from חֶרֶס (apparently in the sense of a red tile used for scraping); a potsherd, i.e. (by implication) a pottery; the name of a gate at Jerusalem; east.
Transliteration:charçûwth
Pronunciation:khar-sooth'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חַרְסוּת (charçûwth, `{{H2777}}`) is derived from the root חֶרֶס (cheres, `{{H2775}}`), which carries a dual semantic range encompassing both "sun" and "earthenware" or "potsherd." In the context of charçûwth, the latter meaning predominates, signifying a "potsherd" or a fragment of pottery. The Strong's definition further elaborates on this, suggesting a "red tile used for scraping," which evokes a practical, often humble, use for a broken piece of pottery, reminiscent of Job's use of a potsherd to scrape his boils ([[Job 2:8]]). Thus, the core meaning revolves around a discarded, broken, or fragmented piece of earthenware. Beyond this concrete noun, charçûwth also functions as a proper noun, designating a specific gate in Jerusalem, often translated as the "Potsherd Gate" or "East Gate," indicating its location or association with pottery refuse.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The primary and most significant biblical occurrence of חַרְסוּת (`{{H2777}}`) is found in the book of Jeremiah:
* **[[Jeremiah 19:2]]**: "And go forth to the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the Potsherd Gate, and proclaim there the words that I will tell you."
In this pivotal passage, the prophet Jeremiah is commanded by the Lord to go to a specific, highly symbolic location: the Valley of Hinnom, notorious for child sacrifice and idolatry, and specifically to the "Potsherd Gate" (often rendered "Gate of the Potsherds" or, less commonly, "East Gate" by some interpretations, though the "potsherd" meaning is more directly tied to the root). The context is a dramatic prophetic act where Jeremiah is to smash a potter's flask, symbolizing God's impending and irreversible judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah for their persistent idolatry and sin. The choice of the "Potsherd Gate" for this act is profoundly significant. It may have been a gate near a pottery manufacturing area or a refuse dump where broken pottery was discarded, making it a fitting backdrop for a prophecy of destruction and brokenness. The gate's name thus serves as an immediate visual and conceptual link to the message of divine wrath and the fragmentation of a once-whole nation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of חַרְסוּת (`{{H2777}}`) is enriched by its connection to several related Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **חֶרֶס (cheres, `{{H2775}}`)**: The root word, meaning "earthenware," "potsherd," or "sun." Its dual meaning highlights the fragility of clay vessels in contrast to the enduring sun, though in this context, the earthenware aspect is paramount.
* **יוֹצֵר (yotser, `{{H3335}}`)**: "Potter." This word is crucial for understanding the broader context of God's sovereignty over humanity, often depicted as the Potter shaping clay ([[Jeremiah 18:1-6]], [[Isaiah 64:8]]). The "potsherd" is the result of the potter's work, either whole or broken.
* **כֶּלִי (keli, `{{H3627}}`)**: "Vessel" or "utensil." This general term often refers to pottery vessels, emphasizing their function and potential for usefulness or destruction.
* **נֶבֶל (nevel, `{{H5035}}`)**: "Jar" or "flask." Specifically, the type of pottery vessel that Jeremiah is commanded to break in [[Jeremiah 19:1]].
* **Concepts of Fragility and Brokenness**: Pottery, by its nature, is fragile. A potsherd represents something broken, discarded, and seemingly worthless. This concept is frequently used in scripture to describe human vulnerability, the consequences of sin, and divine judgment.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: The potter's absolute authority over the clay is a powerful metaphor for God's sovereign right to create, shape, and, if necessary, break His creation, especially when it deviates from His purpose.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חַרְסוּת (`{{H2777}}`) is deeply embedded in its singular, dramatic appearance in [[Jeremiah 19]].
1. **Symbol of Irreversible Judgment**: The act of breaking the flask at the Potsherd Gate is a vivid, performative prophecy of God's decisive and irreversible judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. Just as a shattered potsherd cannot be mended or made whole again, so too would God break His people beyond repair due to their persistent rebellion and idolatry. This imagery underscores the finality and severity of divine wrath against unrepentant sin.
2. **Consequences of Idolatry and Sin**: The location, near the Valley of Hinnom, a place associated with the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice to Molech, amplifies the message. The "Potsherd Gate" becomes a symbolic threshold of divine condemnation, highlighting the defilement and spiritual brokenness resulting from turning away from God.
3. **Divine Sovereignty over Creation**: While charçûwth specifically refers to the *broken* vessel, its context immediately follows [[Jeremiah 18]], where the metaphor of the potter and the clay is expounded. God, as the divine Potter, has the right to reshape or even destroy a vessel that becomes marred in His hands. The potsherd, therefore, is a stark reminder that humanity, like clay, is utterly dependent on the Creator and subject to His righteous will and judgment.
4. **Human Vulnerability and Frailty**: The image of a potsherd also speaks to the inherent fragility of human existence. Without God's sustaining grace, humanity is like a broken, discarded fragment, vulnerable to destruction and without inherent worth. This serves as a call to humility and repentance.
### Summary
חַרְסוּת (`{{H2777}}`), meaning "potsherd" or "pottery fragment," serves as a potent symbol in the Hebrew Bible. Its most significant appearance is as the "Potsherd Gate" in [[Jeremiah 19:2]], a location chosen for Jeremiah's prophetic act of smashing a potter's flask. This act powerfully symbolizes God's irreversible judgment and destruction upon Jerusalem and Judah for their profound sin and idolatry. The word encapsulates the concepts of brokenness, divine sovereignty, and the severe consequences of rebellion against God. It stands as a solemn reminder of human fragility and the ultimate authority of the divine Potter over His creation.
TRV