חֶ֫רֶס (che.res)
che.res
sun; itch
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun cheres refers to a painful skin condition, typically translated as "itch" or described as an eruptive disease. It appears in only three verses in the Old Testament, carrying a heavy weight of physical suffering and divine judgment rather than describing a common ailment.
In Deuteronomy 28:27, Moses lists cheres among the curses that will befall Israel if they abandon the covenant. Here it stands alongside boils and scabs as a visible sign of affliction. The text uses this specific term to illustrate how sin can manifest in tangible, humiliating bodily harm.
The word also appears in Job 2:7, where Satan strikes Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. In this context, cheres represents the extreme depth of human suffering and the breakdown of physical integrity. It serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the human body when subjected to severe trial.
Scholars note that while some translations render it simply as "sun," the broader biblical usage points toward a disease state. The focus remains on the distress caused by the condition, highlighting how physical pain often intersects with spiritual realities in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word cheres describes a severe, painful skin condition that leaves no room for hiding. In Deuteronomy 28:27, it stands as one of the curses for breaking covenant with God, marking a visible sign of affliction and humiliation. This is not a minor rash but a deep wound that exposes our vulnerability before the Almighty.
Job 2:7 shows this same word when Satan strikes Job with painful sores from head to foot. Here, the physical pain intersects with spiritual reality, reminding us that suffering can strip away our comfort and pride. Yet even in this brokenness, Job’s story points to a God who sees and sustains.
When we face trials that leave us raw and exposed, we are not alone. Scripture does not promise immunity from pain, but it does promise presence. Your suffering is seen, and your hope rests in the One who heals and restores.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to the/ sun1×
- the/ sun/ <towards>1×
- and/ with <the>/ scabies1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ֭/חֶרֶס1×
- וּ/בֶ/חָ֑רֶס1×
- הַ/חַ֔רְסָ/ה1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 28:27
Yahweh will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with the tumors, with the scurvy, and with the itch, of which you can not be healed.
This verse lists cheres among covenant curses, showing how disobedience can lead to visible, humiliating physical affliction.