קֹרֵא
𐤒𐤓𐤀
qôrêʼ
H7124 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A partridge; specifically, a type of ground-dwelling bird known for its distinctive call. Used in the Hebrew Bible as a metaphor in narrative contexts. The term is a participial noun meaning 'the one calling,' referencing the vocalizations of the bird, especially in the breeding season. The broader semantic range encompasses references to partridge as an object of hunting, emblem of elusive quarry, or as an animal subject in narrative parables.
Semantic Range
partridge (the bird), one who calls (metaphorically; in direct translation), hunted or elusive quarry, symbol of acquisition not retained; used specifically for a type of bird known for its call, applied metaphorically in texts depicting pursuit or futile gain
Root / Etymology
From the root קרא (to call, cry out, proclaim); the participle form קֹרֵא ('one who calls/calls out') is applied metonymically to the partridge because of its distinctive calling behavior, especially prominent during mating displays or territorial defense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, קֹרֵא appears in 1 Samuel 26:20 and Jeremiah 17:11, always referring to the bird (partridge) in the context of pursuit or elusive acquisition. The choice of this term draws attention to the bird’s recognizable call, which made it known and identifiable in the region. In 1 Samuel, the metaphor evokes the hunted partridge as an elusive quarry, paralleling the experience of being pursued. In Jeremiah, the reference highlights the theme of fruitless gain, further informed by the bird’s reputation for being difficult to catch or for collecting eggs it did not lay. English translations uniformly render it as 'partridge,' but the original term signals the bird’s vocal habits rather than its generic taxonomic identity. The identification with specific species is debated, but the term indisputably points to a call-recognized ground bird. קֹרֵא is not the only Hebrew term for birds, but is unique in its focus on the aural behavior of the animal.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
properly, active participle of קָרָא; a caller, i.e. partridge (from its cry); partridge. See also קוֹרֵא.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קרא (q-r-ʾ) — to call, cry out, proclaim, summon
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4744 | מִקְרָא | in the summoned assembly |
| H6981 | קוֹרֵא | the one who calls |
| H7121 | קָרָא | in my calling |
| H7122 | קָרָא | to encounter |
| H7123 | קְרָא | I will call out |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7124-01 |
הַ/קֹּרֵ֖א | haqore | HTd/Ncmsa |
one | the calling-one | 1 |
H7124-02 |
קֹרֵ֤א | qore | HNcmsa |
partridge | the one calling | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7124-01 |
1 Samuel 26:20 | הַ/קֹּרֵ֖א | haqore | HTd/Ncmsa |
one | the calling-one |
H7124-02 |
Jeremiah 17:11 | קֹרֵ֤א | qore | HNcmsa |
partridge | the one calling |