Lexical Summary
qeren: horns, horn, hill
Original Word:קֶרֶן
Part of Speech:noun feminine; proper name, of a location; noun feminine
Transliteration:qeren
Pronunciation:keh'-ren
Phonetic Spelling:(keh'-ren)
KJV: X hill, horn
NASB:horns, horn, hill, might, rays, strength, tusks
Word Origin:[fromH7160 (קָרַן - shone)]
1. a horn (as projecting)
2. (by implication) a flask, cornet
3. (figuratively) power
4. (by resemblance) an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory)
5. (hence) a peak (of a mountain)
6. (hence) a corner (of the altar)
7. (hence) a ray (of light)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
hill, horn
Fromqaran; a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resembl. An elephant's tooth (i.e. Ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power -- X hill, horn.
see HEBREWqaran
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitiona horn
NASB Translationhill (1), horn (24), horns (46), might (1), rays (1), strength (1), tusks (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
75Jeremiah 48:25 ; — absolute
Isaiah 5:1 +,
Psalm 75:5; construct
Joshua 6:5 +; suffix
1 Samuel 2:1;
Psalm 92:11, etc.; dual
Habakkuk 3:4,
Daniel 8:3,6, -
Daniel 8:3;
Daniel 8:20; construct
1 Kings 22:11 +, suffix
Genesis 22:13;
Deuteronomy 33:17,
Daniel 8:7,
Ezekiel 34:21; plural (usually in derived senses)
Ezekiel 43:15 +; construct
Exodus 29:12 +, suffix
Exodus 27:2 +, etc.; —
horn: ()Genesis 22:13, so in Daniel's visionDaniel 8:3 (twice in verse);Daniel 8:6,7,20, and (of goat)Daniel 8:5;Daniel 8:8;Daniel 8:9;Daniel 8:21; of oppressors in Israel (under figure of rams)Ezekiel 34:21, so of nationsZechariah 2:2;Zechariah 2:4 (3 t. in verse); ofDeuteronomy 33:17;Psalm 22:22 (both figurative, comparePsalm 92:11); of Zion under figure of threshing-oxMicah 4:13;1 Kings 22:11 2Chronicles 18:10 (symbolic); seen in Zechariah's visionZechariah 2:1.
1 Samuel 16:1,13;1 Kings 1:39 (compare below).
, as wind-instrumentJoshua 6:5 (compare ).
Ezekiel 27:15 (from curved shape of tusks).
Deuteronomy 33:17,2 Samuel 22:3 =Psalm 18:3 (of as deliverer); others below or
; (, as of a lordly animal, compare Dr1Samuel 2. 1), denoting increase of might, dignity1 Samuel 2:1,10;Lamentations 2:17;Psalm 75:11;Psalm 89:18;Psalm 89:25;Psalm 92:11;Psalm 112:9, so perhaps1 Chronicles 25:5 (see Kau; > Beblow loudly [compare ]), +Psalm 148:14 (subject ); also haughtiness, arrogancePsalm 75:5;Psalm 75:6; opposed tohew off horns, i.e. reduce, humiliate,Lamentations 2:3;Psalm 75:11, passiveJeremiah 48:25, soJob 16:15;Ezekiel 29:21 is apparently of restoration of might (asPsalm 148:14 above, with ), butPsalm 132:17 of raising up individual ruler of Davidic line.
(26 t.),Amos 3:14;Jeremiah 17:1;Ezekiel 43:15,20;Psalm 118:27;Exodus 27:22 + 8t. Exodus;Leviticus 4:7,18 6t. Leviticus (all P); as sanctuary, refuge1 Kings 1:50,51;1 Kings 2:28.
hill (so in Arabic,peak, isolated hill, compare Ges)Isaiah 5:1.
Habakkuk 3:4rays at his side(s) had he (of lightning-flashes in theoph., compare Now Da). —Amos 6:13 see proper name, of a location
Amos 6:13 (so Gr We Now GASm, compare also above; and most below ); probably in Bashan, = 1Macc 5:43; 5:44, 2Macc 12:21; also inGenesis 14:5 (see III. above).
Daniel 7:8 (see Biblical Hebrew ); — absoluteDaniel 7:8; emphaticDaniel 3:5 +; dual (often !)Daniel 7:7; emphatic -Daniel 7:8 +; —
instrument of music,Daniel 3:5,7,10,15.
,Daniel 7:7,8 (3 t. in verse);Daniel 7:11,20 (twice in verse);Daniel 7:21,24.
Topical Lexicon
Range of Meaningקֶרֶן (qeren) denotes the horn of an animal and, by extension, any object or concept that shares a horn’s shape, prominence, or power. Scripture uses the term for literal anatomy, altar projections, oil vessels, musical instruments, and, above all, as a vivid metaphor for strength, authority, and salvation.
Literal Anatomy and Domestic Uses
The word first appears describing the natural horn of sacrificial animals (Exodus 21:29;Deuteronomy 33:17). Shepherds and hunters valued horns as trophies or tools, fashioning them into containers, drinking vessels, or trumpets. Job cites the majestic wild ox: “His horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he will gore the nations” (Deuteronomy 33:17). Such imagery arises from daily pastoral life, where a horn’s height and hardness stood for vigor and defense.
Horns on the Altar and the Theology of Atonement
Each bronze and golden altar in the tabernacle and temple carried four projecting horns (Exodus 27:2; 30:3). Blood was applied to these horns during sin offerings (Leviticus 4:7, 30). The act joined guilt with atonement, proclaiming that reconciliation with God rests on substitutionary sacrifice. Refuge seekers clung to those same horns, as Adonijah did when fearing Solomon (1 Kings 1:50–53), dramatizing the altar as a place of mercy and judgment.
Anointing from a Horn of Oil
Prophets stored consecrated oil in a horn, setting kings apart for divine service. The Lord told Samuel, “Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse” (1 Samuel 16:1). When the prophet anointed David, “Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him” (1 Samuel 16:13). The solid, protective horn became a fitting vessel for oil that symbolized the Holy Spirit’s empowering.
Symbol of Strength, Dignity, and Salvation
Biblical poets employ qeren as a metaphor for exalted might. Hannah rejoiced, “My horn is lifted high in the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:1), and later praised God who “will exalt the horn of His anointed” (1 Samuel 2:10). The Psalms expand the theme:
• “You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox” (Psalm 92:10).
• “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel… He has raised up a horn of salvation for us” (Luke 1:68-69, echoingPsalm 18:2).
When Scripture speaks of a horn being “cut off” (Jeremiah 48:25), it announces God’s judgment removing strength and honor. Conversely, the Lord pledges to “make the horn of David grow” (Psalm 132:17), guaranteeing the perpetuity of the Messianic line, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery
Prophets adopt the horn to portray ascending or collapsing powers. Zechariah sees four horns that “scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem” (Zechariah 1:18-21), then four craftsmen who cast them down, affirming God’s sovereign control over nations. Daniel’s visions elaborate: a ram with two horns, a goat with a conspicuous horn, and a little horn that becomes exceedingly great (Daniel 8:3-9). Each horn equals a kingdom or ruler, reinforcing the principle that earthly authority is temporary and accountable to the Ancient of Days.
Liturgical and Musical Usage
Horns served as wind instruments in worship and warfare. Joshua’s priests carried “seven trumpets of rams’ horns” before the ark (Joshua 6:4-5). Although shofar is the usual term for ram’s horn, qeren underlines the natural origin of the instrument that summoned God’s people, shattered Jericho’s walls, and accompanied festal praise (Psalm 98:6).
Christological Implications
Old Testament references to the “horn of salvation” converge on the person and work of the Messiah. By borrowing the imagery of regal power and altar grace, the prophets prepare the way for the New Testament proclamation: God has raised up in Jesus “a horn of salvation… in the house of His servant David” (Luke 1:69). The cross thus unites the altar’s atonement, the king’s anointing, and the warrior’s victory.
Practical Ministry Reflections
1. Assurance of Strength: Believers may echo Hannah and David, trusting God to lift their “horn” amid adversity.
2. Refuge in Atonement: The altar’s horns point to the finished work of Christ where sinners may grasp mercy.
3. Prophetic Perspective: Nations rise and fall, but the Lord alone exalts and abases horns; ministry must remain anchored in eternal truth, not transient power.
4. Consecration for Service: Like Samuel’s horn of oil, the Spirit still equips leaders whom God chooses.
Key References
Exodus 27:2;Exodus 30:3;Leviticus 4:7;Deuteronomy 33:17;Joshua 6:4-5;1 Samuel 2:1, 10;1 Samuel 16:1, 13;1 Kings 1:50-53;Psalm 18:2;Psalm 75:10;Psalm 92:10;Psalm 132:17;Jeremiah 48:25;Ezekiel 29:21;Daniel 8:3-9;Zechariah 1:18-21.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּקֶ֣רֶן בְּקֶ֥רֶן בְּקַרְנ֤וֹת בְּקַרְנ֥וֹת בְּקַרְנָ֑יו בקרן בקרנות בקרניו הַקְּרָנ֖וֹת הַקְּרָנ֞וֹת הַקְּרָנַ֔יִם הַקְּרָנָ֑יִם הַקְּרָנוֹת֙ הַקֶּ֣רֶן הקרן הקרנות הקרנים וְהַקְּרָנַ֣יִם וְהַקֶּ֤רֶן וְקֶ֣רֶן וְקֶֽרֶן־ וְקַרְנֵ֤י וּבְקַרְנֵיכֶ֥ם וּלְקַרְנ֖וֹת וּמִקַּרְנֵ֖י ובקרניכם והקרן והקרנים ולקרנות ומקרני וקרן וקרן־ וקרני קְרָנָ֑יִם קְרָנָ֔יו קְרָנֽוֹת׃ קֶ֙רֶן֙ קֶ֛רֶן קֶ֣רֶן קֶ֤רֶן קֶ֥רֶן קֶ֨רֶן ׀ קֶֽרֶן־ קַ֝רְנ֗וֹ קַ֝רְנ֗וֹת קַ֠רְנוֹת קַֽרְנ֥וֹת קַרְנ֣וֹת קַרְנ֥וֹת קַרְנ֨וֹת קַרְנְךָ֜ קַרְנְכֶ֑ם קַרְנִ֑י קַרְנִ֖י קַרְנִֽי׃ קַרְנֵ֞ךְ קַרְנֵ֣י קַרְנֵֽנוּ׃ קַרְנַ֥יִם קַרְנָ֔יו קַרְנָֽיִם׃ קַרְנֹ֖ת קַרְנֹ֣ת קַרְנֹ֥ת קַרְנֹתָ֑יו קַרְנֹתָ֔יו קַרְנֹתָ֗יו קַרְנֹתָֽיו׃ קַרְנֹתָיו֙ קַרְנֽוֹ׃ קָ֑רֶן קָֽרֶן׃ קרן קרן־ קרן׃ קרנו קרנו׃ קרנות קרנות׃ קרני קרני׃ קרניו קרנים קרנים׃ קרנך קרנכם קרננו׃ קרנת קרנתיו קרנתיו׃ bə·qar·nāw bə·qar·nō·wṯ bə·qe·ren bekarNav bekarNot beKeren bəqarnāw bəqarnōwṯ bəqeren hakkeraNayim hakkeraNot hakKeren haq·qə·rā·na·yim haq·qə·rā·nā·yim haq·qə·rā·nō·wṯ haq·qe·ren haqqərānayim haqqərānāyim haqqərānōwṯ haqqeren Karen karNav karNayim karNech karneCha karneChem karNei karNenu karNi karNo karNot karnoTav keraNav keraNayim keraNot Keren qā·ren qar·na·yim qar·nā·yim qar·nāw qar·nê qar·nə·ḵā qar·nə·ḵem qar·nê·nū qar·nêḵ qar·nî qar·nō·ṯāw qar·nō·wṯ qar·nōṯ qar·nōw qāren qarnāw qarnayim qarnāyim qarnê qarnêḵ qarnəḵā qarnəḵem qarnênū qarnî qarnōṯ qarnōṯāw qarnōw qarnōwṯ qə·rā·nā·yim qə·rā·nāw qə·rā·nō·wṯ qe·ren qe·ren- qərānāw qərānāyim qərānōwṯ qeren qeren- ū·ḇə·qar·nê·ḵem ū·lə·qar·nō·wṯ ū·miq·qar·nê ūḇəqarnêḵem ulekarNot ūləqarnōwṯ umikkarNei ūmiqqarnê uvekarneiChem vehakkeraNayim vehakKeren vekarNei veKeren wə·haq·qə·rā·na·yim wə·haq·qe·ren wə·qar·nê wə·qe·ren wə·qe·ren- wəhaqqərānayim wəhaqqeren wəqarnê wəqeren wəqeren-
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