קֹרֵא (qo.re)
qo.re
partridge
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qore refers specifically to a partridge, a small game bird known for its distinctive call. Its etymology is transparent: the word derives from the root meaning "to call" or "to cry out," highlighting the bird’s vocal nature as its primary identifier in the ancient landscape.
Although it appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its usage carries significant weight. In 1 Samuel 26:20, David uses the image of a hunter pursuing this small bird to illustrate how Saul seeks his life with disproportionate intensity. Later, Jeremiah 17:11 employs the partridge as a metaphor for one who gains wealth unjustly; like the bird that hatches eggs it did not lay, such a person will ultimately lose their ill-gotten gains in their final days.
Translators consistently render this term as "partridge," preserving the specific zoological reference rather than generalizing it to "bird" or "game." This precision allows readers to grasp the vivid, somewhat ironic imagery Jeremiah and David employed to critique power and greed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qoreh refers to a partridge, a small bird known for its loud call. In ancient times, this imagery helped speakers describe situations with vivid precision. When David spoke of being hunted like a partridge, he highlighted the unfair intensity of his pursuers. This reminds us that our struggles are seen and understood by God.
Jeremiah used the same bird to warn against greed. The partridge sits on eggs it did not lay, symbolizing wealth gained through dishonest means. Such gains may seem secure in the moment but often vanish. This teaches us to value integrity over quick profits.
These brief references show how everyday nature illustrates deep spiritual truths. Whether facing opposition or temptation, we can look to Scripture for clarity. God’s word uses simple images to guide our hearts toward wisdom and trust.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ partridge1×
- a partridge1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קֹרֵ֤א1×
- הַ/קֹּרֵ֖א1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 17:11
As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right. In the middle of his days, they will leave him. At his end, he will be a fool.
The prophet uses the partridge hatching foreign eggs as a metaphor for those who accumulate wealth through unjust means.