חֵרָבוֹן (cha.ra.von)
cha.ra.von
drought
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun cherabon refers specifically to drought, a condition of severe dryness and lack of water. In the entire Old Testament, this word appears only once, in Psalm 32:4, where it is used in a striking metaphorical sense.
Here, the psalmist describes his physical suffering not just as thirst, but as a burning heat akin to drought-stricken land. The sources note that this usage likely points to the intense, feverish heat that accompanies severe dehydration or illness. By linking spiritual burden to physical desiccation, the text conveys how unconfessed sin can drain a person’s vitality and cause inner turmoil.
Because it is so rare, cherabon does not have a wide range of meanings in Scripture. Its single occurrence highlights the tangible connection between moral state and physical well-being in Hebrew thought. Translators typically render it as "drought" or "dryness," preserving the image of a life parched by internal distress.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for drought appears just once in Scripture, nestled in Psalm 32:4. The psalmist describes his suffering as a relentless heat that saps his strength. This rare term captures more than physical thirst; it paints a picture of inner vitality drying up under the weight of unconfessed sin.
When we carry hidden burdens, our spiritual and emotional energy can feel drained, much like land parched by summer sun. Recognizing this connection helps us see why confession matters. It is not just about rule-breaking but about restoring the life-giving flow between you and God.
There is hope in this imagery. Just as rain brings life to dry ground, turning to God brings relief to a weary soul. You do not have to carry these heavy loads alone. Seeking forgiveness opens the way for peace and renewal, allowing your strength to return.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- by/ [the] dry heat<s> of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/חַרְבֹ֖נֵי1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 32:4
For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer. Selah.
This is the only occurrence of the word, where it metaphorically describes the psalmist's physical exhaustion and spiritual distress caused by unconfessed sin.