### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term **Têl Charshâʼ** `{{H8521}}` refers to a place in Babylonia. Its name means "mound of workmanship". This location is mentioned **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, appearing as both Tel-haresha and Tel-harsa.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H8521}}` is exclusively mentioned in the context of the return of the exiles from Babylonia. In both Ezra and Nehemiah, it is listed as one of the places from which people "went up" `{{H5927}}` to return to Judah. However, the individuals from Tel-haresha, along with those from other specified locations, faced a significant problem: they "could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel" ([[Ezra 2:59]]; [[Nehemiah 7:61]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context surrounding Tel-haresha's appearance in scripture:
* `{{H5046}}` **nâgad** (shew): A primitive root meaning "to manifest; figuratively, to announce... expose, predict, explain, praise." This underscores the act of formally declaring or proving one's lineage.
* `{{H1004}}` **bayith** (house): This word for "house" is used in a great variety of applications, especially to mean "family." The phrase "father's house" (`{{H1}}`, `{{H1004}}`) refers directly to one's paternal ancestry and family line.
* `{{H2233}}` **zeraʻ** (seed): This term for seed is also used figuratively for "posterity." It was a crucial element in proving one's heritage as a descendant of Israel.
* `{{H3478}}` **Yisrâʼêl** (Israel): Defined as "he will rule as God," it is the name for Jacob's posterity. The people from Tel-haresha could not prove they belonged to this community [[Nehemiah 7:61]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H8521}}` is not in the location itself, but in the event it represents within the biblical account.
* **Genealogical Integrity:** The inability of the people from Tel-haresha to provide proof of their lineage highlights the critical importance of ancestry and heritage for inclusion in the restored covenant community of Israel ([[Ezra 2:59]]; [[Nehemiah 7:61]]).
* **The Return from Exile:** Tel-haresha serves as a geographical marker for the diaspora. Its mention is part of the historical record of those who "went up" `{{H5927}}` from Babylon, a central event in Israel's story of restoration.
* **The Burden of Proof:** The situation involving the people from this town demonstrates the administrative and spiritual challenge of verifying identity. They were unable to "shew" `{{H5046}}` their connection to a "father's house" `{{H1004}}` within Israel, putting their status in question.
### Summary
In summary, **Têl Charshâʼ** `{{H8521}}` is a Babylonian location whose biblical importance is tied directly to the return from exile. It is remembered as a place of origin for returnees who could not validate their Israelite heritage. Their struggle to prove their "father's house" (`{{H1}}`, `{{H1004}}`) and "seed" `{{H2233}}` serves as a stark illustration of the paramount importance of lineage in the re-establishment of the nation of Israel.
TRV