קֶ֫רֶן (qe.ren)
qe.ren
horn; Karnaim
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 53 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qeren literally means horn, referring to the hard, curved projection on the heads of animals like rams or bulls. Because these structures are durable and used for defense, the word naturally became a metaphor for strength and power. This figurative use appears frequently in the Psalms and prophetic literature, where God is described as raising up the horn of His anointed one to signify restored authority and victory.
The physical shape of a horn also led to secondary meanings. In ritual contexts, the altar had qerenim, or projections at its corners, which were touched by those seeking refuge. The curved form was also practical; a hollowed-out horn served as a container for oil or wine, while the natural curve made it suitable as a wind instrument to signal events. Translators sometimes struggle with this range, choosing between literal "horn" and metaphorical "power" depending on the context.
One striking example of its descriptive power occurs in Exodus 34:29-30. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai, his face shone with rays of light after speaking with God. The text uses a related root to describe these rays as horns of light, illustrating how the sharp, projecting nature of a horn was used to visualize divine radiance. This image connects physical strength with spiritual glory.
The word also appears in place names, such as Ashteroth Karnaim, likely referring to a location characterized by hills or peaks. Across these varied uses, qeren consistently points to something that projects outward, whether it is the tangible strength of an animal, the sacred projections of an altar, or the visible glory of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qeren literally means horn, referring to the hard, curved projection on the heads of animals like rams or bulls. Because these structures are durable and used for defense, the word naturally became a metaphor for strength and power. This figurative use appears frequently in the Psalms and prophetic literature, where God is described as raising up the horn of His anointed one to signify restored authority and victory.
In ritual contexts, the altar had qerenim, or projections at its corners, which were touched by those seeking refuge. The curved form was also practical; a hollowed-out horn served as a container for oil or wine, while the natural curve made it suitable as a wind instrument to signal events. Translators sometimes struggle with this range, choosing between literal "horn" and metaphorical "power" depending on the context.
One striking example of its descriptive power occurs in Exodus 34:29-30. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai, his face shone with rays of light after speaking with God. The text uses a related root to describe these rays as horns of light, illustrating how the sharp, projecting nature of a horn was used to visualize divine radiance. This image connects physical strength with spiritual glory.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 53 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] horns of11×
- horns/ its10×
- [the] horn of5×
- a horn4×
- on/ [the] horns of3×
- two horns2×
- the/ two horns2×
- horns of2×
- horn/ your2×
- horn/ my2×
- the/ horn1×
- on/ a horn of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קַרְנֹתָ֑י/ו4×
- קֶ֣רֶן4×
- קַרְנֹ֖ת3×
- קֶ֥רֶן3×
- קַרְנֹתָֽי/ו\׃2×
- קַרְנֹתָ֗י/ו2×
- קַרְנֵ֣י2×
- קַרְנ֣וֹת2×
- בְּ/קַרְנ֥וֹת2×
- קָ֑רֶן1×
- קַרְנֹתָ֔י/ו1×
- קַרְנֹ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 2:1
Hannah prayed, and said, “My heart exults in Yahweh! My horn is exalted in Yahweh. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.
Hannah uses "horn" as a personal metaphor for her exalted status and joy in God's salvation, shifting the term from military might to intimate deliverance.
-
Exodus 30:10
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year; with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to Yahweh.”
This verse establishes the annual atonement ritual performed on the altar's horns, linking the physical structure directly to the concept of spiritual cleansing and mercy.
-
I Samuel 2:10
Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
The phrase "exalt the horn of his anointed" becomes a standard prophetic expression for God granting victory and authority to His chosen king.
-
Genesis 22:13
Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
The literal ram caught by its horns provides the immediate substitute for Isaac, grounding the abstract concept of provision in a tangible, physical detail.