(Aramaic) a root corresponding to חָרַב; to demolish; destroy.
Transliteration:chărab
Pronunciation:khar-ab'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb H2718 (חֲרַב, *chărab*) carries the fundamental meaning "to demolish" or "to destroy." Its definition explicitly states its correspondence to the Hebrew root `{{H2717}}` (חָרַב, *charab*), which similarly denotes a state of desolation, ruin, or being laid waste, and by extension, the act of causing such a state. The semantic range of H2718 thus encompasses the active process of bringing something to ruin, as well as the resulting condition of being desolate, waste, or destroyed. It implies a thorough and comprehensive devastation, rendering something uninhabitable or non-functional.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic verb H2718 appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in Ezra 4:15.
In this passage, the adversaries of Judah are writing to King Artaxerxes, attempting to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They argue: "that this city has been a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that rebellion has been stirred up in it from ancient times. That is why this city was laid waste." [[Ezra 4:15]]
The form used is חָרְבַת (*kharbat*), a pe'il perfect 3fs, indicating a passive action: "it was laid waste" or "it was destroyed." The context refers directly to the historical destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a catastrophic event that left the city in ruins. The adversaries present this past desolation as evidence of Jerusalem's inherently rebellious nature, using the word to describe the city's state of ruin as a consequence of its alleged historical defiance. This single occurrence powerfully encapsulates the concept of a city brought to utter desolation through destructive means, serving as a historical example and a warning.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct and significant related word to H2718 is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H2717}}` (חָרַב, *charab*). This Hebrew root is much more frequent and carries the same core meaning of "to be desolate," "to lie waste," or "to dry up." Derivatives of `{{H2717}}` include `{{H2719}}` (חֹרֶב, *chorev*), meaning "desolation" or "drought," and `{{H2723}}` (חָרְבָּה, *chorbah*), referring to a "ruined place" or "desolation." The Aramaic H2718 functions as the precise Aramaic equivalent, carrying the identical semantic weight of devastation and ruin. Other biblical words for destruction, such as `{{H8045}}` (שָׁמַד, *shamad*, "to destroy, exterminate") or `{{H7}}` (אָבַד, *abad*, "to perish, destroy"), often focus on the act of annihilation. While H2718 certainly implies such an act, its specific emphasis, particularly in its sole biblical occurrence, is on the resulting state of desolation and ruin, a "laid waste" condition.
### Theological Significance
Though appearing only once, the theological significance of H2718 in [[Ezra 4:15]] is profound. It describes the destruction of Jerusalem, an event consistently interpreted in the biblical narrative as divine judgment upon Israel for its covenant infidelity and rebellion. The "laying waste" of the city was not merely a historical catastrophe but a profound theological statement, fulfilling numerous prophetic warnings (e.g., in Jeremiah and Ezekiel). The adversaries' use of H2718 in Ezra highlights the severe consequences of rebellion against established authority, whether human or divine. While they employ it to justify their political machinations, the underlying truth it conveys is that Jerusalem's desolation was a direct outcome of its people's actions, understood within a framework of divine justice. The word thus speaks to themes of judgment, the consequences of sin, and the temporary nature of human structures when they stand in opposition to God's will. It underscores the biblical principle that disobedience can lead to utter ruin and desolation.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb H2718 (חֲרַב, *chărab*) signifies "to demolish" or "to destroy," with a particular emphasis on the resulting state of being "laid waste" or "desolate." It functions as the direct Aramaic equivalent to the Hebrew `{{H2717}}`. Its singular biblical occurrence in [[Ezra 4:15]] is highly significant, describing the historical destruction of Jerusalem as a consequence of its rebellious past. This usage underscores the severe outcomes of disobedience, linking the concept of physical desolation to divine judgment and the breakdown of order. The word, though rare, powerfully conveys the concept of comprehensive ruin brought about by deliberate destructive action, serving as a solemn reminder of accountability and consequence within the biblical narrative.
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