הָרַס (ha.ras)
ha.ras
to overthrow
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 32 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb haras describes the violent act of tearing down or overthrowing, typically referring to the destruction of structures like walls, cities, or altars. Its core sense involves breaking something apart with force, whether by pulling it down piece by piece or smashing it through sheer power. This imagery appears frequently in the prophets, where God declares He will tear down what human pride has built, such as when Jeremiah speaks of His authority to uproot and destroy nations (Jeremiah 1:10).
A striking feature of this word is its application beyond physical buildings. In Proverbs 29:4, it describes how a king who accepts bribes "overthrows" the land, suggesting that unjust governance destabilizes society just as effectively as an earthquake collapses a wall. The verb also appears in Exodus 15:7 to describe God’s hand breaking down enemies like stubble, emphasizing total ruin rather than simple displacement.
The word carries a heavy theological weight because it is often paired with its opposite, the verb banah ("to build"). In Jeremiah 24:6 and 31:40, God promises not only to tear down but also to rebuild, framing destruction as a necessary precursor to restoration. This pairing highlights that divine judgment is not merely punitive but purposeful, clearing away what is corrupt to make way for renewal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word haras describes a forceful tearing down, often applied to walls, cities, or altars. While it sounds severe, this destruction is rarely an end in itself. In the prophetic writings, God uses this imagery to remove structures built on pride or injustice. It reminds us that what appears solid may be fragile if it stands against truth.
Proverbs 29:4 illustrates this principle in governance: a leader who accepts bribes tears down the land. This shows that corruption is not just a personal failing but a structural collapse that harms the community. When foundations are compromised, stability vanishes. The word warns us to examine what we build and why.
Yet this verb is often paired with its opposite, banah, meaning to build. Jeremiah 31:28 shows God watching over His people to pluck up and break down, but also to plant and build. Destruction clears the way for renewal. We can trust that when old things fall away, it may be preparation for something more enduring.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 32 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they have torn down2×
- he has torn down2×
- and/ to/ tear down2×
- you will tear down/ them1×
- you threw down1×
- they will be torn down/ !1×
- they will be torn down1×
- they tore down1×
- they should break through1×
- they have been torn down1×
- they break through1×
- that/ was torn down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֶהֶרְס֖וּ2×
- הָרָ֔סוּ2×
- אֶהֱרֹ֔ס2×
- תַּהֲרֹ֣ס1×
- תֵּהָרֵֽס\׃1×
- תְּהָ֣רְסֵ֔/ם1×
- תֶהֶרְסֶֽ/נּוּ\׃1×
- נֶהֱרָֽסָה\׃1×
- מְהָֽרְסַ֥יִ/ךְ1×
- יֶֽהֶרְס֛וּ1×
- יַהֲרֹ֡סוּ1×
- יַ֭הֲרוֹס1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 29:4
The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
This verse applies the physical act of overthrowing to social stability, showing how corrupt leadership dismantles the land just as effectively as a siege.
-
Jeremiah 1:10
Behold, I have today set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Here God assigns Jeremiah the dual role of tearing down and building, establishing that destruction is part of His plan for renewal rather than mere punishment.
-
Exodus 23:24
You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor follow their practices, but you shall utterly overthrow them and demolish their pillars.
The command to overthrow pagan altars links the physical act of demolition with spiritual fidelity, removing idols to restore proper worship.
-
Psalms 11:3
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
This rhetorical question highlights the terror of total collapse, asking what remains when the very foundations of society are destroyed by divine judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word haras mean?
Is haras only about physical destruction?
Why does God use this word in the prophets?
Every Occurrence (32 verses across 14 books)
Exodus 4 verses
In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send out your wrath. It consumes…
Exodus 19:21Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish.
Exodus 19:24Yahweh said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through…
Exodus 23:24You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor follow their practices, but you shall utterly overthrow them…