English · KJV
H2782

חָרַץ

chârats /khaw-rats'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to point sharply, i.e. (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide
KJV usagebestir self, decide, decree, determine, maim, move.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chârats — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word chârats, represented by H2782, comes from a primitive root meaning to point sharply. It is used both literally, to describe a wound, and figuratively, to convey being alert or making a decision. Occurring 12 times in 12 unique verses, its translations include to determine, decree, decide, maim, move, and to bestir oneself.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In Scripture, H2782 is frequently used to describe God's sovereign and unchangeable plans. The prophets Daniel and Isaiah use the term to speak of a future "consumption, even determined" upon the land Isaiah 10:23 and of desolations that "are determined" Daniel 9:26. In a more personal context, Job acknowledges that a man's days are determined by God Job 14:5. The word also signifies decisive human action, as when David is told to "bestir thyself" to go into battle 2 Samuel 5:24. It can also denote a physical state, such as an animal that is maimed and thus unfit for sacrifice Leviticus 22:22, or the complete silence when not even a dog would move its tongue Exodus 11:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the scope of decisions and decrees associated with H2782:

  • H3617 kâlâh (a completion; consummation): This word often appears alongside H2782 to describe a divine judgment that is both complete and divinely decreed. For example, Isaiah hears of a "consumption, even determined" upon the whole earth Isaiah 28:22.
  • H4941 mishpâṭ (judgment, verdict, decree): This term is linked to the consequence of a decision. In 1 Kings 20:40, a king confirms a man's judgment by stating, "thyself hast decided it."
  • H2706 chôq (an enactment, decree, bound): This term often describes the result of what has been determined. God has determined man's days and also set his bounds that he cannot pass Job 14:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2782 is significant, highlighting concepts of divine authority and finality.

  • God's Sovereign Decrees: The word is a powerful descriptor of God's sovereignty. It affirms that major historical events, including judgments and consummations, are not accidental but are determined by God and will be accomplished Daniel 11:36.
  • Finality of Judgment and Action: Stemming from its root meaning "to point sharply," the word implies a decisive and irreversible quality. This applies to a divinely decreed judgment Isaiah 10:22, a physical state of being maimed Leviticus 22:22, or a personal verdict one has decided for oneself 1 Kings 20:40.
  • The Call to Decisive Response: While God decrees, humans are also called to act decisively. The command for David to "bestir thyself" indicates a moment requiring sharp alertness and immediate action in response to God's signal 2 Samuel 5:24.

Summary

In summary, H2782 is a potent word that captures the essence of a sharp, final action or decree. It spans the full spectrum of authority, from the physical act of maiming an animal to the decisive moment a person must act, and ultimately to the sovereign decrees of God that shape the course of history. It powerfully illustrates that certain events, judgments, and boundaries are fixed and unalterable.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adjective across 12 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • נֶחֱרָצָה
  • תֶּחֱרָץ
  • יֶחֱרַץ
  • חֲרוּצִים
  • חָרוּץ
  • חָרָצְתָּ
  • חָרַץ
  • חָרוּץ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3617 כָּלָה from כָּלָה; a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction; altogether, (be, utterly) consume(-d), consummation(-pt H4941 מִשְׁפָּט from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decre H2706 חֹק from חָקַק; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandmen

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 12 verses across 8 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah and Daniel (3 verses each); never once in the other 31.

1
Exodus
1
Leviticus
1
Joshua
1
2 Samuel
1
1 Kings
1
Job
3
Isaiah
3
Daniel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.