What does כָּרָה (kā’ărî) mean in the Bible?
כָּרָה (kā’ărî): Digging action extends figuratively to plotting or scheming; opening implies penetrative action toward concealment or revelation.
Hebrew · H3738
כָּרָה
Properly, to dig ; figuratively, to plot ; generally, to bore or open
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
כָּרָהH3738
Pronunciationkā’ărî
What does כָּרָה (kā’ărî) mean in the Bible?
כָּרָה (kā’ărî): Digging action extends figuratively to plotting or scheming; opening implies penetrative action toward concealment or revelation.
Full entry for כָּרָה (H3738) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H3738?
The BSB source-word alignment has 14 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include they have dug (2), also dug (1), digs (1), digs up (1), have dug (1).
Where does כָּרָה (kā’ărî) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 26:25. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (5), Genesis (2), Jeremiah (2), Proverbs (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itthey have dug2×Jeremiah 18:20, Jeremiah 18:22
also dug1×Genesis 26:25
digs1×Exodus 21:33
digs up1×Proverbs 16:27
have dug1×Psalms 119:85
he had cut out1×2 Chronicles 16:14
He has dug1×Psalms 7:15
He who digs1×Proverbs 26:27
hollowed it out1×Numbers 21:18
I dug1×Genesis 50:5
is dug1×Psalms 94:13
They dug1×Psalms 57:6
You have opened1×Psalms 40:6
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 26:25וַיִּכְרוּ־toalso dugConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralGenesis 50:5כָּרִ֤יתִיtoI dugVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularExodus 21:33יִכְרֶ֥הtodigsVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 21:18כָּר֙וּהָ֙tohollowed it outVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | third person feminine singular2 Chronicles 16:14כָּֽרָה־tohe had cut outVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularPsalms 7:15כָּ֭רָֽהtoHe has dugVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularPsalms 40:6כָּרִ֣יתָtoYou have openedVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularPsalms 57:6כָּר֣וּtoThey dugVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralPsalms 94:13יִכָּרֶ֖הtois dugVerb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularPsalms 119:85כָּֽרוּ־tohave dugVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 26:25
Aligned rows14
Books represented7
Genesis2Exodus1Numbers12 Chronicles1Psalms5Proverbs2Jeremiah2
Source forms
וַיִּכְרוּ־1xway·yiḵ·rū-Genesis 26:25
יִכְרֶ֥ה1xyiḵ·rehExodus 21:33
יִכָּרֶ֖ה1xyik·kā·rehPsalms 94:13
כָּ֭רָֽה1xkā·rāhPsalms 7:15
כֹּרֶ֣ה1xkō·rehProverbs 16:27
כָּֽרָה־1xkā·rāh-2 Chronicles 16:14
כֹּֽרֶה־1xkō·re·hō·ša-Proverbs 26:27
כָר֥וּ1xḵā·rūJeremiah 18:20
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural4xPsalms 57:6, Psalms 119:85, Jeremiah 18:20, Jeremiah 18:22
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2xProverbs 16:27, Proverbs 26:27
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular2x2 Chronicles 16:14, Psalms 7:15
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xGenesis 26:25
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xPsalms 94:13
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xExodus 21:33
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular1xGenesis 50:5
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular1xPsalms 40:6
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Digging action extends figuratively to plotting or scheming; opening implies penetrative action toward concealment or revelation.
Strong'sH3738
Lexical occurrences17 versesWord forms2 forms13 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkPsalms 22:12–18Source Gloss
properly, to dig ; figuratively, to plot ; generally, to bore or open
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Digging action extends figuratively to plotting or scheming; opening implies penetrative action toward concealment or revelation.
properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open BDB: bore Usage: dig, × make (a banquet), open.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms13
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense12×
PerfectJer 18:20 · Jer 18:22 · Ps 57:7 · Ps 119:85 · 2Chr 16:14 · Ps 7:16 · Gen 50:5 · Ps 40:78×
Participle activeProv 16:27 · Prov 26:272×
ImperfectExod 21:33 · Job 40:302×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action1×
ImperfectPs 94:131×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
Trad: 'like a lion'; variant/LXX: 'they pierced' or 'they dug'; refers to the violent binding or piercing of the extremities
Showing 1 selected witness from 17 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
כָּרָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.