, separation gives way to access, and what was shattered by sin begins to be made whole in the new covenant.

Summary

קֶרַע serves as a compact yet potent symbol throughout Scripture. Whether depicting national schism, personal grief, or moral decay, each occurrence highlights God’s righteous governance and the human need for fidelity, repentance, and hope in His redemptive plan.

וּ֝קְרָעִ֗ים וקרעים קְרָעִ֑ים קְרָעִֽים׃ קרעים קרעים׃ keraIm qə·rā·‘îm qərā‘îm ū·qə·rā·‘îm ukeraIm ūqərā‘îmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts