from an unused (and vulgar) root probably meaning to evacuate the bowels; excrement; dung. Also חֲרִי.
Transliteration:chereʼ
Pronunciation:kheh'-reh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word חֶרֶא (chereʼ, `{{H2716}}`) derives from an unused root that is described as vulgar, implying a visceral and offensive meaning related to the evacuation of the bowels. Its core semantic range is "excrement" or "dung." This term denotes waste matter, something expelled from the body, inherently carrying connotations of impurity, worthlessness, and revulsion. The Strong's definition notes חֲרִי (chariy) as an alternative form, reinforcing the specific and crude nature of the word.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word חֶרֶא (chereʼ, `{{H2716}}`) appears in two parallel passages in the Hebrew Bible:
* [[2 Kings 18:27]]: During the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, Rabshakeh, the Assyrian general, attempts to demoralize the inhabitants by mocking them. He declares that if they do not surrender, they will be forced to "eat their own dung and drink their own urine." This statement is designed to elicit extreme fear and disgust, highlighting the dire conditions of a prolonged siege where basic necessities would be exhausted, leading to unspeakable acts of desperation.
* [[Isaiah 36:12]]: This passage is a direct parallel to [[2 Kings 18:27]], conveying the identical taunt from Rabshakeh. The use of *chereʼ* here serves the same purpose: to emphasize the ultimate degradation, humiliation, and suffering that awaited the people of Jerusalem if they resisted the Assyrians.
In both contexts, *chereʼ* is employed for its shock value, painting a vivid and grotesque picture of the lowest possible state of human existence. It underscores the extreme scarcity and depravity associated with siege warfare, where survival would necessitate consuming one's own waste, thereby stripping away all dignity and hope. The vulgarity of the term itself reflects the contempt of the speaker (Rabshakeh) for the besieged people.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H6675}}` צֹאָה (tso'ah):** This Hebrew term also means "excrement" or "filth" and is more frequently used in the Bible. While sharing the core meaning of waste, *tso'ah* can also be used metaphorically for moral impurity or defilement (e.g., [[Isaiah 4:4]]). *Chereʼ* seems to carry a more intense, visceral, and perhaps vulgar connotation than *tso'ah*.
* **`{{H1860}}` דֶּמֶן (demen):** This word refers to "dung" or "manure," often specifically animal dung. It is frequently associated with agricultural use or as a symbol of utter desolation and destruction (e.g., [[Psalm 83:10]]). While also excrement, its primary associations differ slightly from the human degradation implied by *chereʼ*.
* **Impurity (טָמֵא, tame'):** The concept of ritual and moral impurity is foundational in biblical thought. Excrement is inherently ritually impure, making its presence or consumption defiling. The use of *chereʼ* powerfully evokes this sense of defilement and abomination.
* **Degradation and Humiliation:** The word is intrinsically linked to the concepts of extreme degradation, humiliation, and the stripping away of human dignity. It represents the ultimate low point in human suffering.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *chereʼ* (`{{H2716}}`) is primarily derived from its stark portrayal of human vulnerability and the devastating consequences of war and divine judgment.
1. **Extreme Human Degradation:** The most prominent theological implication is the depiction of humanity reduced to its most abject state. In [[2 Kings 18:27]] and [[Isaiah 36:12]], the word serves as a shocking image of starvation and desperation, where basic human dignity is utterly lost. This highlights the fragility of human life and the severity of suffering under siege conditions.
2. **Symbol of Utter Defilement:** While not used in a ritual purity law, *chereʼ* inherently represents that which is utterly impure and abhorrent. Its mention underscores the complete defilement and moral degradation that such circumstances would entail, contrasting sharply with the biblical call to holiness and purity.
3. **Emphasizing Divine Deliverance:** Paradoxically, the extreme nature of the threat, vividly conveyed by the use of *chereʼ*, serves to magnify the subsequent divine intervention. The very idea that God's people faced such a horrific prospect makes Yahweh's deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians all the more miraculous and powerful. It underscores that only divine power could rescue them from such an inescapable and defiling fate.
4. **Consequences of Rebellion/Disobedience (Indirect):** From a broader theological perspective, the dire circumstances described by Rabshakeh could be understood as a potential consequence of covenant disobedience or a test of faith. The severity of the imagery underscores the gravity of the situation that God's people faced, prompting reflection on their relationship with God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *chereʼ* (`{{H2716}}`) signifies "excrement" or "dung," deriving from a root that conveys a vulgar and visceral sense of expulsion. Its limited but impactful biblical occurrences in [[2 Kings 18:27]] and [[Isaiah 36:12]] paint a grotesque picture of extreme human degradation and desperation during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. The word's raw, offensive nature underscores the depth of suffering, humiliation, and the contempt of the enemy. Theologically, *chereʼ* serves as a powerful symbol of ultimate human indignity and impurity. It highlights the dire consequences of conflict and the desperate conditions that can arise, thereby amplifying the significance of God's subsequent miraculous intervention and deliverance from such an abhorrent fate. While infrequent, its usage leaves an indelible impression of abject human misery.
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