חָרַשׁ
To scratch , i.e. (by implication) to engrave , plough ; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent , to let alone ; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does חָרַשׁ (ḥāraš) mean in the Bible?
חָרַשׁ (ḥāraš) is a Hebrew word meaning "to scratch , i.e. (by implication) to engrave , plough ; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent , to let alone ; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness)". to scratch, i. Silence here represents disciplined wisdom rather than ignorance. This term runs through the canonical themes of Faith, Wisdom.
Meaning
Core sense of making marks (engraving, ploughing) extends to crafting, scheming, and strategic silence or deafness.
to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness) BDB: be silent Usage: × altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise, ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace, plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue, worker.
Why This Word Matters
Silence here represents disciplined wisdom rather than ignorance. Isaiah 36:11-22
Demonstrates restrained trust amid provocation. Proverbs 11:12
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 27×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 28×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 2×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 72 occurrences in the biblical text.