Encounter (To)

"to encounter, befall." Qara’ represents an intentional confrontation, whereby one person is immediately before another person. This might be a friendly confrontation, in which friend intentionally "meets" friend; so the kings of the valley came out to "meet" Abram upon his return from defeating the marauding army of Chedorlaomer (Gen 14:17). A host may go forth to "meet" a prospective ally (Josh 9:11; 2Sa 19:15). In cultic contexts, one "meets" God or "is met" by God (Exod 5:3).

Qara’ may also be used of hostile "confrontation." In military contexts, the word often represents the "confrontation" of two forces to do battle (Josh 8:5); so Israel is told: "Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel" is told: "Prepare verb infrequently may represent an "accidental meeting," so it is sometimes translated "befall" (Gen 42:4).