Original Word: קֶרַע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: qera`
Pronunciation: keh-rah'
Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-rah)
Definition: Tearing, rent, piece
Meaning: 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).

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb קָרַע (qara‘), meaning "to tear" or "to rend."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek entry in Strong's Concordance is G4485 (ῥάκος • rhakos), which also refers to a piece of cloth or a rag. This Greek term is used in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 9:16, where Jesus speaks of not putting a new piece of cloth (ῥάκος) on an old garment, illustrating the incompatibility of old and new covenants. The parallel between the Hebrew קֶרַע and the Greek ῥάκος highlights the continuity of the metaphor of torn garments across both Testaments, emphasizing themes of renewal and transformation.

Usage: The term קֶרַע is used in the context of a torn piece of fabric, often implying a fragment or remnant of a larger garment. It is typically associated with the act of tearing, which can symbolize mourning, distress, or division.

Context: The Hebrew word קֶרַע (qera‘) appears in the Old Testament to describe a piece of cloth that has been torn. This term is often used in narratives where garments are rent as a sign of grief or calamity. The act of tearing one's clothes was a common cultural expression of sorrow or repentance in ancient Israel. For example, in 1 Kings 11:30, the prophet Ahijah takes hold of a new cloak and tears it into twelve pieces, symbolizing the division of the kingdom of Israel. The use of קֶרַע in this context underscores the prophetic message of division and the tangible representation of a fractured nation. The imagery of a torn garment serves as a powerful metaphor for brokenness and separation, both physically and spiritually.

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