חָרִיף (cha.riph)
cha.riph
Hariph
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name ḥārîp appears in the Hebrew Bible as a proper noun for two distinct individuals during the post-exilic period. In Ezra 2:18 and Nehemiah 7:24, it identifies the head of a family returning with Zerubbabel, where it serves as an alternative name for Yôrâh. This same root also designates a leader who signed the covenant renewal in Nehemiah 10:19, marking his participation in the community’s spiritual restoration.
Lexical sources suggest the meaning "plucking off" or potentially "autumn," though the exact etymology remains uncertain. As a personal name, it likely carried symbolic weight for those rebuilding Jerusalem, perhaps reflecting themes of harvest or renewal. Its appearance in genealogical lists and covenant records highlights the importance of family lineage and communal commitment during this era.
Translators typically leave such names untranslated to preserve their identity as specific historical figures rather than generic descriptors. The word’s limited occurrence underscores its role as a marker of individual heritage within the broader narrative of Israel’s return from exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hariph appears in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah, marking a specific family among those who returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem. While we may not know the exact meaning of his personal name, its presence in these lists reminds us that God remembers individuals by name. History is not just about kings and prophets; it is built by ordinary families who showed up to restore their community.
Hariph also appears as a signatory on the covenant renewal in Nehemiah 10:19. This detail shows that spiritual restoration was not left to leaders alone but involved the whole people committing together. His signature represents a personal choice to stand with God and his neighbors, highlighting the value of faithful participation in community life.
These brief mentions invite us to consider our own place in God’s story. Just as Hariph contributed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, your steady faithfulness matters in the present day. You are known by name, and your commitment to others strengthens the whole body of believers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hariph1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָרִ֔יף1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 7:24
The children of Hariph: one hundred twelve.
This verse records Hariph as a family head returning with Zerubbabel, confirming his role in the post-exilic restoration community.