Lexical Summary
qera: Tear, piece, fragment
Original Word:קְרָא
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:qra'
Pronunciation:keh-rah
Phonetic Spelling:(ker-aw')
NASB:read, called, proclaimed, shouted, summoned
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) corresponding toH7121 (קָרָא - called)]
1. call, cry, read
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
call, cry, read
(Aramaic) corresponding toqara' -- call, cry, read.
see HEBREWqara'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to
qaraDefinitionto call, read out or aloud
NASB Translationcalled (1), proclaimed (1), read (7), shouted (1), summoned (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (see Biblical Hebrew I. ); —
Imperfect3masculine singularDaniel 5:7, 1singularDaniel 5:17; 3masculine pluralDaniel 5:15;InfinitiveDaniel 5:8;Daniel 5:16;Participle activeDaniel 3:4 +; —
call, proclaim, :Daniel 3:4;Daniel 4:11;Daniel 5:7
read out, aloud, accusativeDaniel 5:7,8,15,16,17 ( person).
(WCG 225)Perfect3masculine singularEzra 4:18,23it was read, person
be summoned, Imperfect3masculine singularDaniel 5:12.
Topical Lexicon
OverviewStrong’s 7123, קְרָא, appears eleven times in the Old Testament, all within the post-exilic books of Ezra and Daniel. Whether rendered “read,” “proclaim,” or “call,” the verb consistently conveys a public declaration that carries authority and demands a response. The contexts range from royal correspondence and imperial decrees to heavenly announcements and crisis moments in the Babylonian court.
Spectrum of Usage
1. Reading an official document aloud (Ezra 4:18;Ezra 4:23;Daniel 5:7-17).
2. Heralding an imperial mandate (Daniel 3:4).
3. Voicing a divine judgment (Daniel 4:14).
4. Summoning a person gifted to interpret revelation (Daniel 5:12).
Royal and Administrative Decrees (Ezra 4)
Ezra 4:18 records Artaxerxes’ reply to the Persian officials: “The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence.” The simple act of reading legitimizes the contents before the king, illustrating how proclamation turns policy into enforceable reality. When the same letter is later read to local authorities (Ezra 4:23), construction on the temple is forcefully halted. The passage warns that ungodly decrees, once “read,” can hinder God’s work, yet His larger redemptive plan remains intact.
Imperial Heralds and Idolatry (Daniel 3)
At the plain of Dura, “the herald loudly proclaimed, ‘O peoples, nations, and men of every language…’” (Daniel 3:4). The verb underscores the sweeping scope of Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship the golden image. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s refusal shows that allegiance to God supersedes even the most public and powerful human proclamation.
Heavenly Voice of Judgment (Daniel 4)
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream a watcher “called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree…’” (Daniel 4:14). Here קְרָא conveys an irrevocable decree from heaven. Earthly kings may issue edicts, but the Most High’s proclamation determines their fates, reminding readers that divine sovereignty governs human history.
The Writing on the Wall (Daniel 5)
Six of the eleven occurrences cluster inDaniel 5, where Belshazzar’s terror hinges on the inability of Babylon’s sages “to read the inscription.” The repetition of קְרָא emphasizes the contrast between human incompetence and the Spirit-endowed insight of Daniel. When Daniel finally stands before the king he declares, “Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him” (Daniel 5:17). Reading becomes revelation, and proclamation becomes judgment: Babylon will fall that very night.
Theological Themes
• Authority of the spoken word: Whether human or divine, the act of calling out renders a message binding.
• Revelation and interpretation: Genuine understanding of God’s declarations requires spiritual illumination.
• Accountability: Once proclaimed or read, a message leaves hearers without excuse; response is mandatory.
• Sovereignty: Earthly proclamations are subservient to God’s ultimate decree.
Ministry Implications
1. Public reading of Scripture remains central in congregational life (cf.1 Timothy 4:13), echoingEzra 4’s courtroom atmosphere.
2. Preachers and teachers are heralds who must accurately “read” God’s message and proclaim it with clarity and courage, following Daniel’s example.
3. Disciples are called to discern between competing voices—imperial, cultural, or divine—and obey the superior authority of God’s Word.
Christological and New Testament Resonance
The motif of authoritative proclamation foreshadows the gospel call. Jesus arrives in Galilee “proclaiming the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14), and the apostles become heralds to the nations. Just as Daniel alone could read the mysterious writing, Christ alone fully reveals the Father (John 1:18) and breaks the sealed scroll (Revelation 5:5-9).
Pastoral Reflections
Believers today navigate a world filled with competing edicts. The narrative arc of קְרָא encourages steadfastness: listen first to heaven’s decree, announce it faithfully, and trust God to accomplish His purposes even amid opposition.
Key References
Ezra 4:18;Ezra 4:23
Daniel 3:4
Daniel 4:14
Daniel 5:7-8, 12, 15-17
Forms and Transliterations
אֶקְרֵ֣א אקרא יִקְר֔וֹן יִקְרֵ֞ה יִתְקְרֵ֖י יקרה יקרון יתקרי לְמִקְרֵ֔א לְמִקְרֵ֗א למקרא קֱרִ֖י קֱרִ֧י קָרֵ֣א קָרֵ֤א קָרֵ֨א קרא קרי ’eq·rê ’eqrê ekRe kaRe keRi lə·miq·rê lemikRe ləmiqrê qā·rê qārê qĕ·rî qĕrî yikReh yikRon yiq·rêh yiq·rō·wn yiqrêh yiqrōwn yiṯ·qə·rê yitkeRei yiṯqərê
Links
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