קׇרְבָּן (qor.ban)
qor.ban
offering
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 74 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qorban refers to an offering or oblation presented in worship. It appears seventy-four times in the Old Testament, with the highest concentration in Leviticus and Numbers where it describes the various sacrifices required by the Law. The term covers a broad range of ritual gifts brought to the altar, from grain and wine to livestock.
Its root meaning relates to drawing near, suggesting that the offering serves as a means of approaching God. This connects the physical gift with the spiritual act of coming into God’s presence. The word is used consistently in legal texts to designate what is consecrated for divine use, distinguishing it from common property.
Translators typically render qorban as "offering" or "oblation," reflecting its formal and ritual nature. In Nehemiah, the term appears in lists of contributions for maintaining the temple service, showing its practical role in sustaining worship. The word emphasizes the act of giving something sacred to God rather than the specific type of sacrifice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qorban points to something set apart for God. It comes from a root meaning to draw near. When an Israelite brought an offering, they were not just giving up goods. They were stepping into the presence of the Creator. This act bridged the gap between human limitation and divine holiness.
Leviticus 1:3 shows this clearly. The person laid a hand on the animal at the Tent of Meeting to be accepted before Yahweh. The gift was the means of approach. It reminds us that worship is about connection, not just ritual compliance. God invites us to bring what we have to draw closer to Him.
Today, this concept encourages honest engagement with faith. You do not need perfect status to approach God. You bring your offering—your time, resources, or heart—and He meets you there. The focus remains on the relationship established through the gift, inviting you to rest in His acceptance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 74 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- present/ his21×
- offering/ his15×
- [was] [the] offering of12×
- offering/ their5×
- present/ your4×
- a present4×
- a present of3×
- [the] present of3×
- [the] offering of3×
- to/ a present of1×
- presents/ their1×
- present of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קָרְבַּ֥ן14×
- קָרְבָּנ֞/וֹ10×
- קָרְבָּנ֑/וֹ6×
- קָרְבָּנ֖/וֹ4×
- קָרְבָּנ֔/וֹ4×
- קָרְבַּ֣ן4×
- קָרְבָּנ֜/וֹ3×
- קָרְבָּנ֛/וֹ3×
- קָרְבָּ֖ן3×
- קָרְבַּ֤ן3×
- קָרְבָּנָ֜/ם2×
- קָרְבָּנֶ֑/ךָ2×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 1:3
“‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without defect. He shall offer it at the door of the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted before Yahweh.
This verse links the physical act of offering a male without defect directly to being accepted before Yahweh at the Tent of Meeting.
-
Leviticus 3:2
He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood around on the altar.
The laying on of hands here signifies the personal transfer of the offering, connecting the giver's identity to the sacrifice for peace.
-
Leviticus 4:23
if his sin in which he has sinned is made known to him, he shall bring as his offering a goat, a male without defect.
This occurrence shows that an offering is required specifically when a sin is made known, serving as a formal step toward restoration.
-
Leviticus 5:11
“‘But if he can’t afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for that in which he has sinned, one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, and he shall not put any frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.
It demonstrates God's provision for the poor, allowing fine flour as a valid offering when livestock are too costly to give.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does qorban mean in the Old Testament?
Why is salt mentioned with every meal offering?
How does qorban relate to drawing near to God?
Every Occurrence (74 verses across 3 books)
Leviticus 35 verses
“Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When anyone of you offers an offering to Yahweh, you shall offer your…
Leviticus 1:3“‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without defect. He shall offer it at the…
Leviticus 1:10“‘If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male…
Leviticus 1:14“‘If his offering to Yahweh is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall offer his offering from turtledoves or of young…
Leviticus 2:1“‘When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to Yahweh, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil…
Leviticus 2:4“‘When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed…
Leviticus 2:5If your offering is a meal offering made on a griddle, it shall be of unleavened fine flour, mixed with oil.
Leviticus 2:7If your offering is a meal offering of the pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.
Leviticus 2:12As an offering of first fruits you shall offer them to Yahweh, but they shall not rise up as a pleasant aroma on the…
Leviticus 2:13Every offering of your meal offering you shall season with salt. You shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your…
Leviticus 3:1“‘If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall…
Leviticus 3:2He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons, the…
Leviticus 3:6“‘If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh is from the flock, either male or female, he shall offer…
Leviticus 3:7If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before Yahweh;
Leviticus 3:8and he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons shall…
Leviticus 3:12“‘If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before Yahweh.
Leviticus 3:14He shall offer from it as his offering, an offering made by fire to Yahweh; the fat that covers the innards, and all…
Leviticus 4:23if his sin in which he has sinned is made known to him, he shall bring as his offering a goat, a male without defect.
Leviticus 4:28if his sin which he has sinned is made known to him, then he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without…
Leviticus 4:32“‘If he brings a lamb as his offering for a sin offering, he shall bring a female without defect.
Leviticus 5:11“‘But if he can’t afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for that in which he…
Leviticus 7:13He shall offer his offering with the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving with cakes of leavened bread.
Leviticus 7:14Of it he shall offer one out of each offering for a heave offering to Yahweh. It shall be the priest’s who sprinkles…
Leviticus 7:15The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall…
Leviticus 7:16“‘But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a free will offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers…
Leviticus 7:29“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘He who offers the sacrifice of his peace offerings to Yahweh shall bring his…
Leviticus 7:38which Yahweh commanded Moses in Mount Sinai in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their…
Leviticus 9:7Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement…
Leviticus 9:15He presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and…
Leviticus 17:4and hasn’t brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting to offer it as an offering to Yahweh before Yahweh’s…
Leviticus 22:18“Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘Whoever is of the house of…
Leviticus 22:27“When a bull, a sheep, or a goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother. From the eighth day on it shall…
Leviticus 23:14You must not eat bread, or roasted grain, or fresh grain, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of…
Leviticus 27:9“‘If it is an animal of which men offer an offering to Yahweh, all that any man gives of such to Yahweh becomes holy.
Leviticus 27:11If it is any unclean animal, of which they do not offer as an offering to Yahweh, then he shall set the animal before…