qe.ren denotes an animal horn, altar horns, and imagery of strength or rulership in the Bible.

The term most often names the horns attached to an altar, especially where blood is put on them or where someone takes hold of them. It also refers to animal horns and horn-shaped items, while several passages use a horn in images of exaltation, strength, defeat, or a ruler; Daniel’s vision expressly identifies horns with kings.

1. Horns of an altar · dominant

   Plural construct forms occur with altars and their corners: in Exodus 27:2 the APB renders an instruction to make horns on the altar’s four corners, and in Leviticus 4:18 it renders blood being put on the horns of the altar. The same altar features are places to which Adonijah and Joab take hold in 1 Kings 1:50 and 1 Kings 2:28.

   Exodus 27:2Exodus 29:12Leviticus 4:18Leviticus 16:181 Kings 1:501 Kings 2:28
2. Animal horns and horn-shaped objects · common

   The term names horns used for goring: in Deuteronomy 33:17 the APB renders the horns of a wild ox with which peoples are gored, and in Ezekiel 34:21 it renders goring the weak with horns. It also occurs for a container of oil in 1 Samuel 16:13 and for iron horns made for a prophetic action in 1 Kings 22:11.

   Deuteronomy 33:17Ezekiel 34:211 Samuel 16:11 Samuel 16:131 Kings 22:11Joshua 6:5
3. Image of strength, elevation, or defeat · common

   Singular forms appear in clauses of raising, exalting, cutting off, or bringing low. In 1 Samuel 2:10 the APB renders the LORD giving strength to his king and exalting his horn; in Jeremiah 48:25 it renders Moab’s horn as cut off, and in Job 16:15 it renders Job thrusting his horn into the dust.

   1 Samuel 2:11 Samuel 2:102 Samuel 22:3Jeremiah 48:25Lamentations 2:3Psalm 132:17
4. Visionary horns identifying rulers · occasional

   In Daniel’s vision, horns belong to the ram and goat, are broken or arise, and receive explicit identification. Daniel 8:20 renders the ram’s two horns as the kings of Madai and Persia, while Daniel 8:21 renders the large horn between the goat’s eyes as the first king.

   Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:7Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:20Daniel 8:21

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term as “horn” or “horns,” including altar horns, animal horns, and the figures in Daniel’s vision. In figurative clauses it also retains “horn” alongside actions such as being exalted, cut off, or springing up.