### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun *hereç* (`{{H2041}}`) is derived from the verbal root *haras* (`{{H2040}}`), which fundamentally means "to tear down," "to break down," "to demolish," "to overthrow," or "to destroy." As a noun, *hereç* denotes the *act* or *result* of this demolition, signifying "demolition," "destruction," or "ruin." Its semantic range encompasses the complete dismantling or breaking apart of something, leaving it in a state of desolation. It implies a forceful and often violent reduction to rubble or a state of brokenness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *hereç* (`{{H2041}}`) appears only once in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible:
* **Job 30:24:** "Surely against a heap of ruins (בְּהֶרֶס) one will not stretch out a hand, when they cry out in their destruction."
* In this sole occurrence, *hereç* (`{{H2041}}`) is found in the phrase *bəhereç* (בְּהֶרֶס), typically translated as "at a heap of ruins" or "in their destruction." Job, in his profound lament, describes his utterly desolate state, contrasting it with his former prosperity. The "heap of ruins" symbolizes the complete and utter destruction of his life as he knew it—his health, wealth, family, and social standing. The verse is challenging due to its poetic ambiguity, but the core meaning of *hereç* as a state of absolute ruin and brokenness remains clear. It refers to a condition so dire and pitiable that it should evoke compassion rather than further harm. Job's use of the word emphasizes the extreme nature of his suffering, where all that was once stable and secure has been reduced to rubble.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **H2040 (הָרַס - *haras*):** This is the foundational verbal root from which *hereç* (`{{H2041}}`) is derived. *Haras* is frequently used throughout the Hebrew Bible to describe the active process of tearing down, whether it be physical structures like city walls (e.g., [[Jeremiah 1:10]], [[2 Kings 25:10]]), altars (e.g., [[Judges 6:28]]), or even abstract concepts like covenants or nations. The noun *hereç* represents the *outcome* or *state* resulting from the action of *haras*.
* **H4178 (מַהֲרֵסָה - *mahareçah*):** Another noun derived from the same root *haras*, meaning "destruction" or "breaking down." It appears in passages like [[Proverbs 18:7]], where the mouth of a fool is described as a "destruction" (*mahareçah*) to himself, highlighting the destructive power of words or actions.
* **Antonyms/Contrasting Concepts:** The concept of *hereç* (destruction) stands in stark contrast to words signifying "building" (בָּנָה - *banah* `{{H1129}}`) or "planting" (נָטַע - *nata* `{{H5193}}`). This antithesis is famously seen in prophetic calls for judgment and restoration, such as in [[Jeremiah 1:10]], where God appoints Jeremiah "to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
### Theological Significance
The singular use of *hereç* (`{{H2041}}`) in [[Job 30:24]] is profoundly significant for understanding the biblical portrayal of extreme suffering and the human response to it.
* **The Depth of Desolation:** *Hereç* encapsulates the utter devastation that can befall a person. Job's lament uses this word to convey a state of complete ruin, where not only external circumstances but also internal peace and dignity have been shattered. It speaks to the existential brokenness that suffering can inflict, reducing one's life to a "heap of ruins."
* **A Plea for Compassion:** The rhetorical question in [[Job 30:24]] ("Surely against a heap of ruins one will not stretch out a hand, when they cry out in their destruction?") serves as a powerful appeal for empathy and restraint. It suggests that even in the most abject state of ruin, human dignity demands that further harm cease and that a measure of compassion be extended. This implicitly points to a divine standard of justice and mercy, even for the most broken and afflicted. It highlights a universal human expectation that even the utterly destroyed should not be subjected to further torment.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Suffering:** Within the broader narrative of Job, the state of *hereç* is ultimately understood within the framework of divine sovereignty. While human agents or natural disasters may be the immediate cause, the book of Job explores how such profound suffering is permitted or orchestrated by God for His purposes. Thus, *hereç* becomes a descriptor of a human condition that prompts deep theological reflection on the nature of God's justice, His mysterious ways, and the endurance of faith amidst seemingly insurmountable destruction.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun *hereç* (`{{H2041}}`), derived from the verb *haras* (`{{H2040}}`) meaning "to demolish" or "to destroy," denotes "demolition" or "destruction." Its singular occurrence in the Hebrew Bible, found in [[Job 30:24]], vividly describes a "heap of ruins" or a state of complete desolation. In Job's lament, *hereç* powerfully conveys the profound depth of his suffering and the utter brokenness of his life. The word underscores the concept of complete dismantling and ruin, portraying the devastating effects of misfortune. Theologically, its use in Job highlights the extreme nature of human suffering, implicitly calls for compassion towards those in utter ruin, and places the experience of desolation within the broader context of divine sovereignty and the human quest for understanding God's ways amidst adversity. Though rare, *hereç* is a potent term for profound and comprehensive destruction.
TRV