תֵּל חַרְשָׁא (tel char.sah)
tel char.sah
Tel-harsha
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The place name Tel-harsha, appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible within Ezra and Nehemiah, translates roughly to "mound of the deaf mute." It identifies a specific town in Babylonia from which exiles returned to Jerusalem. The sources indicate it was likely situated in the low-lying region near the sea, marking it as a distinct geographic point in the diaspora community.
Its etymology offers a curious glimpse into local naming conventions. While "tel" commonly denotes an artificial mound or settlement site, the second element refers to a mute person. This suggests the location might have been known for a particular landmark, perhaps a statue or a story involving someone who could not speak, which locals used to distinguish this settlement from others in the region.
Though brief, the mention of Tel-harsha anchors the post-exilic narrative in real geography. It reminds readers that the returnees came from specific, named communities across the empire, not just a vague "Babylon." The name itself serves as a historical artifact, preserving a local identifier for a place now lost to time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Tel-harsha appears in the lists of those who returned from exile, anchoring the biblical narrative in specific geography. This name reminds us that faith is lived out in real places by real people. The returnees came from distinct communities, each with its own identity and history.
When we read these names today, we see God’s care for individuals across vast empires. They are not just statistics but part of a larger story of restoration. Your own journey, too, is known and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tel2×
- Harsha2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תֵּ֣ל2×
- חַרְשָׁ֔א2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:59
These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses and their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
This verse lists Tel-harsha among towns from which exiles returned, highlighting its role in the post-exilic community.
-
Nehemiah 7:61
These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
The repetition of Tel-harsha here reinforces its significance as a place of origin for those re-establishing Israel.