or חָרֻץ; passive participle of חָרַץ; properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; also eager; decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.
Transliteration:chărûwts
Pronunciation:khaw-roots'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2742}}` (חֲרוּץ, *chărûwts*) is a passive participle derived from the root `{{H2782}}` (חָרַץ, *charats*), which fundamentally means "to cut," "to sharpen," "to incise," or "to decide/determine." As a passive participle, chărûwts therefore conveys the sense of something that has been "cut," "sharpened," "incised," or "decided/determined."
This core meaning branches into a rich semantic range:
1. **Physical Objects:**
* **"Trench" or "Moat":** Something that is dug or cut into the ground.
* **"Gold":** Specifically "fine gold" or "pure gold." This meaning likely stems from the process of mining (cutting from the earth) or refining (cutting away impurities to achieve sharpness/purity of metal). Its value is also "sharp" or "decisive" in economic terms.
* **"Threshing Sledge/Instrument":** An implement used for threshing grain, characterized by sharp teeth or edges that cut and separate the grain from the straw.
* **"Pointed Things" or "Sharp":** A direct reflection of the root's meaning of sharpness.
* **"Wall":** Potentially referring to a fortified wall, perhaps implying something decisively built or a boundary.
2. **Abstract Concepts (Figurative):**
* **"Determination," "Eagerness," "Diligence":** This denotes a sharp, decisive, and resolute quality of character or action. A "diligent" person is one who acts with focused intent and precision, cutting through obstacles.
* **"Decision":** Directly related to the root's meaning of making a firm judgment or decree.
The versatility of chărûwts lies in its ability to describe both tangible objects with sharp or defined characteristics and intangible qualities of resolve and precision.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H2742}}` appears in various contexts, illuminating its diverse meanings:
* **"Gold" / "Fine Gold":** This is a prominent usage, emphasizing the preciousness and purity of the metal.
* In [[Psalm 68:13]], it describes "wings of a dove covered with silver, its feathers with fine gold," depicting beauty and value.
* [[Proverbs 3:14]], [[Proverbs 8:10]], and [[Proverbs 16:16]] repeatedly compare wisdom, understanding, and instruction to chărûwts (fine gold), highlighting their surpassing value over material wealth.
* [[Zechariah 9:3]] mentions Tyre building herself a stronghold and piling up "silver like dust and fine gold like the dirt of the streets," indicating immense wealth. In these contexts, chărûwts signifies the highest quality and most valuable form of gold, likely due to its refined, "cut-out" purity.
* **"Threshing Instrument" / "Threshing Sledge":** This refers to an agricultural tool with sharp teeth.
* [[Isaiah 28:27]] describes various methods of threshing, noting that "a threshing sledge" (חֲרוּץ) is used for black cummin.
* [[Amos 1:3]] condemns Damascus for threshing Gilead "with instruments of iron" (בְּחָרוּצוֹת הַבַּרְזֶל), literally "with threshing sledges of iron," conveying a sense of brutal, sharp oppression. Here, the sharp, cutting nature of the instrument is central to the imagery of violence.
* **"Diligence" / "Diligent":** This abstract meaning describes a quality of character marked by decisive effort.
* [[Proverbs 10:4]] contrasts "a slack hand" with "the hand of the diligent" (חֲרוּץ), which "makes rich."
* [[Proverbs 12:27]] states, "The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man (חֲרוּץ) is precious possessions." (Some translations vary, but the sense of diligence is consistent).
* [[Proverbs 13:4]] asserts, "The soul of the diligent (חֲרוּצִים) will be made fat."
* [[Proverbs 21:5]] states, "The plans of the diligent (חָרוּץ) lead surely to abundance." In these Proverbs, chărûwts describes a person who acts with focused, determined, and effective effort, akin to a sharp tool that accomplishes its task.
* **"Trench" / "Moat":**
* [[Daniel 9:25]] prophesies the rebuilding of Jerusalem "with square and moat" (וְחָרוּץ), referring to a defensive trench or moat dug around the city, a clear application of the "cut" or "dug" meaning.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H2742}}` is deeply interconnected with its root and other related terms:
* **Root `{{H2782}}` (חָרַץ, *charats*):** The primary root, meaning "to cut, sharpen, decide, decree." This foundational meaning underpins all uses of chărûwts. For example, a "decision" is a "cutting off" of other options, a definitive choice.
* **Derivatives of `{{H2782}}`:**
* `{{H2785}}` (חֶרֶץ, *cherets*): A noun meaning "a cutting instrument" or "sharp tool." This directly reinforces the "sharp" aspect of chărûwts.
* `{{H2784}}` (חַרְצַן, *chartzan*): Meaning "grape-seed," possibly referring to something "cut out" or "separated" from the fruit.
* **Words for "Gold":**
* `{{H2091}}` (זָהָב, *zahab*): The most common and general term for gold. chărûwts often specifies "fine" or "pure" gold, indicating a higher quality or refined state compared to general zahab.
* `{{H6031}}` (אוֹפִיר, *'ôphîr*): Refers to gold from the region of Ophir, renowned for its high quality.
* **Words for "Diligence" / "Laziness":**
* **Synonyms for Diligence:** Concepts such as `{{H2428}}` (חַיִל, *chayil*, strength, valor, efficiency) and `{{H5998}}` (עָמָל, *'amal*, toil, labor, though often with negative connotations).
* **Antonyms for Diligence:** `{{H6102}}` (עָצֵל, *'atsel*, lazy, sluggish), which is frequently contrasted with chărûwts in Proverbs.
* **Words for "Decision" / "Decree":**
* `{{H1697}}` (דָּבָר, *dabar*): Can mean "word," "matter," or "decree."
* `{{H2706}}` (חֹק, *choq*): A "statute" or "decree," something firmly established.
The root charats itself can mean "to decree," implying a firm, unalterable decision.
### Theological Significance
The various facets of `{{H2742}}` contribute to several key theological insights:
1. **Divine Wisdom and Value:** The frequent comparison of wisdom and understanding to "fine gold" (chărûwts) in Proverbs elevates spiritual and intellectual virtues above material wealth. This underscores a biblical worldview where divine instruction and insightful living are of ultimate, enduring value, reflecting God's own perfect wisdom, which is beyond price. The "purity" of chărûwts gold can also symbolize the purity required in spiritual pursuits and the refining process God uses in the lives of His people.
2. **God's Decisive Action and Judgment:** The root meaning of "to decide" and the imagery of the "threshing instrument" point to God's sovereign and decisive action in history and judgment. Just as a threshing sledge sharply separates wheat from chaff, God's judgments are precise and effective in distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked. This reflects a God who is not ambivalent but acts with clear purpose and determination.
3. **Human Responsibility and Virtue:** The concept of "diligence" as chărûwts is a highly valued virtue in the wisdom literature. It speaks to the human responsibility to apply oneself with focused effort and determination in stewardship, work, and moral conduct. This diligence is portrayed not merely as a means to material prosperity but as a quality blessed by God, reflecting a character that is sharp, purposeful, and productive, in contrast to the sluggishness of the lazy. It suggests that a life lived with chărûwts reflects a commitment to God's call for active and responsible living.
### Summary
`{{H2742}}` (חֲרוּץ, *chărûwts*) is a multi-faceted Hebrew term derived from the root `{{H2782}}` "to cut, sharpen, decide." Its core meaning encompasses the idea of something "incised," "sharpened," or "decided." This gives rise to a rich semantic range, including physical objects like "fine gold" (something refined and pure), a "threshing sledge" (a sharp instrument for separation), and a "trench" (something dug or cut). Figuratively, it denotes "diligence," "determination," and "decision," representing a sharp, focused, and resolute quality of character or action. Theologically, chărûwts highlights the surpassing value of divine wisdom, God's decisive and precise judgment in separating and refining, and the blessed virtue of human diligence and purposeful living. It is a word that powerfully conveys precision, value, and resolute action in the biblical narrative.
TRV