חָרַק (cha.raq)
cha.raq
to grind
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb cha.raq describes the physical act of grinding or gnashing the teeth. It appears only five times in the Old Testament, clustered in poetic books like Psalms, Lamentations, and Job. This rarity suggests it was reserved for moments of intense emotional pressure rather than casual speech.
Its primary nuance is one of hostility, rage, or despair. When enemies gnash their teeth at a righteous person, they express bitter opposition (Psalm 37:12). In Lamentations, the grinding sound mirrors the devastation of Jerusalem, where distress turns into a visceral, audible anger (Lamentations 2:16). It is not merely a facial expression but a loud, aggressive display of frustration.
The word captures a raw, human reaction to powerlessness or threat. Translators often render it as "gnash" to preserve this violent imagery. Unlike words for quiet sorrow, cha.raq implies an outward, noisy conflict, marking the boundary between internal pain and external aggression in biblical poetry.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word cha.raq describes the sharp, audible sound of teeth grinding in rage or despair. In the Old Testament, it appears only five times, always marking moments of intense emotional pressure rather than casual annoyance. When enemies gnash their teeth at the righteous, they are not just frowning; they are expressing bitter, hostile opposition that seeks to intimidate or destroy.
Seeing this imagery in Job or the Psalms can feel unsettling, yet it validates our own experiences of unfair treatment. It reminds us that hostility from others is often a reflection of their own inner turmoil and powerlessness, not a verdict on your worth. The biblical writers did not shy away from this raw human reaction, showing God as fully aware of the noise and violence directed against His people.
Instead of trying to silence the anger around you, this word invites you to anchor your peace in God’s justice. Whether you face mockery or malicious plotting, you are seen by a God who understands the weight of such aggression. There is comfort in knowing that the loud noises of opposition do not go unnoticed, and that ultimate vindication belongs to Him alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they gnashed1×
- he will gnash1×
- he has gnashed1×
- and/ they have gnashed1×
- and/ [is] gnashing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַחֲרֹ֣ק1×
- חָרֹ֖ק1×
- חָרַ֣ק1×
- וַ/יַּֽחַרְקוּ\־1×
- וְ/חֹרֵ֖ק1×
Key Verses
-
Job 16:9
He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
This verse illustrates how personal suffering can be accompanied by the visceral aggression of an adversary who perceives pain as weakness.
-
Psalms 37:12
The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
Here the gnashing teeth represent the futile rage of the wicked against the just, highlighting that their hostility stems from jealousy rather than justice.
-
Psalms 112:10
The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.
This occurrence shifts the focus to the wicked person’s own despair, showing that their aggressive display is ultimately a sign of their own fading influence.