### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun הֲרֵגָה (hărêgâh), Strong's number `{{H2028}}`, is a feminine form derived from the verbal root הָרַג (harag), meaning "to kill, slay, murder." Its base definition is "slaughter." While closely related to its masculine counterpart הֶרֶג (hereg) `{{H2027}}`, which also signifies "slaughter" or "killing," הֲרֵגָה specifically denotes the act or result of a large-scale, violent killing. The term carries a strong connotation of decisive and often devastating loss of life, typically in the context of battle or mass violence. It is not a generic term for all forms of killing but points to a significant, calamitous event involving widespread fatalities.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term הֲרֵגָה (hărêgâh) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, yet its limited occurrences are highly impactful, primarily found in the book of 2 Chronicles:
* **[[2 Chronicles 28:5]]**: "Therefore the Lord his God gave him into the hand of the king of Syria. And they struck him, and carried away a great multitude of his people captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also given into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great slaughter (הֲרֵגָה)." Here, הֲרֵגָה describes the catastrophic defeat of King Ahaz of Judah by Pekah, king of Israel. The context emphasizes the divine hand in this defeat, linking the "great slaughter" to God's judgment.
* **[[2 Chronicles 28:6]]**: "For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah one hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. This was a great slaughter (הֲרֵגָה)." This verse immediately follows and quantifies the "great slaughter" mentioned in the previous verse. It provides a staggering number of casualties (120,000 valiant men) and explicitly states the reason for this calamity: Judah's forsaking the Lord. The repetition of הֲרֵגָה underscores the severity and the punitive nature of the event, directly attributing it to divine retribution for Judah's apostasy.
These occurrences demonstrate that הֲרֵגָה is reserved for particularly devastating and divinely sanctioned or permitted acts of mass killing, serving as a consequence of unfaithfulness to God.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **הָרַג (harag)**: The fundamental verbal root from which הֲרֵגָה is derived, meaning "to kill, slay, murder." This root establishes the core concept of violent death.
* **הֶרֶג (hereg)** `{{H2027}}`: The masculine noun, often translated as "slaughter" or "killing." While הֲרֵגָה is its feminine counterpart, both terms convey the idea of mass killing. The feminine form might subtly emphasize the *event* or *result* of the slaughter as a distinct occurrence.
* **טֶבַח (ṭevaḥ)** `{{H2874}}`: Another significant Hebrew term for "slaughter," often used for the killing of animals for food or sacrifice ([[Proverbs 7:22]]), but also for violent human slaughter ([[Isaiah 34:2]]). While טֶבַח can encompass both animal and human killing, הֲרֵגָה appears more exclusively focused on human casualties in conflict, particularly those of a calamitous scale.
* **מַכָּה (makkah)** `{{H4347}}`: Meaning "blow, wound, plague, defeat." This term often describes the *effect* or *outcome* of a battle or divine judgment, including significant casualties. While related in context, מַכָּה emphasizes the "striking" or "blow" that leads to injury or death, whereas הֲרֵגָה focuses on the act and result of the "killing" itself.
* **Divine Judgment**: The biblical contexts of הֲרֵגָה are inextricably linked to the concept of divine judgment. This connects it to broader theological themes of covenant curses and the consequences of sin and apostasy.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of הֲרֵגָה is profoundly tied to the concept of divine judgment and the outworking of God's covenant with Israel. In 2 Chronicles, the "great slaughter" is not presented as a random act of war but as a direct, divinely ordained consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness and forsaking of the Lord. This underscores several critical theological principles:
* **Consequences of Apostasy**: The term highlights the severe and devastating consequences that can befall a people who turn away from God's covenant and commandments. It serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of disobedience.
* **God's Sovereignty in History**: Even amidst the chaos of warfare and human suffering, הֲרֵגָה points to God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death and His active involvement in the historical affairs of His people. The slaughter is not merely a military defeat but a manifestation of divine discipline.
* **Justice and Righteousness**: The use of הֲרֵגָה in these contexts affirms God's justice and righteousness. While the scale of death is immense, it is portrayed as a just recompense for sin, demonstrating that God holds His people accountable for their actions.
* **Call to Repentance**: Implicit in such severe judgments is a call to repentance and a return to faithfulness. The recounting of הֲרֵגָה serves as a cautionary tale for future generations.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun הֲרֵגָה (hărêgâh) `{{H2028}}` signifies a "slaughter," specifically denoting a large-scale, violent act of killing, most prominently within a military context. Derived from the root הָרַג (harag), "to kill," it is the feminine counterpart to הֶרֶג `{{H2027}}`. Its infrequent but powerful appearances in the Hebrew Bible, notably in [[2 Chronicles 28:5]] and [[2 Chronicles 28:6]], describe catastrophic losses of life, such as the 120,000 valiant men of Judah. Critically, these instances are explicitly presented as acts of divine judgment, directly attributable to Judah's forsaking the Lord. The theological significance of הֲרֵגָה therefore lies in its potent portrayal of the severe consequences of disobedience and apostasy, underscoring God's righteous judgment and His sovereign hand in the historical outworking of His covenant with His people. It stands as a solemn reminder of the gravity of turning away from the Lord.
TRV