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חָרַץ

𐤇𐤓𐤑

chârats

H2782 verb

SILEX Entry

Root חרץ to cut, to sharpen, to decide, to decree

Definition

To cut, inscribe, or make a sharp distinction; primarily signifies to make a decision or to determine with resolve, reflecting an act of mental or verbal determination; can also indicate physically wounding or maiming. Frequently used figuratively to denote the issuance of a decree or a definitive pronouncement, whether by a human authority or by the divine, sometimes connoting irrevocability or firmness.

Semantic Range

to cut or wound sharply (physically), to incise, to make a sharp distinction, to decide with resolution, to issue a decree or determination, to bestir oneself, to move energetically, to maim

Root / Etymology

Root חָרַץ (חרץ), meaning 'to cut, sharpen, or be decisive.' Derived from the notion of making a sharp or distinct incision or mark, which then metaphorically extends to the idea of making a decision or issuing a decree as an act that 'cuts off' deliberation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, חָרַץ is rare in its literal sense of 'to wound' or 'to cut sharply,' appearing more commonly in figurative senses, particularly in poetic and prophetic texts. The verb is often employed to describe the act of deciding or decreeing, especially by an authority figure (e.g., a king), or by the divine. In later Hebrew, the root maintains these core ideas of sharpness and decision. The noun forms derived from this root (e.g., חֶרֶץ, 'sharp instrument' or 'decision/decree') reinforce the conceptual link between 'cutting' or 'sharpness' and mental decisiveness. English translations often render figurative uses as 'determine' or 'decree,' but may obscure the underlying imagery of incision or sharpness. The semantic field partly overlaps with verbs such as גָּזַר (gazár, 'to cut, decide') but carries a greater emphasis on the decisiveness and sharp separation inherent in the action.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to point sharply, i.e. (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide; bestir self, decide, decree, determine, maim, move.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חרץ (ḥ-r-ṣ) — to cut, to sharpen, to decide, to decree

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2742 חֲרוּץ sharp-cutting sledges of
H2743 חָרוּץ determined one
H2757 חָרִיץ cut-slices of
H2783 חֲרַץ his vigor-loin
H2785 חַרְצַן from sharp grape-kernels

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2782-08 וְ/נֶחֱרָצָ֑ה venecheratsah HC/VNrfsa determined and being decreed 3
H2782-03 חָר֣וּץ charuts HVqsmsa is determined decreed one 2
H2782-06 נֶחֱרֶ֖צֶת necheretset HVNsfsa is determined decreed 1
H2782-04 חֲרוּצִ֨ים charutsim HVqsmpa determined decisive ones 1
H2782-09 יֶֽחֱרַץ yecherats HVqi3ms will sharpen he will decide firmly 1
H2782-01 חָרַ֞ץ charats HVqp3ms sharpened he decisively determined 1
H2782-05 נֶחֱרָצָ֖ה necheratsah HVNsfsa that which is determined having been decreed 1
H2782-07 תֶּחֱרָ֑ץ techerats HVqi2ms you shall bestir yourself you will decide 1
H2782-02 חָרָֽצְתָּ charatseta HVqp2ms have decided you cut-determined 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2782-09 Exodus 11:7 יֶֽחֱרַץ yecherats HVqi3ms will sharpen he will decide firmly
H2782-03 Leviticus 22:22 חָר֣וּץ charuts HVqsmsa maimed decreed one
H2782-01 Joshua 10:21 חָרַ֞ץ charats HVqp3ms sharpened he decisively determined
H2782-07 2 Samuel 5:24 תֶּחֱרָ֑ץ techerats HVqi2ms you shall bestir yourself you will decide
H2782-02 1 Kings 20:40 חָרָֽצְתָּ charatseta HVqp2ms have decided you cut-determined
H2782-03 Isaiah 10:22 חָר֖וּץ charuts HVqsmsa is determined decreed one
H2782-08 Isaiah 10:23 וְ/נֶחֱרָצָ֑ה venecheratsah HC/VNrfsa and-determined and being decreed
H2782-08 Isaiah 28:22 וְ/נֶחֱרָצָ֜ה venecheratsah HC/VNrfsa determined and being decreed
H2782-04 Job 14:5 חֲרוּצִ֨ים charutsim HVqsmpa determined decisive ones
H2782-06 Daniel 9:26 נֶחֱרֶ֖צֶת necheretset HVNsfsa is determined decreed
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