חֲרָדָה (cha.ra.dah)
cha.ra.dah
Haradah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun ḥărâḏâ appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times as a proper name for a specific location in the wilderness journey of Israel (Numbers 33:14; Numbers 20:22). Its primary meaning is "fear" or "trembling," derived from the root ḥrd, which conveys a sense of awe or dread. As a place name, it likely reflects the intense emotions experienced by the Israelites in that desolate setting.
This station marks a significant point in their itinerary, situated between Elim and Mount Sinai. The sources indicate that its name serves as a reminder of the fear and uncertainty that characterized life in the harsh desert environment. While the word itself is common for describing emotional states, its use here as a geographical marker highlights how deeply these experiences were embedded in the collective memory of the people.
Understanding ḥărâḏâ provides insight into the physical and spiritual landscape of the Exodus narrative. It reminds readers that the journey to the Promised Land was not just a physical trek but also a profound emotional and theological trial, where fear was a constant companion alongside faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ḥărâḏâ appears only twice in Scripture, both as a place name along Israel’s wilderness route. Its root means fear or trembling, and its use as a location suggests that the journey through the desert was marked by deep anxiety and uncertainty. For the Israelites, this stop between Elim and Mount Sinai was not just a physical pause but an emotional checkpoint.
When we read about Haradah today, it reminds us that faith often travels through seasons of fear. The Bible does not hide the reality of human weakness; instead, it places these moments of dread within God’s larger story of deliverance. Even in desolate places, God guides His people forward, step by step.
Haradah invites us to acknowledge our own fears without shame. It shows that trembling is part of the journey, yet it does not have the final word. God’s presence remains steady even when our hearts shake, offering hope and direction through every uncertain stretch of road.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Haradah1×
- at/ Haradah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵ/חֲרָדָ֑ה1×
- בַּ/חֲרָדָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 33:24
They traveled from Mount Shepher, and encamped in Haradah.
This verse records Israel's encampment in Haradah, marking a specific moment where the collective fear of the wilderness journey was etched into their geographical path.
-
Numbers 33:25
They traveled from Haradah, and encamped in Makheloth.
By listing departure from Haradah to Makheloth, this verse shows that despite the terror associated with the name, the people continued moving under God’s guidance.