English · KJV
H2794

חֹרֵשׁ

chôrêsh /kho-rashe'/ Ask about this word
Rootactive participle of חָרַשׁ
Meaninga fabricator or mechanic
KJV usageartificer.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chôrêsh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word chôrêsh, represented by H2794, translates to artificer, a term for a fabricator or mechanic. It is an extremely rare word, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical text. Its meaning is tied directly to the act of fabrication and craftsmanship, specifically in metalworking.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single use of H2794 is found in the genealogy of Cain. The scripture identifies Tubalcain as an "instructer of every artificer in brass and iron" Genesis 4:22. This passage establishes the role of the artificer at a very early stage of human history as a master of working with fundamental metals, establishing a legacy of skilled craftsmanship.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the skills and materials of the artificer:

  • H3913 lâṭash (instructer, sharpen, whet): This word, used to describe Tubalcain's role as an "instructer" Genesis 4:22, fundamentally means to sharpen by hammering out an edge. It is also used in the context of sharpening swords Psalms 7:12 and agricultural tools 1 Samuel 13:20.
  • H1270 barzel (iron): As one of the primary materials of the artificer, iron is mentioned in the foundational verse Genesis 4:22. It is often used elsewhere to symbolize strength, as in "shoes shall be iron" Deuteronomy 33:25, or stubbornness, as in an "iron sinew" Isaiah 48:4.
  • H5178 nᵉchôsheth (brass, copper): This is the other metal associated with the work of the artificer Genesis 4:22. It is used for making significant objects like the brasen serpent Numbers 21:9 and for symbolic fortifications, such as the "brasen walls" promised to Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2794 is derived entirely from its unique context and its association with key materials.

  • Origin of Industry: Its sole appearance in Genesis marks the biblical origin point for specialized craftsmanship and metalworking, attributing this development to the line of Cain through Tubalcain Genesis 4:22.
  • Symbolism of Materials: The metals handled by the artificer, iron and brass, are later used throughout scripture as powerful metaphors. They represent concepts of divine fortification, as with Jeremiah's "iron pillar" Jeremiah 1:18, and affliction, such as Egypt being an "iron furnace" Jeremiah 11:4.
  • Foundation of Skill: The term introduces the concept of sharpening and fabricating, a skill that is both practical for tools 1 Samuel 13:20 and used metaphorically for conflict, as when an enemy "sharpeneth his eyes" Job 16:9.

Summary

In summary, while H2794 is a term with a singular biblical footprint, its importance is significant. As artificer, it introduces the theme of human industry and technological advancement early in the Genesis narrative. Its context provides a foundation for the later symbolic use of iron and brass, linking this early craftsmanship to broader biblical themes of strength, judgment, and divine provision.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • חֹרֵשׁ
  • חֹרֵשׁ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3913 לָטַשׁ a primitive root; properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen; instructer, sharp(-en), whet. H1270 בַּרְזֶל perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement; (ax) head, iron. H5178 נְחֹשֶׁת for נְחוּשָׁה; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with go

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Genesis — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.