חַרְחוּר (char.chur)
char.chur
Harhur
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name ḥarḥūr appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Ezra 2:51 and Nehemiah 7:53. It identifies a particular individual who was the head of a family among those who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile under Zerubbabel.
Lexical sources note that the name likely derives from a root meaning "inflammation" or "heat." While this etymology might seem unusual for a personal name, it reflects a common ancient practice of using descriptive or characteristic words as proper nouns. The text does not elaborate on the man’s life beyond his role as a family leader in the post-exilic community.
Its rarity makes ḥarḥūr a minor but specific marker of identity in the lists of returnees. It serves to preserve the name of one ancestor within the broader narrative of restoration, anchoring the historical record in individual family lines rather than just collective groups.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name ḥarḥūr appears in the Hebrew Bible only twice, identifying a family leader among those who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:51; Nehemiah 7:53). Its likely root meaning relates to heat or inflammation, reflecting an ancient practice of using descriptive words for personal names. Though rare, this term anchors the historical record in individual family lines rather than just collective groups.
For your faith, ḥarḥūr reminds us that God’s restoration includes every person, no matter how small their role may seem. In lists of returnees, each name preserves a unique identity within the broader narrative of hope and renewal. This word invites you to see yourself as part of God’s ongoing story, where even minor details matter deeply.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Harhur2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַרְחֽוּר\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:51
the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
The name ḥarḥūr appears here as part of a list identifying family leaders among the exiles returning to Jerusalem, preserving their identity in the post-exilic community.
-
Nehemiah 7:53
the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
This occurrence mirrors Ezra 2:51, reinforcing the importance of individual names in documenting the returnees' journey and restoring their ancestral ties to Jerusalem.