חֲרֹדִי (cha.ro.di)
cha.ro.di
Harodite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The term ḥărōḏî identifies a person from Harod, a place name meaning "trembling" or "fear." It functions as an adjective describing residency or descent from this location. The sources note that the site itself is otherwise unknown in biblical geography, leaving its exact identity and significance to speculation.
This word appears only once in Scripture, specifically in 2 Samuel 23:11. There it describes Shammah, one of King David’s legendary thirty-seven mighty men. The text refers to him as "the Harodite," linking his martial reputation directly to his hometown. This single usage provides the only biblical record of anyone bearing this specific designation.
The connection between the name and the meaning suggests a vivid local tradition. While the location remains obscure, the title serves as a unique identifier for Shammah within the list of David’s warriors. It highlights how personal identity in ancient Israel was often tied to one’s place of origin, even when that place left no other trace in the biblical record.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Harodite appears only once in Scripture, attached to Shammah in the list of David’s mighty men. Its root suggests a meaning like "trembling" or "fear," which creates a striking contrast with the courage displayed by these warriors. This linguistic detail reminds us that even those known for strength often drew from a place of deep reverence or awe.
Shammah’s identity is tied to his hometown, Harod, a location that remains unknown today. Yet his story endures in the biblical record as a testament to faithful service. It encourages us to consider how our own backgrounds and origins shape our witness, even when those places are obscure or forgotten by history.
This single mention invites reflection on the quiet faithfulness of ordinary people who stood firm in difficult times. Shammah’s legacy shows that God remembers those who serve with integrity, regardless of their fame or the visibility of their home.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Harodite2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַֽ/חֲרֹדִ֔י1×
- הַ/חֲרֹדִֽי\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 23:25
Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
This verse lists Shammah as a Harodite alongside Elika, confirming that the term functions as a geographical identifier for members of David’s elite warrior corps.