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כָּרֻתָה (ka.ru.tah)

ka.ru.tah

beam

H3773 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
3 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Word Overview

The noun kārûṯâ refers specifically to hewn beams or timber prepared for construction. Occurring only three times in the Hebrew Bible, with two instances in 1 Kings, it describes the processed wood used in building projects rather than standing trees. The term highlights the work of cutting and shaping timber into structural elements.

Its meaning is tightly linked to the verb kārath, which carries a wide range of senses including "to cut off," "to cut down," or "to make a covenant." In this architectural context, the connection to "cutting" is literal: the wood has been severed from the forest and shaped. This usage grounds the abstract concept of covenant-making in the physical reality of hewing timber, a common metaphor for establishing binding agreements.

Translators typically render kārûṯâ as "beams" or "hewn beams," emphasizing that the wood is ready for use. The word’s rarity underscores its specific function in describing the materials of Solomon’s temple and other royal buildings, where precision and preparation were essential. It serves as a reminder that biblical construction involved skilled labor and deliberate preparation.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word kārûṯâ describes timber that has been cut, shaped, and prepared for building. It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, always referring to the cedar beams used in Solomon’s temple complex. This is not wild, unworked wood; it is material that has undergone careful labor to become part of a sacred structure.

For your faith, this highlights the value of preparation and skill in God’s work. Just as these beams were hewn from the forest to support a holy place, your life is being shaped for a purpose. The effort put into becoming ready for service matters deeply to God.

When you read about these cedar beams, remember that God uses prepared materials. He does not discard the work of human hands when it is offered in obedience. Your readiness and diligence are seen and valued by Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • beams of2×
  • and/ beams of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • כְּרֻתֹ֥ת1×
  • כְּרֻתֹ֣ת1×
  • וּ/כְרֻת֥וֹת1×

Key Verses

  • I Kings 6:36
    He built the inner court with three courses of cut stone and a course of cedar beams.

    This verse places cedar beams alongside cut stone to define the inner court, showing that prepared wood was essential for marking sacred space.

  • I Kings 7:2
    For he built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits, on four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams on the pillars.

    Here, beams rest directly on pillars in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, illustrating their structural role in supporting large royal buildings.

  • I Kings 7:12
    The great court around had three courses of cut stone with a course of cedar beams, like the inner court of Yahweh’s house and the porch of the house.

    The repetition of cedar beams in the great court mirrors the inner court’s design, emphasizing consistency and order in the temple’s construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does kārûṯâ mean in the Bible?

It is a Hebrew noun meaning hewn beams or prepared timber. It appears only three times, always in descriptions of Solomon’s temple buildings. The word emphasizes that the wood was cut and shaped for construction, not left as raw logs.

Why are cedar beams mentioned so specifically?

Cedar was a valuable, durable material reserved for important structures. Mentioning it shows the care and resources invested in God’s house. It also connects to the idea of something precious being used for holy purposes.

How is this word related to covenants?

The root verb kārath means to cut, which is also used for cutting animals in covenant rituals. While kārûṯâ refers to physical beams, the shared root reminds us that biblical construction and covenant-making both involve deliberate, binding actions.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

I Kings 3 verses
I Kings 6:36

He built the inner court with three courses of cut stone and a course of cedar beams.

I Kings 7:2

For he built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its…

I Kings 7:12

The great court around had three courses of cut stone with a course of cedar beams, like the inner court of Yahweh’s…