מְקֵרָה
me.qe.rah
cool
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word מְקֵרָה (me.qe.rah) has a short definition of "cool." Based on its single attribute, this word likely conveys a feeling or state of being calm, tranquil, or free from heat. Its limited occurrences in the Bible (only 2) may indicate a specialized or technical usage. The word's meaning is tied to a physical sensation, which would have made it a valuable choice for ancient authors. It's easy to imagine the word being used to describe a welcome respite from the scorching desert sun. By focusing on this basic definition, we can avoid projecting modern interpretations onto the word's ancient usage. The significance of this word may lie in its ability to evoke a visceral response. In a world without air conditioning, the phrase "refreshing shade" or "cool breeze" would have held significant emotional resonance. This single word, me.qe.rah, has the power to transport us to a moment of peaceful reprieve, underscoring its importance in the Hebrew language.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text
Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God to you.” He arose out of his seat.
Judges 3:24After he had gone, his servants came and saw that the doors of the upper room were locked. They said, “Surely he is covering his feet in the upper room.”