from חָרַשׁ; magical craft; also silence; cunning, secretly.
Transliteration:cheresh
Pronunciation:kheh'-resh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H2791 (חֶרֶשׁ, *cheresh*) derives from the verbal root `{{H2790}}` (חָרַשׁ, *charash*), a versatile root with a broad semantic range including "to cut," "to engrave," "to plow," "to devise," and "to be silent" or "to be deaf." This duality in the root is mirrored and amplified in H2791, which exhibits two primary semantic poles:
1. **Magical Craft/Enchantment/Cunning:** This pole refers to illicit practices such as sorcery, charms, or the practitioner of such arts. It also extends to "cunning" or "skill," sometimes in a neutral sense (e.g., skilled craftsmanship), but often with an undertone of artifice or secret knowledge. The connection to the root `{{H2790}}` here lies in the idea of "devising" or "secretly working."
2. **Silence/Deafness:** This pole directly reflects the "be silent" or "be deaf" aspect of the root `{{H2790}}`. It describes a state of being unable to hear or a condition of quietness.
The seemingly disparate meanings are linked by the underlying concept of hiddenness or a specialized, often secret, activity. Magic involves hidden knowledge or manipulation, while silence is a state of non-communication or hidden sound. "Cunning" implies a hidden or subtle skill.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H2791 appears in various contexts, illustrating its diverse semantic range:
* **Magical Craft/Enchantment:**
* In [[Exodus 7:11]], cheresh is used in the plural, referring to the "magicians" (often translated "sorcerers" or "enchanters") of Egypt whom Pharaoh summoned to counter Moses and Aaron. Here, it clearly denotes practitioners of illicit magic, directly opposing divine power.
* [[Deuteronomy 18:11]] lists cheresh among various forbidden occult practices, specifically "a charmer" or "one who casts spells." This context unequivocally condemns such activities as an abomination to Yahweh.
* [[1 Samuel 6:18]] mentions "the villages of the charmers" (or "the charmed villages") in the context of the Philistine cities, suggesting places where such practices were common, further associating cheresh with pagan idolatry.
* [[Isaiah 3:3]] refers to the "cunning charmer" (or "expert enchanter") as one of the pillars of society that God will remove from Jerusalem, indicating that even within Israel, such illicit practices were present and considered a form of influence.
* **Cunning/Skill (often with an undertone of artifice):**
* [[Jeremiah 10:9]] describes idols as the "work of the skilled craftsman" (or "cunning workman"). While "skilled" here is not inherently negative, the context of idolatry imbues it with the negative connotation of human artifice creating false gods.
* **Silence/Deafness:**
* [[Psalm 58:5]] uses cheresh to describe the "deaf adder" that "does not hear the voice of charmers." This is a literal description of deafness, but within the psalm's broader context, it serves as a metaphor for the wicked who refuse to listen to wisdom or divine counsel.
* [[Isaiah 29:21]] speaks of those "who make a person an offender for a word" or "who ensnare the innocent in argument." The precise meaning of cheresh here is debated, but it often implies a "secret whisper" or a "cunning trap" set by words, leading to false accusation or condemnation by subtle means. This aligns with the "secret/cunning" aspect of the word, leading to a state of being silenced or condemned.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root `{{H2790}}` (חָרַשׁ, *charash*), from which H2791 derives. This root encompasses:
* **Plowing/Cultivation:** `{{H2790}}` can mean "to plow" ([[Job 4:8]]).
* **Engraving/Craftsmanship:** It can mean "to engrave" or "to devise," leading to words like `{{H2796}}` (חָרָשׁ, *charash*), meaning "craftsman" or "artisan" ([[Exodus 31:3]]). This highlights the positive aspect of skill and creativity.
* **Silence/Deafness:** As seen in [[Isaiah 41:1]] ("be silent before me").
Other related concepts and words include:
* **For illicit magic:** `{{H3784}}` (כָּשַׁף, *kashaph*, "to practice sorcery"), `{{H3248}}` (יִדְּעֹנִי, *yidde'oni*, "spiritist"), `{{H6049}}` (עָנַן, *anan*, "to practice soothsaying"). These words collectively describe the forbidden realm of divination and occult practices.
* **For cunning/skill:** `{{H2450}}` (חָכָם, *chakham*, "wise," "skillful"), which can be used for both divine wisdom and human ingenuity.
* **For silence/deafness:** `{{H1826}}` (דָּמַם, *damam*, "to be silent," "to be still").
The semantic field of H2791 thus intersects with themes of human ingenuity, spiritual deception, and the capacity (or incapacity) to hear and respond.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2791 is multifaceted, touching upon God's sovereignty, the nature of revelation, and human responsibility.
1. **Condemnation of Illicit Power:** The frequent use of cheresh in contexts of magic and enchantment ([[Exodus 7:11]], [[Deuteronomy 18:11]]) underscores God's absolute prohibition against such practices. These acts represent a reliance on powers other than Yahweh, a rejection of His unique authority, and an attempt to manipulate or gain knowledge outside of divine revelation. They are an abomination because they lead people away from the true God and His established means of communication.
2. **Divine Wisdom vs. Human Artifice:** While cheresh can denote human skill ([[Jeremiah 10:9]]), when applied to the creation of idols or the practice of magic, it highlights the futility and deception of human efforts apart from God. True wisdom and power come from God, not from human cunning or secret arts.
3. **The Importance of Hearing God's Voice:** The "silence" or "deafness" aspect of cheresh ([[Psalm 58:5]]) carries profound spiritual implications. The deaf adder, unresponsive to the charmer's voice, becomes a potent metaphor for those who are spiritually deaf to God's commands, warnings, and invitations to repentance. This highlights the critical importance of spiritual attentiveness and obedience to divine revelation.
4. **Justice and Deception:** In [[Isaiah 29:21]], the "cunning" or "secret" accusation points to the human capacity for injustice and deceit. God's judgment is directed not only against overt sin but also against the subtle, hidden ways in which humans oppress and condemn one another.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2791 (חֶרֶשׁ, *cheresh*) is a rich and complex term, embodying a striking semantic duality derived from its root `{{H2790}}`. It signifies both "magical craft," "enchantment," or "cunning," and "silence" or "deafness." In its former sense, it frequently denotes illicit occult practices condemned by God, highlighting the stark contrast between reliance on divine power and forbidden human manipulation. In its latter sense, it can describe a literal physical state or serve as a powerful metaphor for spiritual unresponsiveness to God's voice. The word's occurrences reveal a consistent theological message: God's sovereignty is absolute, true wisdom emanates from Him, and spiritual attentiveness to His word is paramount, standing in opposition to human deception, illicit practices, and spiritual insensitivity.
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