חָרַק
𐤇𐤓𐤒
châraq
H2786 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To grind, gnash, or grate the teeth—describing the physical act of forcefully bringing the upper and lower teeth together, often in anger, distress, threat, or contempt. It is used both literally (as a physical gesture) and metaphorically (to express intense emotion, especially hostility or derision).
Semantic Range
to gnash the teeth, to grate, to grind the teeth (in anger, hostility, or contempt); to make a grinding sound (metaphoric); to display animosity or threat through tooth-gnashing
Root / Etymology
From the root ח־ר־ק, whose core meaning is to grind or scrape. The verb חָרַק derives directly from this root and represents the act of grinding or grating, most commonly associated with the teeth. This root is attested only in forms related to grinding or gnashing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָרַק is a rare verb in the Hebrew Bible, attested chiefly in poetic or emotional contexts (e.g., Psalm 35:16; 37:12; Lamentations 2:16; Job 16:9), typically describing a hostile or contemptuous act ("they gnash their teeth at him"). The physical gesture symbolizes animosity, threat, or ridicule, rather than pain (as in some later uses of 'gnash teeth' to express agony). Unlike more common verbs for grinding grain (e.g., טָחַן), חָרַק specifically targets the teeth and emotional connotation. Later Jewish literature and some Greek translations (LXX 'βρυγμός') reflect this interpretation, sometimes broadening to extreme distress or anger. Modern English translations typically render this as 'gnash,' but this can obscure the performative and intentional facet of the gesture in ancient Israelite contexts, where it served as an expressive social signal rather than a spontaneous reaction to suffering. The term does not become prominent in later Jewish usage, having very limited post-biblical attestation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to grate the teeth; gnash.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חרק (ḥ-r-q) — to grind, to scrape, to gnash
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2786-04 |
וְ/חֹרֵ֖ק | vechoreq | HC/Vqrmsa |
and gnashes | gnashing one | 1 |
H2786-02 |
חָרֹ֖ק | charoq | HVqa |
they gnashed | to gnash the teeth | 1 |
H2786-03 |
וַ/יַּֽחַרְקוּ | vayacharequ | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they gnashed | and they gnashed | 1 |
H2786-05 |
יַחֲרֹ֣ק | yacharoq | HVqi3ms |
he will gnash | he will gnash | 1 |
H2786-01 |
חָרַ֣ק | charaq | HVqp3ms |
he gnashes | he ground his teeth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2786-02 |
Psalms 35:16 | חָרֹ֖ק | charoq | HVqa |
they gnashed | to gnash the teeth |
H2786-04 |
Psalms 37:12 | וְ/חֹרֵ֖ק | vechoreq | HC/Vqrmsa |
and gnashes | gnashing one |
H2786-05 |
Psalms 112:10 | יַחֲרֹ֣ק | yacharoq | HVqi3ms |
he will gnash | he will gnash |
H2786-01 |
Job 16:9 | חָרַ֣ק | charaq | HVqp3ms |
he gnashes | he ground his teeth |
H2786-03 |
Lamentations 2:16 | וַ/יַּֽחַרְקוּ | vayacharequ | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they gnashed | and they gnashed |