חֲרַךְ (cha.rakh)
cha.rakh
to singe
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Aramaic verb charakh means to singe or scorch, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Daniel 3:27. In this context, it describes the physical condition of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego after they emerged from the fiery furnace. The text notes that not even the smell of fire was on them, highlighting a miraculous preservation rather than mere survival.
This term is an Ithpaal form derived from the root charar, which carries the sense of scorching or piercing heat. While charar can imply boring or penetrating, charakh focuses specifically on the surface effect of burning. The use of this rare word underscores the supernatural nature of the event, distinguishing their untouched state from what one would expect after such intense exposure.
Translators often render this as "singe" or "burn," capturing the idea of superficial damage that did not take hold. The singular occurrence in Daniel emphasizes the uniqueness of the miracle. The word serves as a precise descriptor for the divine protection afforded to the faithful, marking them as untouched by the very element meant to destroy them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the furnace, the text notes that their hair was not singed. The Hebrew word here describes a superficial scorching, yet even that minor damage did not touch them. This detail highlights more than simple survival; it points to a complete preservation by God in the midst of intense trial.
You may face seasons where pressure feels overwhelming, like heat pressing against your skin. In those moments, remember that God’s protection is not always the removal of difficulty, but His presence within it. The story reminds us that faithfulness does not guarantee an easy path, but it does promise that you are held securely by Him.
This assurance offers peace when circumstances seem too hot to bear. You are not alone in your struggles, and God sees your steadfastness. May you find comfort in knowing that He preserves those who trust in Him, bringing them through fire with His grace intact.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it was singed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִתְחָרַ֔ךְ1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 3:27
The local governors, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies. The hair of their head wasn’t singed. Their pants weren’t changed. The smell of fire wasn’t even on them.
The term specifically describes the hair not being singed, emphasizing that even superficial damage from the extreme heat was absent due to divine protection.