הָרָה
𐤄𐤓𐤄
hârâh
H2029 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become pregnant, to conceive (of a female), especially with respect to the bearing of offspring. In most contexts the term refers to the physical state of pregnancy, emphasizing the beginning of gestation. On rare occasions, it is used metaphorically in poetic or prophetic literature to indicate the inception or development of something (such as evil, suffering, or an idea).
Semantic Range
to become pregnant (of a woman), to conceive; to develop or incubate (metaphorically, as of an idea, evil, or suffering); to be with child
Root / Etymology
The root הָרָה derives from the triconsonantal root הרה, whose core meaning relates to pregnancy or conception. The actual lexical meaning developed specifically toward the state or process of becoming pregnant, as distinguished from more general terms for bearing or begetting.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb הָרָה is most often used for a woman conceiving a child (as in Genesis 4:1; Genesis 16:4), focusing on the initial act or event of conception rather than the entire period of gestation. In genealogical narratives, it signals the continuation of a lineage or the fulfillment of divine promise. Rare metaphorical uses appear in poetic passages, such as Isaiah 59:4, where the verb can allude to conceiving trouble or iniquity. In all contexts before the exile, the term applies almost exclusively to female conception, never to fatherhood or the male agent. Later Hebrew sometimes distinguishes more sharply between becoming pregnant and the act of birth, but in biblical texts הָרָה is distinct from verbs such as ילד (to bear, bring forth) and זרע (to sow, refer to male procreation). Standard English translations generally render the term as 'conceive' or 'become pregnant,' which captures its primary sense, though they may lose its emotion or narrative import in contexts emphasizing lineage or promised descendants.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively); been, be with child, conceive, progenitor.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
הרה (h-r-h) — to conceive, become pregnant
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2030 | הָרֶה | pregnant |
| H2031 | הַרְהֹר | and conceived thoughts |
| H2032 | הֵרוֹן | pregnancy |
Word Forms
15 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2029-12 |
וַ/תַּ֨הַר֙ | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she conceived | and she conceived | 28 |
H2029-01 |
הָרָ֔תָה | haratah | HVqp3fs |
she had conceived | she conceived | 2 |
H2029-15 |
וְ/הָרִ֖ית | veharit | HC/Vqp2fs |
you will conceive | you (fem.) have conceived | 1 |
H2029-04 |
הָר֥וֹ | haro | HVqa |
they conceive | to conceive | 1 |
H2029-06 |
הֹ֣רָה | horah | HVPp3ms |
'A man | was conceived | 1 |
H2029-11 |
תַּהֲר֥וּ | taharu | HVqi2mp |
you conceive | you will conceive | 1 |
H2029-08 |
הוֹרָתִֽ/י | horati | HVqrfsc/Sp1cs |
of her who conceived me | my conceiving-one | 1 |
H2029-13 |
וַֽ/תַּהֲרֶ֛יןָ | vatahareyna | HC/Vqw3fp |
became pregnant | and they conceived | 1 |
H2029-02 |
הָרִ֣ינוּ | harinu | HVqp1cp |
we have been pregnant | we conceived | 1 |
H2029-10 |
הֹר֧וֹ | horo | HVma |
conceiving | to fully conceive | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
43 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2029-12 |
Genesis 4:1 | וַ/תַּ֨הַר֙ | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she conceived | and she conceived |
H2029-12 |
Genesis 4:17 | וַ/תַּ֖הַר | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she conceived | and she conceived |
H2029-12 |
Genesis 16:4 | וַ/תַּ֑הַר | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she conceived | and she conceived |
H2029-01 |
Genesis 16:4 | הָרָ֔תָה | haratah | HVqp3fs |
she had conceived | she conceived |
H2029-01 |
Genesis 16:5 | הָרָ֔תָה | haratah | HVqp3fs |
she had conceived | she conceived |
H2029-13 |
Genesis 19:36 | וַֽ/תַּהֲרֶ֛יןָ | vatahareyna | HC/Vqw3fp |
became pregnant | and they conceived |
H2029-12 |
Genesis 21:2 | וַ/תַּהַר֩ | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she conceived | and she conceived |
H2029-12 |
Genesis 25:21 | וַ/תַּ֖הַר | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
conceived | and she conceived |
H2029-12 |
Genesis 29:32 | וַ/תַּ֤הַר | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she conceived | and she conceived |
H2029-12 |
Genesis 29:33 | וַ/תַּ֣הַר | vatahar | HC/Vqw3fs |
she conceived again | and she conceived |