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הֲרָרִי

𐤄𐤓𐤓𐤉

Harari

H2043 noun

SILEX Entry

Root הרר to be high, to mount up, to be elevated

Definition

An inhabitant of the hill country or mountains, especially referencing a geographic or tribal identification with a mountainous region. The term designates an individual known as 'the Hararite'—that is, someone whose origin is from a place or region identified as Harar or associated with mountains. The word is used as a descriptor of certain warriors in the military rosters of King David, indicating identity by geographic origin rather than family lineage.

Semantic Range

inhabitant of (the) mountain(s), mountaineer, person from Harar, individual associated with a mountainous region

Root / Etymology

From the root הרר (harar), meaning 'mountain' or 'hill.' The suffix -ִי (-î) denotes association or origin, thus forming 'of (the) mountain(s)' or 'mountain dweller.' The term structurally mirrors other Hebrew gentilics indicating origin or ethnicity attached to a place name or geographical feature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, הֲרָרִי (Hărârîy) occurs as an identifier in lists of elite warriors associated with David, such as Shammah the Hararite (2 Samuel 23:11) and Ahiam the Hararite (2 Samuel 23:34; 1 Chronicles 11:35). The precise location of 'Harar' is not specified in the biblical text, and it is uncertain whether it denotes a specific site or generally refers to the highlands. In these contexts, the term functions similarly to other gentilics (e.g., השִׂרְעָתִי 'the Shaalbonite'), signaling regional distinction. The designation reflects the common Israelite practice of identifying individuals by their place of origin, especially for military or clan lists. English translations sometimes render הֲרָרִי simply as 'Hararite' or 'mountaineer,' but the term's primary function is as a geographic identifier rather than a description of lifestyle. The translation 'Hararite' preserves the ambiguity regarding whether 'Harar' is a proper place name or a general reference to mountains.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or הָרָרִי; (2 Samuel 23:11), or הָארָרִי; (2 Samuel 23:34, last clause [), apparently from הָרָר; a mountaineer; {Hararite}; Hararite.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

הרר (h-r-r) — to be high, to mount up, to be elevated; mountain, hill-country

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2022 הַר mountain
H2033 הֲרוֹרִי the Harorite
H2042 הָרָר in mountains of
H7311 רוּם mountains

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2043-01 הַֽ/הֲרָרִ֔י haharari HTd/Ngmsa the Hararite the mountain-dweller 3
H2043-02 הָרָרִ֑י harari HNgmsa the Hararite mountain-man 2

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2043-02 2 Samuel 23:11 הָרָרִ֑י harari HNgmsa the Hararite mountain-man
H2043-01 2 Samuel 23:33 הַֽ/הֲרָרִ֔י haharari HTd/Ngmsa the Hararite the mountain-dweller
H2043-02 2 Samuel 23:33 הָארָרִֽי harari HNgmsa the Hararite mountain-man
H2043-01 1 Chronicles 11:34 הַ/הֲרָרִֽי haharari HTd/Ngmsa the Hararite the mountain-dweller
H2043-01 1 Chronicles 11:35 הַ/הֲרָרִ֖י haharari HTd/Ngmsa the Hararite the mountain-dweller
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