חֶרֶב
𐤇𐤓𐤁
chereb
H2719 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sharp-edged weapon or tool, primarily used for cutting or slashing; in most biblical contexts, specifically a sword. Also used more generally for any bladed instrument, such as a dagger or knife. Figuratively, it may denote violence or destruction, particularly in reference to military conflict or divine judgment.
Semantic Range
sword, bladed weapon, dagger, knife, sharp cutting tool, implement of destruction, symbol of violence or judgment, instrument of killing
Root / Etymology
Root: חָרַב (ḥ-r-b), meaning 'to dry up, waste, lay waste.' The noun חֶרֶב (ḥereb) derives from this root, originally connoting something that causes destruction or ruin, later applied specifically to bladed implements of destruction, especially the sword.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֶרֶב occurs frequently in the Hebrew Bible as the standard word for 'sword,' the primary bladed weapon of ancient Near Eastern warfare. While its basic meaning is 'sword,' contextually it can denote other cutting implements, though rarely. The term is often used figuratively for violence, destruction, and devastation, especially in prophetic literature where 'the sword' symbolizes war, judgment, or death. In patriarchal and monarchic narratives, חֶרֶב is typically the weapon of an Israelite or enemy warrior in battle. In legal or cultic contexts, it may refer to a knife or sharp tool used for sacrificial purposes, though other terms (e.g., מאכלת, machélet) are also used. English 'sword' generally conveys the proper sense, but occasional translation as 'knife' or 'blade' may also be appropriate depending on context. The term should be distinguished from other weapon terms like רֹמַח (romach, 'spear') and קֶשֶׁת (qeshet, 'bow'). The use of חֶרֶב to symbolize judgment continues into post-exilic and later Jewish writings, and in translations sometimes is rendered 'sword' even when used metaphorically. The English 'sword' is sometimes retrojected as a symbol of later religious or judicial authority, but in biblical usage חֶרֶב is primarily a practical or military object.
Translation Consistency
חֶרֶב is most commonly and naturally rendered as “sword” in Biblical contexts. “Sword” clearly conveys the primary sense (a bladed weapon) while also functioning idiomatically for figurative uses (violence, judgment). It is the overwhelmingly dominant English rendering in the P2 data and will produce the most natural, consistent translation across all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
חרב (ḥ-r-b) — to dry up, destroy, lay waste
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2717 | חָרַב | I will make desolate |
| H2718 | חֲרַב | was laid waste |
| H2720 | חָרֵב | destroying blade |
| H2721 | חֹרֶב | parched desolation |
| H2722 | חֹרֵב | in Dry-Place |
Word Forms
41 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2719-22 |
חֶ֥רֶב | cherev | HNcfsa |
sword | blade of destruction | sword | 118 |
H2719-02 |
בַּ/חֶ֔רֶב | bacherev | HRd/Ncfsa |
by the sword | by the sword | with the sword | 54 |
H2719-18 |
חָֽרֶב | charev | HNcfsa |
the sword | destroying blade | the sword | 48 |
H2719-23 |
הַ/חֶ֨רֶב֙ | hacherev | HTd/Ncfsa |
the sword | the destroying blade | the sword | 26 |
H2719-05 |
בֶּ/חָ֑רֶב | becharev | HRd/Ncfsa |
with the sword | with a destroying blade | with a sword | 20 |
H2719-17 |
חַרְבּ֔/וֹ | charebo | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his sword | his destroying blade | his sword | 18 |
H2719-40 |
וְ/חֶ֖רֶב | vecherev | HC/Ncfsa |
and sword | and destroying blade | and sword | 17 |
H2719-16 |
חַרְבִּ֔/י | charebi | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my sword | my destroying blade | my sword | 11 |
H2719-34 |
בַ/חֶ֔רֶב | vacherev | HRd/Ncfsa |
with the sword | with the destroying blade | with the sword | 10 |
H2719-30 |
מֵ/חֶ֥רֶב | mecherev | HR/Ncfsc |
from the sword | from a bladed destroyer | from the sword | 9 |
Occurrences in Scripture
413 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2719-23 |
Genesis 3:24 | הַ/חֶ֨רֶב֙ | hacherev | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the sword | the destroying blade | the sword |
H2719-14 |
Genesis 27:40 | חַרְבְּ/ךָ֣ | charebekha | HNcfsc/Sp2ms |
your sword | your destroying-blade | your sword |
H2719-18 |
Genesis 31:26 | חָֽרֶב | charev | HNcfsa |
of the sword | destroying blade | of the sword |
H2719-17 |
Genesis 34:25 | חַרְבּ֔/וֹ | charebo | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his sword | his destroying blade | his sword |
H2719-18 |
Genesis 34:26 | חָ֑רֶב | charev | HNcfsa |
the sword | destroying blade | the sword |
H2719-04 |
Genesis 48:22 | בְּ/חַרְבִּ֖/י | becharebi | HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs |
with my sword | with my sword | with my sword |
H2719-39 |
Exodus 5:3 | בֶ/חָֽרֶב | vecharev | HRd/Ncfsa |
with the sword | with a sword | with a sword |
H2719-22 |
Exodus 5:21 | חֶ֥רֶב | cherev | HNcfsa |
a sword | blade of destruction | a sword |
H2719-16 |
Exodus 15:9 | חַרְבִּ֔/י | charebi | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my sword | my destroying blade | my sword |
H2719-18 |
Exodus 17:13 | חָֽרֶב | charev | HNcfsa |
of the sword | destroying blade | the sword |