חָרַשׁ (cha.rash)
cha.rash
to plow/plot; be quiet
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 59 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chāraš carries two distinct meanings that appear across the Old Testament: to plow or engrave, and to be silent or deaf. In its active sense, it describes the physical act of cutting into a surface, whether tilling soil for planting or carving designs into stone. This imagery of deliberate, forceful work appears in passages where Zion is described as being plowed like a field (Jeremiah 26:18), suggesting a harsh but necessary preparation.
The second meaning focuses on the absence of response. It often depicts God remaining silent when people pray, or individuals becoming speechless and deaf to instruction. This usage is frequent in poetic books like Job and Psalms, where the tension between divine silence and human pleading is central. The word captures a heavy stillness that can feel like judgment or profound waiting.
Though these meanings seem unrelated, they share a root concept of making an impression. Just as a plow leaves a furrow in the earth or a chisel marks stone, silence leaves an impact on the listener. Both senses involve a powerful action that changes the state of things, whether by shaping the land or halting speech.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chāraš carries two distinct threads in Scripture: the physical act of plowing or engraving, and the profound state of being silent or still. In Genesis, we see it used for Tubal Cain’s craft, while in Psalms and Job, it describes a heavy quietness that can feel like judgment or waiting. These meanings are not unrelated; both involve making an impression. Just as a plow leaves a furrow in the earth, silence can leave a deep mark on the listener.
When you encounter this word in passages where God remains silent, it is easy to feel abandoned. Yet, this stillness is often a space for preparation rather than rejection. In Exodus 14:14, Moses hears that Yahweh will fight while the people remain still. This suggests that silence can be an act of trust, allowing God to work in ways we cannot see.
For your faith life, this word invites you to find peace in both action and rest. Whether you are working hard like the plowman or waiting in quiet hope, your efforts and your stillness matter to God. It reminds us that God is at work even when the answer seems delayed, shaping our hearts through seasons of both labor and silence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 59 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- keep quiet3×
- devisers of3×
- and/ they kept silent3×
- I will keep silent3×
- you be silent2×
- it will be plowed2×
- be silent2×
- and/ they were silent2×
- you will plow1×
- you will keep quiet/ !1×
- you will keep quiet1×
- you will be silent/ !1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֹ֣רְשֵׁי4×
- חֹרֵ֣שׁ2×
- הַחֲרֵ֣שׁ2×
- הַ֝חֲרֵ֗שׁ2×
- אַחֲרִ֑ישׁ2×
- תַּחֲרֹ֣שׁ1×
- תַּחֲרֵ֣שׁ1×
- תַּחֲרִישֽׁוּ/ן\׃\ \פ1×
- תַּחֲרִישִׁי֮1×
- תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּ/ן1×
- תַּחֲרִ֕ישׁ1×
- תֶּחֱרַֽשְׁנָה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 14:14
Yahweh will fight for you, and you shall be still.”
This verse uses the word to command stillness, highlighting that divine action often requires human restraint rather than frantic effort.
-
Genesis 24:21
The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.
Here it describes Abraham’s servant waiting quietly for God’s guidance, showing silence as a posture of seeking divine direction.
-
Job 13:5
Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
Job challenges his friends to be completely silent, using the word to emphasize that true wisdom often involves listening rather than speaking.
-
Esther 4:14
For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Mordecai warns Esther that if she remains silent at her appointed time, deliverance will come from elsewhere, linking silence to missed purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chāraš mean in the Old Testament?
Why is silence associated with God in this word?
How is this word different from other words for silence?
Does this word appear in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (59 verses across 20 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister…
Genesis 24:21The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.
Genesis 34:5Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held…