or הָרִי; (Hosea 14:1), from הָרָה; pregnant; (be, woman) with child, conceive, [idiom] great.
Transliteration:hâreh
Pronunciation:haw-reh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word הָרֶה (hâreh), Strong's `{{H2030}}`, is an adjective derived from the verbal root הָרָה (hârâh), Strong's `{{H2029}}`, which means "to conceive" or "to become pregnant." Its primary and most common meaning is "pregnant" or "with child." This refers specifically to the biological state of a female carrying a fetus. The Strong's definition also notes a variant form, הָרִי (hârî), specifically referencing [[Hosea 14:1]], and includes an idiomatic sense of "great." While the core meaning remains gestation, this secondary, less common nuance suggests a potential extension to concepts of fullness or abundance, though its primary usage in biblical texts firmly anchors it to the physical state of pregnancy.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word הָרֶה (hâreh) appears in several significant biblical contexts, consistently referring to the state of pregnancy, often with profound implications:
* **Genesis:** In [[Genesis 16:11]], an angel tells Hagar that she is "pregnant" (הָרֶה) and will bear a son, Ishmael, highlighting divine foreknowledge and the unfolding of God's plan. Similarly, in [[Genesis 38:24]], Tamar is declared "pregnant" (הָרֶה) by prostitution, leading to the birth of Perez and Zerah, ancestors in the lineage of Judah and ultimately David.
* **Exodus:** [[Exodus 21:22]] presents a legal case concerning harm to a "pregnant" (הָרֶה) woman, where the penalty depends on the outcome for the child. This verse is crucial for understanding the biblical view on the value of both the mother and the unborn child.
* **1 Samuel:** [[1 Samuel 4:19]] describes the tragic scene of Eli's daughter-in-law, who was "pregnant" (הָרֶה) and near delivery when she heard of the Ark's capture and her husband's death, leading to premature labor and her own death.
* **Isaiah:** This prophet uses הָרֶה in two notable ways. In [[Isaiah 7:14]], it forms the core of the famous prophecy: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and be "pregnant" (הָרֶה) and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This is a pivotal messianic text. In [[Isaiah 26:17]], the word is used metaphorically: "Like a "pregnant" (הָרֶה) woman, about to give birth, writhes and cries out in her pangs, so were we in your presence, O Lord." Here, it describes the anguish and hopeful expectation of Zion.
* **Jeremiah:** [[Jeremiah 20:17]] uses הָרֶה in a curse, reflecting the depth of the prophet's despair: "Because he did not kill me in the womb, so that my mother would have been my tomb, and her "pregnant" (הָרֶה) womb forever."
* **Hosea:** [[Hosea 13:16]] (often 14:1 in English Bibles) depicts a horrific judgment: "Their "pregnant" (הָרֶה) women will be ripped open." This graphic imagery underscores the severity of God's wrath against Samaria. The Strong's entry also notes the variant הָרִי in [[Hosea 14:1]] as potentially carrying the idiomatic sense of "great," though the primary usage in Hosea remains related to the state of pregnancy.
Across these occurrences, הָרֶה consistently refers to the physical state of gestation, often carrying profound implications for lineage, divine promise, legal status, or prophetic imagery of suffering and hope.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of הָרֶה (hâreh) is enriched by its connections to other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **Root Verb:** הָרָה (hârâh) `{{H2029}}` is the direct verbal root, meaning "to conceive" or "to become pregnant." הָרֶה is the adjectival form describing the state resulting from this action.
* **Child/Offspring:** Terms like יֶלֶד (yeled) `{{H3206}}` ("child") and בֵּן (ben) `{{H1121}}` ("son") are the natural outcome of the state of being הָרֶה.
* **Womb:** רֶחֶם (rechem) `{{H7358}}` refers to the physical organ where the state of הָרֶה occurs.
* **Birth/Labor:** The verb יָלַד (yalad) `{{H3205}}` signifies the act of giving birth, which follows the period of being הָרֶה.
* **Barrenness:** The concept of barrenness (e.g., עֲקָרָה, aqarah `{{H6135}}`) serves as a counterpoint, often highlighting God's miraculous power when He enables a previously barren woman to become הָרֶה.
* **Lineage and Covenant:** The state of pregnancy is intrinsically linked to the continuation of family lines, tribes, and the covenant promises made by God, particularly concerning the descendants of Abraham.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of הָרֶה (hâreh) is multifaceted and profound:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Life:** The ability to become הָרֶה is consistently presented as a gift from God. Narratives of barren women becoming pregnant (e.g., Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, Elizabeth in the New Testament) underscore God's miraculous power and control over life and fertility. He "opens" or "shuts" the womb, demonstrating His ultimate authority.
* **Fulfillment of Covenant and Promise:** The state of being הָרֶה is often a critical juncture in the unfolding of God's promises, particularly those related to the multiplication of Abraham's descendants and the establishment of a chosen nation. The births of Ishmael, Isaac, and Perez (through Tamar) are all tied to God's overarching plan for a lineage.
* **Sanctity of Life:** The legal provisions in [[Exodus 21:22]] regarding harm to a "pregnant" woman and her unborn child suggest a profound recognition of the value of life in the womb. While the interpretation of the precise legal implications varies, the text clearly indicates that causing harm to a pregnant woman and her fetus is a serious offense, underscoring a nascent biblical understanding of the sanctity of prenatal life.
* **Messianic Prophecy:** The most significant theological usage of הָרֶה is in [[Isaiah 7:14]], where the "virgin" (עַלְמָה, almah) is prophesied to become "pregnant" (הָרֶה) and bear Immanuel. This prophecy is foundational for Christian theology, pointing to the miraculous, virgin conception of Jesus Christ, marking a unique divine intervention in human history.
* **Metaphor for Suffering and Hope:** In prophetic literature, the imagery of a woman who is הָרֶה and in labor pains is a powerful metaphor for national suffering and tribulation, often preceding a period of deliverance or spiritual rebirth ([[Isaiah 26:17]]). Conversely, the horrific imagery of pregnant women being ripped open ([[Hosea 13:16]]) serves as a stark depiction of divine judgment and the brutality of war.
### Summary
The Hebrew word הָרֶה (hâreh) `{{H2030}}` primarily denotes the state of being "pregnant" or "with child," deriving from the verb "to conceive." While a rare idiomatic sense of "great" is noted, its consistent biblical usage centers on biological gestation. This seemingly straightforward term carries immense theological weight. It serves as a testament to God's sovereign power over life and fertility, often marking the fulfillment of divine promises and the continuation of covenantal lineages. Furthermore, it undergirds the biblical emphasis on the sanctity of life within the womb, as seen in legal statutes. Most profoundly, הָרֶה stands at the heart of messianic prophecy in [[Isaiah 7:14]], foretelling the miraculous conception of Immanuel. Thus, this word, while describing a common human condition, points to the miraculous, the sacred, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout salvation history.
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