מְקֵרָה (me.qe.rah)
me.qe.rah
cool
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun meqerah denotes a state of coolness or the act of cooling. In the Hebrew Bible, this term appears only twice, both within the book of Judges. It describes a physical relief from heat, serving as a concrete image for comfort and restoration.
In its first occurrence (Judges 3:20), Eglon is struck down while seated on his "cool throne" or in a "cool room," depending on translation. The setting implies a private, climate-controlled space designed for leisure away from the harsh sun. This specific usage highlights how physical coolness provided a sense of security and ease for the king.
The second instance (Judges 4:21) describes Jael driving a tent peg into the side of sleeping Sisera while he lay in "coolness." Here, the word underscores the vulnerability of the general. The comfort of the shade contrasts sharply with the violence that follows, turning a symbol of rest into a trap.
Translators often render meqerah as "cool place" or simply "coolness." The rarity of the word suggests it was not a common everyday term but one reserved for specific literary effects. Its usage in Judges emphasizes the irony of comfort preceding defeat, where physical ease masks impending danger.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word meqerah describes a state of coolness or relief from heat. In the biblical text, it appears only twice, both in the book of Judges. These rare occurrences use physical comfort as a backdrop for dramatic events. The term highlights how ease and security can sometimes mask impending danger.
In Judges 3:20, King Eglon sits in a cool upper room, feeling safe and alone. This setting of privacy and relief becomes the stage for his downfall. Similarly, in Judges 4:21, Sisera rests in the shade before being struck down. The word reminds us that physical comfort does not always guarantee safety or peace.
For your faith life, this word invites reflection on where you find rest. It encourages trust in God rather than relying solely on comfortable circumstances. True security comes from His presence, not just a cool place to sit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ coolness2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מְּקֵרָֽה\׃1×
- הַ/מְּקֵרָ֤ה1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 3:20
Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God to you.” He arose out of his seat.
This verse uses the word to describe Eglon's private upper room, highlighting the irony of his sense of security before Ehud's attack.