חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת (cha.ro.shet)
cha.ro.shet
carving
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun charosheth refers to the act or result of carving and skilled craftsmanship. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only twice, both within the detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle in Exodus. Here, the word describes the intricate work required to shape materials like wood, stone, and metal for sacred use.
Its presence in Exodus 28:11 and 39:6 highlights the importance of artistic precision in worship. These verses specify that charosheth was used to engrave the names of Israel’s tribes on the high priest’s breastpiece and ephod. This usage underscores that religious devotion involved not just ritual, but also the dedication of human skill and artistry to God’s service.
Though rare, the word connects the physical act of carving with spiritual significance. It suggests that beauty and detail in sacred objects were valued as expressions of reverence. The text does not elaborate on the techniques used, but the repeated emphasis on this skilled work points to its importance in ancient Israelite worship practices.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word charosheth appears only twice in Scripture, both times within the detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle. It refers to the act of carving or engraving, specifically describing the skilled work required to shape materials like wood and stone for sacred use. This rare term highlights that God values artistic precision and human craftsmanship when it comes to worship.
In Exodus 28:11 and 39:6, charosheth is used to describe how the names of Israel’s tribes were engraved on the high priest’s breastpiece and ephod. This shows that religious devotion involved not just ritual, but also the dedication of human skill and artistry to God’s service. Beauty and detail in sacred objects were valued as expressions of reverence.
Though rare, this word connects the physical act of carving with spiritual significance. It suggests that our own skills, talents, and careful attention to detail can be offered to God as acts of worship. Just as skilled artisans dedicated their craft to the Tabernacle, we too can bring our unique abilities into service for His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ in/ carving of4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בַ/חֲרֹ֥שֶׁת2×
- וּ/בַ/חֲרֹ֣שֶׁת2×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 31:5
and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship.
This verse lists charosheth alongside cutting stones and working in wood, showing it as a distinct skilled craft required for Tabernacle construction.
-
Exodus 35:33
in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship.
Here the term is paired with skillful workmanship, emphasizing that carving was considered a special gift given by God to artisans.