7142. qereach

Lexical Summary

qereach: Bald

Original Word: קֵרֵחַ
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: qereach
Pronunciation: keh-ray'-akh
Phonetic Spelling: (kay-ray'-akh)
KJV: bald (head)
NASB: baldhead, bald
Word Origin: [from H7139 (קָרַח - make)]

1. bald (on the back of the head)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

bald head

From qarach; bald (on the back of the head) -- bald (head).

see HEBREW qarach

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from 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 Context

The 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.
2. Dignity of the body. By labeling the bald man “clean,” the law articulates that natural aging or hereditary hair loss is no defilement. Creation’s goodness (Genesis 1:31) extends even to changing physical appearance.
3. Pastoral precedent. Contemporary ministry can glean from the text a call to resist attaching spiritual blame to unavoidable physical traits, honoring every believer as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

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).
2. Judgment follows irreverence. Two female bears tear forty-two of the youths (2 Kings 2:24), underscoring Proverbs 17:5: “He who mocks the poor insults his Maker.” Disrespect for God’s servants invites divine retribution.
3. Covenant faithfulness and warning. The episode illustrates Deuteronomy 27:16 (“Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother”), widening the family sphere to include spiritual fathers. It also anticipates New Testament admonitions such as Galatians 6:7.

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).
• Israel’s law refuses popular superstition by declaring ordinary baldness clean, thereby countering pagan associations that viewed bodily change as omen or curse.
• The youths of Bethel likely emerged from a city steeped in idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33). Their taunt “Go up” may allude to Elijah’s recent ascent, ridiculing any expectation that Elisha would share his predecessor’s heavenly vindication.

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).
2. Sanctity of God-ordained leadership. Elisha’s narrative forms part of a broader biblical pattern in which God defends His spokesmen (Numbers 16; Acts 5:1-11).
3. Eschatological hope. Baldness connected with mourning (Isaiah 15:2) contrasts with the promise that, in the resurrection, shame will be removed and every tear wiped away (Revelation 21:4). The believer’s future glory supersedes present bodily frailty.

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.
• Shepherd the aging. Churches should honor older saints whose appearance changes, reflecting Leviticus’ affirmation of their purity and value.
• Teach reverence. Families and congregations ought to cultivate respect for spiritual authority, pairing it with accountability, as modeled in Elisha’s ministry.

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 qêrêaḥ

Englishman'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
HEB: ל֔וֹ עֲלֵ֥ה קֵרֵ֖חַ עֲלֵ֥ה קֵרֵֽחַ׃
NAS: to him, Go up, you baldhead; go
KJV: unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up,
INT: and said Go baldhead go baldhead

2 Kings 2:23
HEB: קֵרֵ֖חַ עֲלֵ֥ה קֵרֵֽחַ׃
NAS: go up, you baldhead!
KJV: thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
INT: baldhead go baldhead

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7142
3 Occurrences

qê·rê·aḥ — 3 Occ.