מְקָרֶה (me.qa.reh)
me.qa.reh
rafter
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun meqareh refers to the structural beams or rafters that form the framework of a roof. It appears only once in the Old Testament, located in Ecclesiastes 10:18, where it serves as the central image for a metaphor about neglect and decay.
In this verse, the text describes how laziness causes the rafters to sink or collapse. The word highlights the hidden support system of a building; when these essential components fail due to carelessness, the entire structure becomes unstable. It is not merely about decorative woodwork, but about the critical load-bearing elements that keep a house standing.
This single usage underscores the practical wisdom found in Ecclesiastes: small, ignored maintenance issues can lead to catastrophic structural failure. The word reminds readers that stability relies on consistent care for the underlying supports, whether in a physical home or in daily conduct.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word meqareh points to the hidden beams that hold a roof up. It appears only once in Scripture, in Ecclesiastes 10:18. Solomon uses this image to show how laziness weakens the very supports we rely on for safety and shelter.
These rafters are not visible from the outside, yet they carry the weight of the entire house. When care is neglected, the structure slowly fails. This reminds us that stability in life often depends on steady, unseen effort. Small acts of diligence protect what matters most.
God gives us wisdom to maintain our homes and hearts. By paying attention to the details, we preserve peace and security for ourselves and those we love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ rafter[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מְּקָרֶ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 10:18
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
This verse uses the rafter as a metaphor for how slothfulness causes the entire structure of a home to fail, showing that neglect of basic maintenance leads to collapse.