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קְעָרָה (qe.a.rah)

qe.a.rah

dish

H7086 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 17 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

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

Definition

Definition

dish, platter

Brown-Driver-Briggs

קְעָרָה 17 n.f. dish, platter (P)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

dish, platter

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word qe'arah refers to a dish or bowl, specifically those crafted from pure gold for the sacred table in the wilderness tabernacle. These vessels held the showbread, a constant reminder that God provided for His people even in the desert. The meticulous care taken to craft these items from precious materials highlights the value placed on worship and the presence of God among Israel.

For your faith today, this word invites you to consider how you present your daily life before God. Just as the priests handled these sacred dishes with reverence, you are called to offer your ordinary moments—your meals, your work, your rest—as acts of worship. God is interested in the details of your obedience and the sincerity of your heart.

When you reflect on these golden bowls, remember that they were not just for display but for sustaining the community through God’s provision. Your life, too, can be a vessel of blessing to others when it is set apart for holy purposes. Let this truth encourage you to live with intentionality and gratitude in every season.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • [was] a dish of11×
  • dishes/ its2×
  • the/ dishes1×
  • the/ dish1×
  • dishes of1×
  • a dish of1×

Forms in the text

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

  • קַֽעֲרַת\־10×
  • קַֽעֲרַת\־2×
  • קְּעָרֹתָ֜י/ו1×
  • קַעֲרֹ֨ת1×
  • קְעָרֹתָ֤י/ו1×
  • הַ/קְּעָרֹ֤ת1×
  • הַ/קְּעָרָ֤ה1×

Key Verses

  • Exodus 25:29
    You shall make its dishes, its spoons, its ladles, and its bowls with which to pour out offerings. You shall make them of pure gold.

    This verse establishes the command to make these specific gold dishes for the table of showbread, defining their primary sacred function.

  • Numbers 7:13
    and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

    Here the dish is part of the tribal prince's offering, showing its role in the communal dedication of the altar and worship practices.

  • Exodus 37:16
    He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

    This passage records the actual construction of the vessels by Bezalel, confirming the use of pure gold for these holy utensils.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does qe'arah mean in the Bible?

It is a Hebrew noun meaning 'dish' or 'bowl,' specifically referring to the golden vessels used on the showbread table in the tabernacle and later in the temple.

Why were these dishes made of gold?

Gold was chosen because it is a precious, uncorruptible metal, symbolizing the holiness and glory of God. The use of pure gold for sacred objects reflected the high value God placed on worship.

Where does this word appear most often?

It appears frequently in Numbers 7 during the listing of offerings from the twelve tribes, as well as in Exodus 25 and 37 where the tabernacle vessels are described.

Every Occurrence (17 verses across 2 books)