הֲרִיסָה (ha.ri.sah)
ha.ri.sah
ruins
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun harisah refers to ruins or the state of being broken down. It describes a physical place that has been destroyed, leaving behind rubble and debris rather than a standing structure. This word captures the aftermath of collapse, emphasizing the tangible remains of what once existed.
In Scripture, this term appears only once, in Amos 9:11. The prophet uses it to describe the fallen state of David’s dwelling. The context suggests a structure that has crumbled or been torn down, requiring restoration. It is not merely a metaphor for weakness but points to actual structural failure and desolation.
The word highlights the reality of destruction. It stands in contrast to a building that is intact and secure. By focusing on the remnants left behind, harisah underscores the need for rebuilding. The single occurrence in Amos ties this concept of ruin directly to the promise of restoration, showing that even what is broken can be renewed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word harisah describes the physical state of ruins—rubble, debris, and the remnants of what once stood tall. It captures the heavy reality of collapse, where a structure has crumbled into broken pieces. This is not an abstract idea but a tangible scene of desolation that requires more than repair; it demands complete rebuilding.
In Amos 9:11, this word appears in a profound promise regarding David’s tent. God declares He will raise up its harisah, His ruins. The image suggests that even when the foundation is shattered and only scattered stones remain, God’s purpose is not to leave it as a memorial of failure but to reconstruct it fully. It speaks to a restoration that goes beyond patching cracks.
For your life, this word offers a sobering yet hopeful perspective. When you face seasons where things feel broken down or lost, remember that God specializes in raising up what has fallen. He does not just tidy the debris; He restores the structure to its intended purpose. This promise assures us that no collapse is final in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ ruins/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/הֲרִֽסֹתָי/ו֙1×
Key Verses
-
Amos 9:11
In that day I will raise up the tent of David who is fallen and close up its breaches, and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old,
This is the only occurrence of harisah, where God promises to raise up the ruins of David's tent, linking physical destruction directly to future restoration.