from חָרַשׁ; a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric); bough, forest, shroud, wood.
Transliteration:chôresh
Pronunciation:kho'-resh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma חֹרֶשׁ (chôresh, `{{H2793}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verbal root חָרַשׁ (charash, `{{H2790}}`). The root חָרַשׁ carries a broad semantic range including "to engrave," "to plow," "to devise," "to be silent," and "to fabricate" or "work with materials." This etymological connection suggests that חֹרֶשׁ refers to a forest or wooded area, perhaps emphasizing the trees as material for cutting or working, or a place that is "plowed" by natural growth.
The primary meaning of חֹרֶשׁ is a "forest" or "wood." The base definition further expands this to include "bough" (a large branch of a tree) and "shroud." The inclusion of "bough" might be a synecdoche, where a part represents the whole, or it could refer to dense, intertwined branches. The meaning "shroud" is intriguing; it could refer to the dense, enveloping nature of a thick forest, which can conceal or "shroud" what is within, or metaphorically to a place of obscurity or death, or even wood used for burial. The parenthetical note "perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric" within the Strong's definition points to the broader concept of working with raw materials, aligning with the root חָרַשׁ's sense of fabrication. Thus, חֹרֶשׁ encompasses a tract of land covered with trees, often implying density, wildness, or the potential for timber.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֹרֶשׁ (chôresh, `{{H2793}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance providing valuable contextual insight into its usage:
* **[[1 Samuel 23:15]] and [[1 Samuel 23:18]]**: Here, חֹרֶשׁ (specifically חֹרְשָׁה in [[1 Samuel 23:15]], a feminine form but clearly the same root and meaning) refers to a specific "forest" in the wilderness of Ziph where David hides from King Saul. In this context, the forest serves as a place of refuge, concealment, and natural protection against pursuers. It underscores the wild, untamed nature of such areas, providing cover for the vulnerable.
* **[[2 Chronicles 2:8]] (or 2:7 in some translations)**: This verse describes King Solomon's request to Hiram, king of Tyre, for "cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees from Lebanon; for I know that your servants are skilled in cutting timber in Lebanon." While חֹרֶשׁ itself is not in the verse, the context of "cutting timber" directly relates to the root חָרַשׁ and the practical utility of a forest. The broader context of 2 Chronicles 2 uses forms of חָרַשׁ to speak of skilled workers and craftsmen, particularly those working with wood, reinforcing the idea of חֹרֶשׁ as a source of raw, workable material.
* **[[Isaiah 17:9]]**: This prophetic passage describes the desolation of cities, comparing them to "the forsaken places of the forest (כַּעֲזוּבַת הַחֹרֶשׁ) and the highest peak." Here, חֹרֶשׁ is used metaphorically to depict a place that was once perhaps vibrant or settled, but now lies abandoned, overgrown, and desolate, reflecting the consequences of divine judgment. The imagery evokes a sense of wildness reclaiming what was once ordered, symbolizing ruin and decay.
* **[[Ezekiel 31:3]]**: In a vivid allegory describing Assyria's grandeur, the nation is likened to a "cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade (וְחֹרֶשׁ מֵצַל)." Here, חֹרֶשׁ describes the dense, encompassing shade provided by a mighty tree, emphasizing its majesty, protective canopy, and the vastness of its reach. It highlights the tree's powerful presence and the shelter it offers, almost personifying the tree as a miniature forest.
These occurrences demonstrate חֹרֶשׁ's multifaceted usage, ranging from a literal physical location to a symbolic representation of refuge, desolation, or majestic power.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding חֹרֶשׁ (chôresh, `{{H2793}}`) is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **חָרַשׁ (charash, `{{H2790}}`):** As the root verb, חָרַשׁ is intrinsically linked. Its meanings of "to cut," "to engrave," "to plow," and "to fabricate" directly inform the understanding of חֹרֶשׁ as a place where trees are "cut" for timber, or a wild area that is "plowed" by nature's growth. The broader sense of "working" or "crafting" resonates with the use of forest products.
* **יַעַר (ya'ar, `{{H3293}}`):** This is the most common and general Hebrew word for "forest" or "woodland." While often interchangeable with חֹרֶשׁ in some contexts, חֹרֶשׁ may carry a more specific nuance of a dense, wild, or rugged forest, particularly one noted for its timber or its capacity for concealment, whereas יַעַר is broader.
* **עֵץ (ʿetz, `{{H6086}}`):** Meaning "tree" or "wood," this noun represents the individual components that comprise a חֹרֶשׁ. The forest is a collection of עֵץ.
* **סְבַךְ (sevakh, `{{H5440}}`):** This term denotes a "thicket" or "dense growth," emphasizing the impenetrable quality of some wooded areas. This concept aligns with the "shroud" aspect of חֹרֶשׁ, referring to the thick, intertwined nature of a dense forest.
* **יָעֵף (ya'ef, `{{H3286}}`):** While not directly related etymologically, the concept of "weariness" or "faintness" (from the root יעף) can be contextually associated with deep forests, which might be difficult to traverse or provide a place for the weary to rest, as seen in the narrative of David's flight.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חֹרֶשׁ (chôresh, `{{H2793}}`) is primarily derived from its contextual roles in the biblical narrative and its symbolic potential:
* **Divine Provision and Resources:** In its capacity as a source of timber for the Temple ([[2 Chronicles 2:8]]), חֹרֶשׁ highlights God's abundant provision within creation. The natural world, including its forests, is presented as a storehouse of resources, freely given by God for human use, even for sacred purposes. This underscores a theology of creation where the physical world is not merely a backdrop but an active participant in God's plan, providing the means for worship and community.
* **Refuge and Sovereignty:** The forest as a place of refuge for David ([[1 Samuel 23:15]]) illustrates God's protective sovereignty. Even in the wilderness, amidst persecution, God provides natural shelters. This can be seen as a metaphor for God's sheltering presence and guidance, offering sanctuary to those in distress, demonstrating that His care extends even to the most desolate and wild places.
* **Judgment and Desolation:** In prophetic contexts ([[Isaiah 17:9]]), חֹרֶשׁ serves as a potent symbol of divine judgment and the resulting desolation. A once-flourishing area reduced to a forsaken forest speaks to the transient nature of human pride and power when confronted with God's righteous wrath. It serves as a stark reminder that even the most established human constructs can be undone, returning to a state of wildness or ruin under divine decree.
* **Majesty and Power:** The imagery of the "forest shade" of a mighty cedar ([[Ezekiel 31:3]]) evokes a sense of majesty, strength, and protective power. While applied to a human empire, this imagery ultimately points to the ultimate source of all power and glory, which is God Himself, the Creator of such magnificent trees and forests. It suggests that true and lasting majesty belongs to God alone, and any human power is but a reflection, or a fleeting shadow, of His.
* In essence, חֹרֶשׁ functions as a multifaceted element of the created order, reflecting aspects of divine provision, protection, judgment, and majesty, serving as a silent witness to God's ongoing interaction with humanity and the world.
### Summary
חֹרֶשׁ (chôresh, `{{H2793}}`) is a Hebrew noun primarily denoting a "forest" or "wooded area," derived from the root חָרַשׁ (charash, `{{H2790}}`), which implies cutting, working, or fabricating. Its semantic range also includes "bough," "shroud," and "wood," emphasizing its density, utility as timber, or capacity for concealment. Biblically, חֹרֶשׁ serves several key functions: it is a place of refuge and concealment for figures like David ([[1 Samuel 23:15]]); a source of valuable building materials, particularly for the Temple ([[2 Chronicles 2:8]]); a powerful symbol of desolation and divine judgment ([[Isaiah 17:9]]); and an image of majestic, protective shade, as seen in the allegory of Assyria ([[Ezekiel 31:3]]). While יַעַר (ya'ar, `{{H3293}}`) is a more general term for forest, חֹרֶשׁ often carries nuances of wildness, density, or specific utility for timber. Theologically, חֹרֶשׁ underscores God's abundant provision in creation, the natural world's role in offering refuge and signifying judgment, and serves as a profound image reflecting both the beauty and the potential for ruin within the created order, all under divine sovereignty.
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