חֵ֫רֶם (che.rem)
che.rem
devoted thing; net
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun cherem denotes something set apart for complete destruction or dedicated exclusively to God. In the Old Testament, it most frequently appears in the book of Joshua to describe items or people that were placed under a ban and could not be taken as plunder. This concept signifies a total separation from ordinary use, often involving the utter loss of life or property as an act of judgment or consecration.
The word carries a dual nuance: it refers both to the state of being devoted to destruction and, less commonly, to a net, likely because a net is perforated or set apart for catching. This second meaning appears in Habakkuk 1:15, where the prophet uses the image of a net to describe the Babylonian army’s method of capturing nations. The connection lies in the idea of something being caught and held fast, whether by divine decree or physical trap.
Translators often render cherem as "devoted thing" or "ban," which can be difficult for modern readers to grasp fully. It is not merely a curse but a specific theological category where something is removed from the common sphere entirely. This usage highlights the seriousness with which ancient Israel viewed holiness and judgment, seeing certain actions as requiring absolute finality rather than partial compliance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word cherem describes something set completely apart, removed from ordinary use to belong exclusively to God. In the Old Testament, this often meant items or people were devoted to destruction as a serious act of judgment or consecration. It signifies that some things cannot be treated casually or kept for personal gain. This concept highlights the absolute seriousness with which ancient Israel viewed holiness and obedience to divine commands.
For your faith today, cherem reminds us that God deserves our complete devotion. Just as certain items were removed from common use, we are called to offer our lives fully to Him without holding back parts for ourselves. This is not about fear but about recognizing the value of what belongs to God. When we give Him our best and our obedience, we acknowledge His rightful place in our hearts.
While the ancient context involved strict boundaries, the underlying principle remains relevant. It invites us to examine what we might be holding onto that should be surrendered to God. By letting go of things that compete for our ultimate loyalty, we create space for a deeper relationship with Him. This act of surrender brings peace and aligns our lives with His will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ devoted thing[s]6×
- in the/ devoted thing[s]3×
- devoted thing3×
- total destruction/ my2×
- with the/ devoted thing[s]1×
- to/ net/ his1×
- to <the>/ total destruction1×
- the/ object[s] for destruction1×
- net/ his1×
- into/ a devoted thing1×
- in/ net/ his1×
- devoted thing[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/חֵ֔רֶם3×
- הַ/חֵ֑רֶם3×
- חֶרְמִ֖/י2×
- חֵ֥רֶם2×
- הַ/חֵ֖רֶם2×
- בַּ/חֵ֔רֶם2×
- לַ/חֵ֙רֶם֙1×
- לְ/חֶרְמ֔/וֹ1×
- לְ/חֵ֔רֶם1×
- לְ/חֵ֑רֶם1×
- חֶרְמ֑/וֹ1×
- חֵֽרֶם\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against the children of Israel.
This verse shows the immediate consequence of violating the ban, as Achan's secret sin caused God's anger to burn against the entire nation.
-
Leviticus 27:28
“‘Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man devotes to Yahweh of all that he has, whether of man or animal, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed. Everything that is permanently devoted is most holy to Yahweh.
Here the word defines the highest level of holiness, stating that anything permanently devoted to Yahweh cannot be sold or redeemed.
-
Habakkuk 1:15
He takes up all of them with the hook. He catches them in his net and gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore he rejoices and is glad.
This occurrence uses the secondary meaning of 'net' to illustrate how the Babylonian army captured nations, linking physical trapping to divine judgment.
-
Joshua 6:17
The city shall be devoted, even it and all that is in it, to Yahweh. Only Rahab the prostitute shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
The city of Jericho is described as devoted to Yahweh, showing that total destruction was an act of worship and obedience rather than mere violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cherem mean in the Bible?
Is cherem the same as a curse?
Why does Habakkuk use cherem for a net?
How does cherem apply to Christians today?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 12 books)
Leviticus 3 verses
but the field, when it goes out in the Jubilee, shall be holy to Yahweh, as a devoted field. It shall be owned by the…
Leviticus 27:28“‘Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man devotes to Yahweh of all that he has, whether of man or animal, or of…
Leviticus 27:29“‘No one devoted to destruction, who shall be devoted from among men, shall be ransomed. He shall surely be put to…