חָרָשׁ, חֲרָשִׁים (cha.rash)
cha.rash
artificer
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun charash refers to a skilled artisan or craftsman who shapes materials with specialized tools. In the Hebrew Bible it covers a range of trades, from engraving stones for priestly garments (Exodus 28:11) to working with iron and wood in construction (Isaiah 44:12–13). The word emphasizes technical proficiency rather than general labor.
Its usage extends beyond manual skill into metaphorical territory. Ezekiel 21:36 describes warriors as "artificers of destruction," applying the term’s sense of deliberate shaping to violence. This figurative use highlights how charash implies purposeful creation or dismantling, whether in building a temple or waging war.
Translators render charash variously as smith, carpenter, mason, or workman depending on context. The diversity reflects the word’s broad application to any expert who transforms raw material into functional form. Its presence in Chronicles and Kings often marks organized labor for royal projects, while prophetic books like Isaiah use it to contrast human craftsmanship with divine power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word charash describes more than just manual labor; it points to a person shaped by wisdom and skill to bring order from raw materials. In the ancient world, these artisans were essential for building homes, crafting sacred garments, and maintaining the temple. This reflects a deep truth about human work: when we use our talents with care, we participate in the creative rhythm of God’s world.
Yet the Bible also uses this term to remind us of our limits. Prophets like Isaiah contrast the careful work of the charash with the infinite power of the Creator. The artisan shapes stone and wood, but only God shapes history and hearts. Recognizing this distinction helps us value our own contributions without claiming ultimate control over outcomes.
In your daily life, this word invites you to view your tasks as opportunities for faithful stewardship. Whether you are solving a problem at work or caring for your family, you are shaping something tangible with the gifts you have been given. Trust that these small acts of skill and diligence matter deeply to God, who honors the hands that build with integrity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a craftsman8×
- and/ craftsmen of5×
- craftsmen3×
- to the/ craftsmen2×
- and/ the/ craftsman2×
- and/ craftsmen2×
- an engraver2×
- a craftsman of2×
- the/ craftsmen1×
- the/ craftsman1×
- craftsmen of1×
- and/ to the/ craftsmen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָרָ֖שׁ3×
- חָרָ֣שׁ2×
- חָרָ֔שׁ2×
- וְ/חָרָשֵׁ֣י2×
- לֶ/חָֽרָשִׁים֙1×
- לֶ/חָ֣רָשִׁ֔ים1×
- לְ/חָרָשֵׁ֤י1×
- חָרָשֵׁ֖י1×
- חָרָשִׁ֖ים1×
- חָרָשִׁ֑ים1×
- חָרָשׁ֙1×
- חָרָ֤שׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.
This verse highlights that true craftsmanship is rooted in divine wisdom, showing that skill is a spiritual gift rather than merely human ability.
-
Isaiah 40:19
A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it.
Here the charash is contrasted with God to show the futility of idols, emphasizing that while artisans are skilled, they cannot create life or power.
-
Isaiah 44:12
The blacksmith takes an ax, works in the coals, fashions it with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. He is hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water, and is faint.
The description of the blacksmith working in the coals illustrates the physical toll and dedication required for skilled labor, grounding the abstract concept in real effort.
-
II Chronicles 24:12
The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of Yahweh’s house. They hired masons and carpenters to restore Yahweh’s house, and also those who worked iron and bronze to repair Yahweh’s house.
This passage shows artisans collaborating to restore God’s house, demonstrating how specialized skills unite to serve a common sacred purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word charash mean?
How is charash different from a general worker?
Why does the Bible mention craftsmen in prophetic books?
Every Occurrence (31 verses across 12 books)
Exodus 3 verses
With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to…
Exodus 35:35He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and…
Exodus 38:23With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an…