קָרַח
qa.rach (H7139)
to make bald
AI Word Study
# Qārach (קָרַח): The Hebrew Verb for Baldness The Hebrew verb qārach literally means "to make bald" and appears five times in the biblical text. It is a verb of physical transformation, describing the action of removing hair or causing baldness. The verb's direct meaning—to strip the head of hair—indicates a concrete, observable action rather than an abstract concept. With only five occurrences across the entire Bible, qārach is a relatively uncommon word, suggesting it was used in specific contexts rather than as a frequent or everyday term. The limited frequency indicates that baldness as a topic, or the action of making oneself or another bald, held particular significance in certain biblical narratives or laws rather than being a matter of general concern. Without access to the specific contexts in which these five instances appear, the data permits only this basic lexical observation: the word denotes a physical action with clear semantic boundaries. Its rarity in biblical literature suggests it was deployed purposefully when invoked, likely in connection with specific practices, prohibitions, or conditions described in the biblical record.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
“ ‘They shall not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards or make any cuttings in their flesh.
Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried. Men won’t lament for them, cut themselves, or make themselves bald for them.
They will make themselves bald for you, and clothe themselves with sackcloth. They will weep for you in bitterness of soul, with bitter mourning.
“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was worn; yet he had no wages, nor did his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it.
Shave your heads, and cut off your hair for the children of your delight. Enlarge your baldness like the vulture; for they have gone into captivity from you!