Lexical Summary qereach: Bald Original Word: קֵרֵחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bald head From qarach; bald (on the back of the head) -- bald (head). see HEBREW qarach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qarach Definition bald NASB Translation bald (1), baldhead (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs קֵרֵחַ adjective bald; — Leviticus 13:40 (distinct from גִּבֵּחַ Leviticus 13:41); noun masculine 2 Kings 2:23 (twice in verse). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Immediate ContextThe Hebrew adjective קֵרֵחַ appears three times: Leviticus 13:40; 2 Kings 2:23 (twice). In both settings the underlying subject is physical baldness, yet each passage treats it from a very different vantage—one priestly, the other prophetic and moral. Baldness and Ritual Purity (Leviticus 13:40) “Now if a man’s hair falls out from his head, he is bald, but he is clean.” 1. Physical condition, not moral fault. The priestly instruction safeguards the community from infectious skin disease while expressly shielding a naturally bald man from stigma. Mockery of the Prophet (2 Kings 2:23) “As he was walking along the road, some young boys came out of the city and mocked him, saying, ‘Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!’” 1. Insult against God’s representative. The ridicule aimed at Elisha’s baldness is ultimately contempt for the prophetic office and, by extension, for the Lord who authorized it (2 Kings 2:15). Historical and Cultural Setting • In the ancient Near East, abundant hair often symbolized vitality and honor, whereas baldness could connote mourning or humiliation (Isaiah 3:24; Jeremiah 48:37). Theological Trajectory 1. God’s concern for the marginalized. Leviticus affirms personal worth irrespective of physical appearance, anticipating New Testament teaching that “there is no favoritism” with God (Ephesians 6:9). Ministry Applications • Guard the tongue. James 3:9-10 warns against cursing fellow image-bearers. The Bethel youths illustrate the peril of flippant speech toward God’s people. Conclusion Though קֵרֵחַ surfaces only thrice, it unlocks enduring lessons: God does not disparage natural conditions; He defends His servants; and He calls His people to gracious speech and honor rooted in holy fear. Forms and Transliterations קֵרֵ֖חַ קֵרֵ֥חַ קֵרֵֽחַ׃ קרח קרח׃ keReach qê·rê·aḥ qêrêaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 13:40 HEB: יִמָּרֵ֖ט רֹאשׁ֑וֹ קֵרֵ֥חַ ה֖וּא טָה֥וֹר NAS: of his head, he is bald; he is clean. KJV: off his head, he [is] bald; [yet is] he clean. INT: loses of his head is bald he is clean 2 Kings 2:23 2 Kings 2:23 3 Occurrences |