קְרָב (qe.rav)
qe.rav
battle
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qerav denotes a battle or war, specifically highlighting the concept of a hostile approach or close engagement. It appears six times in the Old Testament, primarily within poetic and prophetic literature such as Psalms, Job, and Zechariah. The term captures the immediacy of conflict, suggesting an enemy drawing near to fight rather than a distant skirmish.
Its usage often emphasizes the tension of confrontation. In Psalms, it describes the chaos of armies gathering against God’s people, while in Zechariah, it frames the eschatological struggle between divine forces and opposing nations. The word carries a weight of physical danger and spiritual opposition, reflecting the reality of conflict as an encroaching threat.
Though rare, qerav provides a precise image for the intensity of biblical warfare. It is not merely about the outcome of a battle but the act of coming together in hostility. This focus on proximity distinguishes it from more general terms for war, grounding the concept in the visceral experience of facing an adversary.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qerav describes a battle not as a distant event, but as an immediate, close-quarters confrontation. It captures the tension of an enemy drawing near, forcing a direct and personal engagement. This imagery reminds us that spiritual conflicts are often felt in the closeness of the threat rather than just its scale.
In our own lives, we may face pressures that feel like this 'day of battle.' The Psalms show us turning to God when such hostility arises, acknowledging His role as the one who trains our hands for war. This is not a call to violence, but an invitation to trust in divine strength when facing overwhelming odds.
Ultimately, this word points to a hope beyond the conflict. Zechariah envisions a time when God Himself steps into the fray to defend His people. For believers today, this offers comfort: we do not face our struggles alone, for the Creator is present in the midst of the storm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- battle3×
- war1×
- in the/ battle1×
- for <the>/ war1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְרָֽב\׃2×
- קְרָ֑ב1×
- קְ֝רָ֗ב1×
- לַ/קְרָ֑ב1×
- בַּ/קְרָֽב\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 144:1
By David. Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who trains my hands to war, and my fingers to battle—
David acknowledges that God actively trains his hands for battle, linking human effort with divine preparation for conflict.
-
Zechariah 14:3
Then Yahweh will go out and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
This verse depicts Yahweh personally going out to fight against nations, emphasizing His direct intervention in eschatological struggle.
-
Job 38:23
which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
God questions Job about reserving fire and hail for the day of battle, highlighting divine sovereignty over the timing and nature of conflict.