חָרַר

chârar /khaw-rar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto glow, i.e. literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion)
KJV usagebe angry, burn, dry, kindle.
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word chârar, represented by H2787, is a primitive root meaning to glow. It is used to describe literal effects like melting, burning, or drying up, as well as figurative ones like showing or inciting passion. This word appears 11 times in 11 unique verses, conveying a sense of intense heat or dryness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H2787 is used to illustrate several conditions. It can describe the literal process of being consumed by fire, as seen when the inhabitants of the earth are burned under a curse Isaiah 24:6, or when a worthless vine is cast into the fire and its middle is burned (Ezekiel 15:4, Ezekiel 15:5). The word also expresses intense personal suffering, as when the psalmist's throat is dried from crying out Psalms 69:3 or when Job's bones are burned with heat from his affliction Job 30:30. Figuratively, it can depict human passion, such as when the children of the bride's mother were angry with her Song of Solomon 1:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of heat, fire, and their effects:

  • H1513 gechel (ember, coal): This word often denotes the source of the heat. It is used in tandem with H2787 in the prophetic imagery of a pot being set on the coals so that it may burn and be purified Ezekiel 24:11.
  • H2721 chôreb (drought, heat): This term describes the condition of intense heat or dryness. It is directly linked with H2787 in Job's lament, where his bones are burned with heat Job 30:30.
  • H1814 dâlaq (to flame, kindle): This root verb relates to the act of setting something on fire. It can be used figuratively for inflaming passions with wine Isaiah 5:11 or literally to kindle a fire Obadiah 1:18.
  • H784 'êsh (fire): This is the general term for fire. It is often the agent that causes something to be burned H2787, as when a vine is cast into the fire for fuel Ezekiel 15:4.

Theological Significance

The thematic weight of H2787 is significant, often associated with judgment, suffering, and conflict.

  • Divine Judgment and Purification: The word is used to portray the purifying and destructive power of God's judgment. In Ezekiel's prophecy, an empty pot is heated so it may burn, melting its filthiness and consuming its scum Ezekiel 24:11. Similarly, the inhabitants of the earth are burned as a consequence of a curse Isaiah 24:6.
  • Intense Personal Suffering: H2787 vividly captures the physical and emotional toll of deep distress. The psalmist's bones are burned as if in a hearth Psalms 102:3, and his throat is dried from exhaustive prayer Psalms 69:3.
  • The Kindling of Strife: The word's figurative use extends to human conflict. A contentious person is compared to coals and wood, serving to kindle strife just as fuel kindles a fire Proverbs 26:21.

Summary

In summary, H2787 provides a powerful and versatile depiction of intense heat. It moves beyond a simple definition of burning to encompass the physical anguish of a body afflicted by sickness Job 30:30, the emotional heat of anger Song of Solomon 1:6, and the destructive fire of divine judgment Isaiah 24:6. Its usage illustrates how a single concept can be applied to literal fire, the effects of human passion, and the actions of God.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Niphal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (4 verses).

1
Job
2
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Song of Solomon
1
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
4
Ezekiel

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.