from חָרַב; desolate; Choreb, a (generic) name for the Sinaitic mountains; Horeb.
Transliteration:Chôrêb
Pronunciation:kho-rabe'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word חֹרֵב (Chôrêb) `{{H2722}}` is derived from the root חָרַב (charab) `{{H2717}}`, which carries the primary meaning of "to be dry," "to be desolate," "to lay waste," or "to be in ruins." Consequently, the inherent meaning of חֹרֵב points to a place characterized by desolation, dryness, or a barren, desert-like environment. However, its most prominent usage in the biblical text is as a proper noun, "Horeb," referring specifically to a significant mountain or mountain range in the Sinai Peninsula. Even as a proper noun, the underlying semantic sense of "desolate" or "dry" likely informs the name, aptly describing the geographical nature of the region. It is often considered a generic or alternative name for Mount Sinai, the site of the giving of the Law.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Horeb appears primarily in the Pentateuch and later prophetic books, consistently identified with the mountain where God revealed Himself to Moses and delivered the Law to Israel.
* In [[Exodus 3:1]], Moses leads his flock to "the mountain of God, Horeb," where he encounters the burning bush and receives his divine commission to lead Israel out of Egypt. This initial encounter establishes Horeb as a place of profound divine presence.
* [[Exodus 17:6]] records God instructing Moses to strike the rock at Horeb to provide water for the thirsty Israelites, demonstrating divine provision in a desolate environment.
* The book of Deuteronomy frequently refers to the giving of the Law as occurring "at Horeb" (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 1:2]], [[Deuteronomy 4:10]], [[Deuteronomy 5:2]], [[Deuteronomy 9:8]], [[Deuteronomy 18:16]]). This frequent usage, often where Exodus uses "Sinai," suggests that Horeb is either synonymous with Sinai or a broader term encompassing the entire mountain range, with Sinai being a specific peak within it. The emphasis in Deuteronomy is on the covenant established there.
* [[1 Kings 8:9]] mentions the two tablets of stone placed in the Ark of the Covenant, which Moses put there "at Horeb," reinforcing its identity as the sacred place of the Law's reception.
* Significantly, [[1 Kings 19:8]] describes the prophet Elijah traveling for forty days and forty nights to "Horeb, the mountain of God," to encounter the Lord. This journey echoes Moses' forty-day sojourn on the mountain and signifies Horeb as a enduring locus of profound divine revelation and prophetic encounter.
* [[Psalm 106:19]] recalls the sin of the golden calf made "at Horeb," highlighting Israel's rebellion even in the immediate presence of God's manifest glory.
* Finally, [[Malachi 4:4]] (or [[Malachi 3:22]] in some translations) calls the people to remember the Law of Moses given "at Horeb," underscoring its enduring authority and significance for future generations.
The consistent association of Horeb with divine revelation, covenant, law-giving, and significant prophetic encounters underscores its pivotal role in Israel's history and theology as a place of both terrifying holiness and gracious divine provision.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **חָרַב (charab) `{{H2717}}`**: The verbal root from which Horeb is derived, meaning "to be dry, desolate, waste." This etymological connection emphasizes the physical characteristics of the mountain region.
* **סִינַי (Sinai) `{{H5514}}`**: Often used interchangeably with Horeb, particularly in Exodus and Leviticus. While scholarly debate exists regarding whether they refer to the exact same peak or if Horeb is the broader range and Sinai a specific peak within it, biblically they represent the same sacred location for the giving of the Law.
* **מִדְבָּר (midbar) `{{H4057}}`**: "Wilderness, desert." Horeb is situated within the wilderness, and its name reflects the desolate nature of this environment. The wilderness itself is a place of testing, divine provision, and spiritual formation.
* **הַר הָאֱלֹהִים (har ha'elohim)**: "The mountain of God." This descriptive phrase is explicitly applied to Horeb/Sinai, indicating its sacred status as the preeminent site of divine presence and revelation.
* **בְּרִית (berit) `{{H1285}}`**: "Covenant." Horeb is the primary location for the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant, the foundational agreement between God and the nation of Israel.
* **תּוֹרָה (Torah) `{{H8451}}`**: "Law, instruction." The Torah was given at Horeb, making it the ultimate source of Israel's divine instruction and moral framework.
### Theological Significance
Horeb holds profound theological significance within the biblical narrative:
* **Theophany and Revelation**: Horeb is preeminently the mountain of God's self-revelation. From the burning bush to the awe-inspiring display of thunder, lightning, and fire during the giving of the Law, it is a place where the transcendent God draws near to humanity. It signifies the terrifying yet majestic nature of divine holiness and power.
* **Covenant and Law**: It is the birthplace of the Mosaic Covenant, the foundational relationship between Yahweh and Israel. The giving of the Law at Horeb established Israel as a distinct people, bound to God by divine statutes and ordinances. This highlights God's desire for a structured, moral, and exclusive relationship with His chosen people.
* **Divine Provision and Sustenance**: Despite its desolate nature, Horeb is also a place where God miraculously provides water and sustains His people. This underscores God's faithfulness and ability to provide for His people even in the most barren and challenging circumstances.
* **Testing and Rebellion**: Horeb also serves as a stark reminder of Israel's propensity for rebellion, exemplified by the golden calf incident. It demonstrates that even in the immediate presence of God's manifest glory, human sinfulness and idolatry persist, necessitating divine judgment and grace.
* **Prophetic Continuity**: Elijah's journey to Horeb signifies a return to the foundational place of Israel's faith, seeking renewed divine instruction and commissioning. It suggests that Horeb remains a locus of divine encounter for future generations and prophetic figures, a place where God continues to speak to His servants.
* The duality of its name (desolate yet sacred) mirrors the paradox of God's presence: terrifyingly holy yet graciously accessible.
### Summary
חֹרֵב (Chôrêb) `{{H2722}}`, or Horeb, is a Hebrew proper noun derived from a root meaning "to be desolate" or "dry." It functions as a generic or alternative name for the Sinaitic mountains, a region characterized by its arid nature. Biblically, Horeb is the pivotal location where God manifested His presence to Moses in the burning bush [[Exodus 3:1]], where He provided water from a rock [[Exodus 17:6]], and most significantly, where He delivered the Law and established the covenant with Israel [[Deuteronomy 4:10]], [[Deuteronomy 5:2]]. It is frequently used interchangeably with Sinai `{{H5514}}`, underscoring its identity as "the mountain of God." Beyond the Pentateuch, Horeb resurfaces as a place of profound divine encounter for the prophet Elijah [[1 Kings 19:8]] and is invoked in prophetic calls to remember the enduring authority of the Law [[Malachi 4:4]]. Theologically, Horeb represents the awe-inspiring locus of divine revelation, the establishment of God's covenant with His people, and a site of both miraculous provision and human rebellion. Its name subtly hints at the challenging yet sacred environment where God chose to reveal His character and will.
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