חֶ֫רֶשׁ (che.resh)
che.resh
silently; craftily
H:AdvQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Adv
Word Overview
The Hebrew word che.resh functions primarily as an adverb meaning "silently" or "secretly," describing actions taken with quiet intent to avoid detection. This usage appears in Joshua 2:1, where spies are described as exploring the land of Jericho secretly, emphasizing their need for discretion and stealth rather than open confrontation.
Interestingly, the same root also refers to a noun meaning "magic art" or "magician," particularly in Isaiah 3:3. Here it describes skilled practitioners of occult arts who served as advisors in times of crisis. The connection between these two senses lies in the idea of hidden knowledge or power—whether it is the quiet movement of spies or the concealed practices of sorcerers, che.resh points to what is done out of sight.
This duality reveals how ancient Hebrew thought linked secrecy with both tactical advantage and forbidden wisdom. The word’s limited appearance in Scripture—only twice in total—suggests it was not a common term but carried significant weight when used. Its presence in both historical narrative and prophetic critique shows that silence could serve either survival or deception, depending on context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word che.resh describes actions taken in silence or with hidden intent. In Joshua 2:1, spies move secretly to view the land, showing that discretion can be a necessary tool for survival. Here, quietness is not about deceit but about careful planning and protection.
Yet this same root appears in Isaiah 3:3 to describe those who practice magic arts. The connection lies in hidden knowledge—power used out of sight. This duality reminds us that silence itself is neutral; it depends on the heart behind it. We are called to walk in the light, where our motives and actions are clear before God.
When we face difficult situations, we can trust that God sees what is hidden. He values integrity over stealth. Let us seek wisdom that comes from Him, rather than relying on secret schemes or forbidden shortcuts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- secretly1×
- magic arts1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֶ֣רֶשׁ1×
- חֲרָשִׁ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 2:1
Joshua the son of Nun secretly sent two men out of Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, including Jericho.” They went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and slept there.
This verse shows che.resh used for tactical secrecy in a mission of survival, highlighting discretion as a practical necessity rather than moral failure.
-
Isaiah 3:3
the captain of fifty, the honorable man, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.
Here the word describes occult practitioners, linking secrecy with forbidden knowledge and warning against relying on hidden powers instead of God.