Lexicon
קְרָא
qe.ra
H7123
A:V Hebrew

to read

11
Occurrences
2
Books
Hebrew
Language

qe.ra denotes reading a written message, and in one public setting it is presented as a herald’s proclamation.

The attested use chiefly concerns reading a writing or letter, often alongside making its interpretation known. A participial occurrence in Daniel 3:4 is presented in the setting of a herald’s public proclamation, while Daniel 4:11 does not make the term’s specific contribution transparent in the APB.

Senses in use

  1. Reading a writing or letter · dominant

    In Daniel 5:15 and Daniel 5:16, the forms occur with “this writing” and with making its interpretation known; the APB renders the action as reading the writing. Daniel 5:17 has Daniel say that he will read the writing to the king, while Ezra 4:18 and Ezra 4:23 use passive perfect forms in clauses where a letter has been read.

  2. Public proclamation by a herald · occasional

    In Daniel 3:4, a Qal active participle is attached to the herald’s action; the APB renders the clause, “the herald proclaimed with strength,” before the command addressed to peoples, nations, and languages.

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the writing and letter contexts, the APB commonly presents the action with “read” or “has been read.” In Daniel 3:4 it renders the herald’s clause as “proclaimed,” and Daniel 4:11 does not transparently show the term’s specific contribution in the translation.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture