הָרָר (ha.rar)
ha.rar
mountain
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The word harar is a variant spelling of the common Hebrew noun for mountain, har. It appears in nine verses, primarily within Psalms, Deuteronomy, and Song of Solomon. While it carries the same basic meaning of a high landform or hill country, its usage is restricted to specific poetic and narrative contexts rather than serving as the standard term for geographical elevation.
Its presence in the Song of Solomon adds a layer of descriptive variety to the landscape imagery, distinguishing these passages from legal or historical texts where the root har dominates. In Psalms and Deuteronomy, it functions similarly to its more frequent counterpart, referring to physical heights that often serve as backdrops for divine encounters or national boundaries. The variation in spelling likely reflects stylistic choices by the biblical authors rather than a difference in theological weight.
Translators typically render harar simply as "mountain" or "hill," consistent with how they handle the root har. Because it is so closely tied to its primary form, readers rarely need to distinguish between the two beyond noting the textual variant. The word reinforces the biblical theme of mountains as significant markers in the land and in the narrative of Israel’s relationship with God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word harar simply means mountain, though it appears as a poetic variant of the more common term. You will find it in passages like Psalm 87:1, which speaks of God’s foundation being laid in the holy mountains. This imagery reminds us that our spiritual life is built on something solid and unshakable, rather than shifting sand.
In the Song of Solomon, this word helps describe the majestic landscape from which the beloved calls her partner. It paints a picture of beauty and grandeur, showing how God uses the natural world to express deep human affection. These mountains are not just rocks; they are places where connection happens.
When you read about hills and heights in Scripture, remember they often point to God’s presence or His enduring promises. Whether it is the dew of Hermon falling on Zion or the ancient mountains crumbling before the Lord, these images invite us to look upward with hope and trust in His steady care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ [the] mountains of2×
- [the] mountains of2×
- on/ hills of1×
- mountains of1×
- mountain/ my1×
- and/ from/ hills/ its1×
- [is] among/ [the] mountains of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַרְרֵי\־2×
- בְּ/הַרְרֵי\־2×
- מֵֽ/הַרְרֵי\־1×
- מֵֽ/הַרְרֵ֖י1×
- וּ/מֵ/הֲרָרֶ֖י/הָ1×
- הַרְרֵ֪י1×
- הֲרָרִ/י֙1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 87:1
A Psalm by the sons of Korah; a Song. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
This verse uses the word to describe God's foundation, emphasizing stability and divine presence in a holy place.
-
Song of Solomon 4:8
Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
Here the term adds poetic variety to the landscape imagery, highlighting the beauty and majesty of the setting.
-
Psalms 133:3
like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion; for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more.
The word appears in a metaphor about blessing, linking the physical height of mountains to spiritual unity and life.