### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חָרֵר (chârêr, `{{H2788}}`) is derived from the root חָרַר (chârar, `{{H2787}}`), which fundamentally means "to be hot," "to be parched," or "to be scorched." Consequently, חָרֵר denotes a state or place characterized by extreme aridity, desiccation, or parchedness. Its semantic range encompasses the idea of a barren, scorched, or utterly dry place, evoking imagery of a desolate landscape devoid of moisture and life-sustaining elements. It speaks to a condition of severe dryness that inhibits growth and vitality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חָרֵר (chârêr, `{{H2788}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Jeremiah:
* [[Jeremiah 17:6]]: "For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places (חָרֵר) in the wilderness, in a salt land not inhabited."
In this powerful prophetic oracle, the prophet Jeremiah contrasts the blessed man who trusts in the Lord with the cursed man who trusts in human strength. The cursed man is likened to a "shrub in the desert," a plant that struggles to survive in harsh conditions. The phrase "parched places" (חָרֵר) intensifies this imagery, depicting an environment of ultimate desolation, a "salt land not inhabited." The context underscores a profound spiritual truth: turning away from God leads to a barren, unfruitful existence, akin to a physical wasteland where no good can truly flourish. The single occurrence of חָרֵר is thus highly significant, serving as a vivid descriptor of the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root חָרַר (chârar, `{{H2787}}`), from which חָרֵר is directly derived, meaning "to be hot, parched, or scorched." This connection reinforces the core meaning of extreme dryness and heat.
Other related concepts and words that frequently appear in parallel or convey similar ideas of desolation and aridity include:
* צִיָּה (tsiyyah, `{{H6723}}`): "dry ground," "desert," "wasteland." Often used to describe uninhabitable, waterless regions.
* מִדְבָּר (midbar, `{{H4057}}`): "wilderness," "desert." The general term for an uncultivated, often arid, region, frequently associated with hardship and testing.
* צָמָא (tsama', `{{H6772}}`): "thirst," the natural consequence of being in a parched land.
* יָבֵשׁ (yabesh, `{{H3001}}`): "to be dry," "to wither." This verb describes the process or state of becoming dry and losing vitality.
The imagery of dryness, barrenness, and desolation is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, often employed to symbolize divine judgment, spiritual decay, or the absence of God's blessing.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָרֵר (chârêr, `{{H2788}}`) is profound, particularly as it functions as a metaphor in [[Jeremiah 17:6]]. It represents the spiritual desolation and ultimate unfruitfulness that result from a life lived apart from God, who is the ultimate source of life and sustenance. Just as a physical "parched place" cannot sustain life, a soul that trusts in human strength or worldly resources rather than divine provision will find itself in a spiritual wasteland.
This term stands in stark contrast to the imagery of the "tree planted by streams of water" found in [[Psalm 1:3]] and echoed in [[Jeremiah 17:8]], which symbolizes the flourishing life of the righteous. The "parched places" (חָרֵר) embody the antithesis of divine blessing and vitality. It serves as a stark warning: true flourishing and spiritual vitality are contingent upon a dependent relationship with the Lord, who is the "fountain of living waters" ([[Jeremiah 2:13]]). To abandon Him is to condemn oneself to a state of spiritual barrenness and hardship.
### Summary
חָרֵר (chârêr, `{{H2788}}`) is a Hebrew term derived from חָרַר (chârar, `{{H2787}}`), denoting an extremely arid, parched, or scorched place. Its singular appearance in [[Jeremiah 17:6]] powerfully illustrates the desolate condition of one who trusts in human strength rather than the Lord. Contextually, it paints a vivid picture of a barren, uninhabitable land, symbolizing the spiritual unfruitfulness and hardship that result from unfaithfulness. Theologically, חָרֵר serves as a potent metaphor for spiritual desolation, emphasizing that true life and flourishing are found only in reliance upon God, the ultimate source of sustenance, and not in the "parched places" of self-reliance or worldly trust.
TRV