הֶ֫רֶס (he.res)
he.res
(City of) Destruction
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun hereṣ means overthrow or destruction. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Isaiah 19:18. In this verse, it describes a city in Egypt that will face ruin.
This single occurrence is part of a phrase meaning "City of Destruction." The term likely refers to On, also known as Heliopolis, a major ancient Egyptian center. The prophet uses the word to picture the fall of a powerful place, emphasizing total collapse rather than simple defeat.
Its rarity makes this entry unique. Unlike words for general war or disaster, hereṣ focuses on the result: the city is broken down and left in ruins. Isaiah pairs it with On to show that even Egypt’s greatest urban centers are not safe from judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hereṣ appears only once in Scripture, marking a specific moment of judgment against Egypt. Isaiah uses it to describe the fall of a powerful urban center, reminding us that human strength is temporary. No matter how fortified a city or institution may seem, it stands under God’s sovereign authority.
This rare term teaches us that earthly security is fragile. When we place our trust in political power or cultural dominance, we risk building on shifting ground. The prophet’s message is not just historical but theological: true safety comes from aligning with Yahweh, not from the walls of our cities.
For believers today, this serves as a sobering check against pride. It invites us to examine where we find our security and to rest in the one who endures forever. The collapse of human systems points us toward the stability found in God’s kingdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of <the>/ Destruction1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/הֶ֔רֶס1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 19:18
In that day, there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to Yahweh of Armies. One will be called “The city of destruction.”
This verse uniquely applies hereṣ to a specific Egyptian city, showing that even centers of pagan power are subject to divine judgment.