a collaterally form of חֶרֶב; drought or desolation; desolation, drought, dry, heat, [idiom] utterly, waste.
Transliteration:chôreb
Pronunciation:kho'-reb
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חֹרֶב (H2721, *chôreb*) primarily denotes "drought" or "desolation." Its semantic range encompasses various manifestations of dryness, barrenness, and ruin. As a "collateral form of חֶרֶב (H2719, "sword")," as stated in the base definition, it suggests a shared conceptual root related to cutting, severing, or making bare. Just as a sword brings destruction and makes something desolate, so too does חֹרֶב signify a state where life-giving elements are cut off, leading to barrenness and ruin.
Specifically, חֹרֶב can refer to:
* **Drought:** A severe lack of water, resulting in parched land, withered vegetation, and a general absence of moisture (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 28:22]], [[Haggai 1:11]]).
* **Heat:** Intense, scorching heat, often associated with the dry season (e.g., [[Genesis 31:40]], [[Isaiah 4:6]]).
* **Dryness/Witheredness:** A state of being dry, as in a fleece without dew (e.g., [[Judges 6:37]]).
* **Desolation/Waste:** A ruined or uninhabited place, a wasteland, often the result of destruction or abandonment (e.g., [[Isaiah 17:9]], [[Isaiah 34:10]]).
The word thus paints a picture of a landscape, or even a soul, that has been deprived of vitality, leaving it barren, parched, and empty.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
חֹרֶב appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible, illustrating its diverse applications:
* **Natural Phenomenon:** In [[Genesis 31:40]], Jacob recounts enduring "the heat by day and the frost by night," where חֹרֶב describes the oppressive daytime heat. Similarly, [[Isaiah 4:6]] promises a shelter from the "heat" (חֹרֶב), indicating its common understanding as a harsh environmental condition.
* **Divine Judgment:** The word frequently appears in contexts of divine judgment, particularly as a consequence for Israel's disobedience. [[Deuteronomy 28:22]] lists "drought" (חֹרֶב) as one of the curses for covenant unfaithfulness. The prophet Haggai declares, "I called for a drought (חֹרֶב) on the land and on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on men and cattle, and on all the toil of your hands" ([[Haggai 1:11]]). Here, חֹרֶב is a direct act of God to withhold blessing due to the people's misplaced priorities.
* **Spiritual Condition/Figurative Use:** In [[Psalm 32:4]], David laments, "my moisture was turned into the drought (חֹרֶב) of summer," describing the debilitating physical and spiritual effects of unconfessed sin. This metaphorical usage highlights the internal barrenness and distress caused by separation from God.
* **Physical Desolation:** חֹרֶב describes places laid waste or left desolate. [[Isaiah 17:9]] speaks of cities becoming "like the forsaken places" (חֹרֶב) of the forest, signifying utter ruin. [[Isaiah 34:10]] prophesies that Edom's land "shall be waste (חֹרֶב) from generation to generation," emphasizing its perpetual desolation. [[Jeremiah 17:6]] likens the one who trusts in man to a "shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come, but shall dwell in the parched places (חֹרֶב) in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited." This imagery powerfully conveys barrenness and a lack of life.
* **Specific Event:** In [[Judges 6:37]], Gideon's fleece is described as "dry" (חֹרֶב) while the ground is wet, demonstrating a miraculous reversal of natural conditions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of חֹרֶב (H2721) is rich with terms related to dryness, desolation, and ruin.
* חֶרֶב (H2719, *ḥereb*): "Sword." As noted in the base definition, חֹרֶב is a collateral form. This connection suggests a shared root idea of something being "cut off" or "laid bare." A sword cuts to destroy, leading to desolation, much as drought cuts off water, leading to barrenness.
* חָרֵב (H2717, *ḥārēb*): The verbal root meaning "to be dry, waste, desolate." This is the foundational verb from which חֹרֶב (H2721) is derived, indicating a state of being dried up or ruined.
* חָרָבָה (H2722, *ḥārābāh*): A noun meaning "dry ground, waste land." This is another derivative from the same root, emphasizing the physical manifestation of dryness and desolation.
* יָבֵשׁ (H3001, *yābēsh*): "To be dry, withered." This verb often describes the drying up of water or the wilting of plants.
* צִיָּה (H6723, *tsiyyah*): "Dry land, desert, wilderness." A common term for arid, uninhabited regions.
* שָׁמָמָה (H8077, *shāmāmāh*): "Desolation, waste, astonishment." This word often describes the ruin of cities or lands, frequently as a result of divine judgment.
Together, these words paint a comprehensive picture of the consequences of a lack of life-sustaining elements, whether water, inhabitants, or divine favor.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חֹרֶב is profound, largely centered on its association with divine judgment and the consequences of sin.
* **Divine Judgment and Covenant:** חֹרֶב is a powerful symbol of God's disciplinary action against a disobedient people. In the Mosaic covenant, rain and fertility were promised blessings for obedience, while drought and desolation were explicit curses for disobedience ([[Deuteronomy 28:12]], [[Deuteronomy 28:22]]). God's ability to bring חֹרֶב demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over creation and His faithfulness to His covenant, whether in blessing or in judgment.
* **Consequence of Sin:** The physical barrenness and ruin represented by חֹרֶב often serve as a tangible manifestation of the spiritual desolation that results from turning away from God. Just as the land becomes unproductive without rain, so too does the human heart and society become spiritually barren when separated from the life-giving presence of the Creator.
* **Spiritual Dryness:** The metaphorical use of חֹרֶב in [[Psalm 32:4]] highlights the internal "drought" experienced by one burdened by unconfessed sin. It speaks to a lack of spiritual vitality, joy, and peace, emphasizing the need for repentance and restoration to God's presence, the ultimate source of life and refreshment.
* **Contrast with Blessing:** The concept of חֹרֶב stands in stark contrast to the abundant life and fertility that God provides when His people walk in righteousness. It underscores the preciousness of God's blessings and the dire consequences of forfeiting them through rebellion.
### Summary
חֹרֶב (H2721, *chôreb*) is a potent Hebrew word signifying both physical "drought" and "desolation." Derived from a root conveying the idea of being dried up or laid waste, it describes a state of barrenness, ruin, and a profound lack of life. Biblically, it frequently appears as a natural phenomenon, a descriptor of physical ruin, and most significantly, as an instrument of divine judgment against disobedience, as seen in [[Haggai 1:11]] and [[Deuteronomy 28:22]]. Its metaphorical use, as in [[Psalm 32:4]], extends its meaning to describe a state of spiritual dryness caused by sin. Theologically, חֹרֶב underscores God's sovereignty, the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, and the spiritual barrenness that results from separation from the life-giving God. It serves as a stark reminder of the vital connection between obedience and divine blessing, and the desolation that accompanies rebellion.
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