קָרָא (qa.ra)
qa.ra
to encounter: meet
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 125 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qara primarily means to encounter or meet, often with a sense of something happening by chance or unexpectedly. In its basic form, it describes people meeting one another, but it frequently shifts to describe events befalling someone. This usage appears in narratives where circumstances converge without prior planning, such as when Joseph’s brothers are surprised by his presence (Genesis 42:6) or when David encounters a messenger reporting battle outcomes (2 Samuel 18:9).
Its range extends beyond physical meetings to abstract situations "falling out" or happening. The sources note it can imply meeting in a hostile manner, adding tension to these unexpected encounters. Translators often render it as "happen," "befall," or "meet," depending on whether the subject is a person or an event. This flexibility allows the word to bridge personal interaction and divine providence, showing how chance meetings often serve larger narrative purposes in the biblical text.
Etymologically, some scholars link it to roots meaning to cry out, suggesting that encounters can be sudden and startling. However, the primary lexical weight rests on the idea of coming together or facing something new. This dual sense of meeting a person and experiencing an event highlights the Hebrew worldview where human interactions and divine actions are often intertwined in unexpected ways.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qara often describes an encounter that arrives without warning. It bridges the gap between human planning and divine timing. When Jacob runs to meet his father or when Moses stands by the river, these moments feel sudden yet significant. The text suggests that unexpected meetings are not random accidents but opportunities for connection.
For your daily life, this offers a gentle reminder to stay open to who you might meet. A stranger at the market or a friend in need may carry a message or a blessing you did not anticipate. Instead of resisting the unexpected, consider these moments as invitations to listen and respond with kindness.
This perspective shifts how we view our schedule and our worries. We do not need to control every outcome to find peace. Trusting that meaningful encounters can happen anywhere allows us to move through our day with a lighter heart and a ready spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 125 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ meet47×
- to/ meet/ him27×
- to/ meet/ them15×
- to/ meet/ you6×
- to/ meet/ me6×
- to/ meet/ us5×
- to/ meet/ her4×
- to/ meet/ it1×
- they will happen1×
- it will happen to1×
- it will be met1×
- it should happen to/ him1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִ/קְרַ֣את18×
- לִ/קְרַ֥את11×
- לִ/קְרָאת֔/וֹ6×
- לִ/קְרָאת֑/וֹ6×
- לִ/קְרָאתָ֔/ם5×
- לִ/קְרַ֖את5×
- לִ/קְרָאתָ֑/ם4×
- לִ/קְרָאת֖/וֹ4×
- לִ/קְרָאת/וֹ֙4×
- לִ/קְרָאתִ֔/י3×
- לִ/קְרַאת\־3×
- לִ/קְרַ֤את3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 18:2
He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,
Abraham runs to meet the visitors, showing how hospitality responds immediately to an unexpected divine encounter.
-
Exodus 5:3
They said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Yahweh, our God, lest he fall on us with pestilence, or with the sword.”
The Israelites describe God meeting them as a decisive event that compels them to seek freedom from slavery.
-
Genesis 42:4
But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”
Jacob fears harm might happen to Benjamin, highlighting how the word applies to potential adverse events befalling a person.
-
Exodus 19:17
Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.
Moses leads the people out to meet God, framing the revelation at Sinai as a direct and purposeful encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word qara mean in this context?
How is this word different from other words for calling?
Why does this word appear in stories about fear or danger?
Every Occurrence (125 verses across 19 books)
Genesis 13 verses
The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with…
Genesis 15:10He brought him all these, and divided them in the middle, and laid each half opposite the other; but he didn’t divide…
Genesis 18:2He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the…
Genesis 19:1The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed…
Genesis 24:17The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”
Genesis 24:65She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.”…
Genesis 29:13When Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and…
Genesis 30:16Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have…
Genesis 33:4Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.
Genesis 42:4But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”
Genesis 42:38He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along…
Genesis 46:29Joseph prepared his chariot, and went up to meet Israel, his father, in Goshen. He presented himself to him, and fell…
Genesis 49:1Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which will happen to you in…