The Hebrew word chôresh, represented by H2793, primarily denotes a forest or wood. It appears 7 times across 7 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used to describe both literal wooded areas, which serve as places of refuge and construction, and is also employed figuratively as a bough or shroud to convey concepts of power and desolation.
In the biblical narrative, H2793 is centrally featured in the account of David H1732 fleeing from Saul H7586. The wood is the specific location in the wilderness H4057 of Ziph H2128 where David hides 1 Samuel 23:15. It is in this wood that Jonathan H3083 finds David to strengthen H2388 his hand H3027 in God H430 and where they make H3772 a covenant H1285 together (1 Samuel 23:16, 1 Samuel 23:18). Later, the Ziphites H2130 report David's location to Saul, identifying his hiding place as the wood on the hill H1389 of Hachilah H2444 1 Samuel 23:19. The term is also used in a practical sense, as a place where castles H1003 and towers H4026 are built 2 Chronicles 27:4. Metaphorically, it describes the Assyrian H804 empire as a mighty cedar H730 with a "shadowing H6751 shroud H2793" Ezekiel 31:3 and symbolizes judgment as a "forsaken H5800 bough H2793" Isaiah 17:9.
Several related words help define the context and nature of a chôresh:
- H2022 har (mountain): Forests are often associated with elevated terrain. In the mountains H2022 of Judah H3063, cities were built, while in the forests H2793, castles H1003 and towers H4026 were constructed 2 Chronicles 27:4.
- H1389 gibʻâh (hillock): This term specifies the landscape where a forest might be found. The wood H2793 that concealed David was located in the hill H1389 of Hachilah H2444 1 Samuel 23:19.
- H4057 midbâr (wilderness): A wood H2793 can exist within a larger, untamed region, offering specific cover. David was in the wilderness H4057 of Ziph in a wood H2793 1 Samuel 23:15.
- H1003 bîyrânîyth (castle): This indicates the strategic value of forests as locations for fortifications. In the forests H2793, people built H1129 castles H1003 for defense 2 Chronicles 27:4.
The theological significance of H2793 is multifaceted, representing safety, power, and judgment.
- Place of Refuge and Covenant: The wood is more than a hiding place; it is a sanctuary where Jonathan strengthens David's hand in God H430 1 Samuel 23:16. It becomes the setting for a solemn covenant H1285 made before the LORD H3068, affirming their loyal bond 1 Samuel 23:18.
- Symbol of Worldly Power: In Ezekiel's prophecy, the Assyrian empire's might is captured through the image of a great cedar whose expansive canopy is called a "shadowing H6751 shroud H2793," representing its vast and protective, yet imposing, influence Ezekiel 31:3.
- Metaphor for Divine Judgment: Conversely, a decaying or abandoned chôresh symbolizes ruin. Isaiah prophesies that the strong H4581 cities of Israel H3478 will become like a "forsaken H5800 bough H2793," a stark image of the desolation H8077 that will result from judgment Isaiah 17:9.
In summary, H2793 carries meaning far beyond its literal definition of a forest or wood. It is a setting for refuge, a sacred space for covenant, and a strategic site for fortification. Prophetically, it serves as a potent symbol for both the towering strength of empires and the desolation that follows divine judgment. From the literal wood that concealed a future king to the metaphorical shroud of a nation, chôresh illustrates how a physical place can embody profound spiritual and historical themes.
TRV