חַדְרָךְ
𐤇𐤃𐤓𐤊
Chaderakhe
H2317 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name designating a place, region, or possibly a deity referenced in a prophetic context. In biblical usage, Hadrach refers to a geographic region or polity, likely located in northern Syria, that was subject to or associated with the influence of Damascus in the time of the Hebrew prophets. The specific semantic reference is to a place name, rather than a personal or divine name, although the association with a deity has been suggested in some traditions.
Semantic Range
proper name (geographic region in Syria), possibly name of a local deity, name of a polity adjacent to Damascus
Root / Etymology
etymology uncertain. The word חַדְרָךְ does not correspond with any known Hebrew root, and has not been securely connected to a Semitic root with a well-attested meaning. Various theories propose connections with similar-sounding toponyms or deities in Akkadian or Aramaic sources, but none are definitive.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term חַדְרָךְ (Hadrach) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (Zechariah 9:1), in a prophecy concerning the regions north of Israel. The mention suggests a location or polity in proximity to Damascus, possibly part of the Hellenistic-era Syrian cultural sphere or earlier Aramean kingdoms. Some ancient versions and interpreters identified Hadrach as a deity, reading the word as a divine name, but this usage is not otherwise attested in the Hebrew Bible or securely in extrabiblical sources. Most modern scholarship regards חַדְרָךְ as a toponym, though its precise location remains debated. Standard English translations (e.g., KJV, RSV, NIV) render the word as 'Hadrach,' following the Hebrew, but often note uncertainty regarding the identification. The Vulgate and Septuagint transmit the name as a proper noun without interpretation. The semantic range is therefore limited to its usage as a geographic or political designation, possibly reflecting local or regional identities within ancient Syria rather than exclusively Israelite or Judahite concerns.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; Chadrak, a Syrian deity; Hadrach.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
uncertain (uncertain) — uncertain (proper place name; possibly regional or cultic designation)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
| H1114 | בִּלְשָׁן | Bilshan |
| H1150 | בִּנְעָא | Bin'a |
| H116 | אֱדַיִן | and then |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2317-01 |
חַדְרָ֔ךְ | chaderakhe | HNp |
of Hadrach | Hadrach | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2317-01 |
Zechariah 9:1 | חַדְרָ֔ךְ | chaderakhe | HNp |
of Hadrach | Hadrach |