← H2741 H2743 →

חֲרוּץ

𐤇𐤓𐤅𐤑

Charuts

H2742 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חרץ to cut, incise, sharpen, decide

Definition

(adj./n.masc./n.fem.) incised, sharp, pointed; (n.) a threshing-sledge (a heavy wooden instrument with sharp stones or metal for threshing grain); trench or ditch (as something cut or excavated); (n.masc. singular) gold (as precious material separated/mined by cutting); (fig.) decisive or determined (as in decision or resolve). The term conveys the idea of sharpness, incisiveness, or something distinguished by separation or decisiveness, with extended metaphorical usage to express determination or firmly set will.

Semantic Range

threshing-sledge, pointed/sharp tool, trench, ditch, gold (as mined/extracted), determination, resolve, decision, diligence, sharpness, pointed things

Root / Etymology

From the root חָרַץ meaning 'to cut, sharpen, decide'. The participial form חֲרוּץ conveys something that has been cut, sharpened, or actively incised. The different derived senses relate to an object that is literally sharp or incisive (threshing-sledge, pointed tool), something that is dug or cut out (trench, ditch), and by extension, an idea or decision that is sharply defined or resolute (determination, decision). As a designation for gold, it likely refers to the precious material as something laboriously extracted (cut out or mined).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In early Israelite literature, חֲרוּץ often refers literally to physical tools for agriculture (threshing-sledge) or construction (trenches, pointed implements), emphasizing their sharp or incising qualities. The sense 'gold' is attested primarily in poetic and prophetic texts, especially in Proverbs and Psalms, where it denotes not the color but the precious material valued for its refinement (possibly referencing gold separated by smelting or mining — 'cut out' from the earth). The metaphorical extension to 'decision' or 'determination' (notably in Joel and Daniel) underscores firmness, irrevocability, or a will that is sharply set. English translations often split the senses across multiple words (e.g., 'gold,' 'threshing instrument,' 'decision') but rarely convey the link of incisiveness across all meanings. Unlike other Hebrew words for 'gold' (e.g., זָהָב), חֲרוּץ stresses origin/use rather than appearance. The term does not denote ethnic or religious identity and has no direct connection to later Judean concepts. In late biblical and post-biblical usage, context determines whether the focus is on a tool, trench, precious metal, or inner resolve.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or חָרֻץ; passive participle of חָרַץ; properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; also eager; decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

חרץ (ḥ-r-ṣ) — cutting, incising, sharpening, deciding

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2743 חָרוּץ determined one
H2757 חָרִיץ cut-slices of
H2782 חָרַץ he decisively determined
H2783 חֲרַץ his vigor-loin
H2785 חַרְצַן from sharp grape-kernels

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2742-02 חָר֣וּץ charuts HNcmsa sharp sharpened one 5
H2742-05 מֵ/חָר֥וּץ mecharuts HR/Ncmsa than gold from mined gold 3
H2742-07 בֶֽ/חָרוּץ֙ vecharuts HRd/Aamsa and-ditch sharp-cut 3
H2742-03 חָרוּצִ֣ים charutsim HAampa diligent decisive ones 3
H2742-04 הֶֽ/חָר֑וּץ hecharuts HTd/Np of-Decision the sharp one 2
H2742-06 וּ֝/מֵ/חָר֗וּץ umecharuts HC/R/Ncmsa and-than-fine-gold and from mined gold 1
H2742-01 בַּ/חֲרֻצ֥וֹת bacharutsot HR/Ncmpc with threshing sledges sharp-cutting sledges of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2742-07 Isaiah 28:27 בֶֽ/חָרוּץ֙ vecharuts HRd/Aamsa with-a-threshing-sledge sharp-cut
H2742-02 Isaiah 41:15 חָר֣וּץ charuts HNcmsa sharp sharpened one
H2742-04 Joel 4:14 הֶֽ/חָר֑וּץ hecharuts HTd/Np of-Decision the sharp one
H2742-04 Joel 4:14 הֶ/חָרֽוּץ hecharuts-2 HTd/Np of-Decision the sharp one
H2742-01 Amos 1:3 בַּ/חֲרֻצ֥וֹת bacharutsot HR/Ncmpc with threshing sledges sharp-cutting sledges of
H2742-07 Zechariah 9:3 וְ/חָר֖וּץ vecharuts HC/Ncmsa fine gold sharp-cut
H2742-02 Psalms 68:14 חָרֽוּץ charuts HNcmsa shining sharpened one
H2742-06 Proverbs 3:14 וּ֝/מֵ/חָר֗וּץ umecharuts HC/R/Ncmsa and-than-fine-gold and from mined gold
H2742-05 Proverbs 8:10 מֵ/חָר֥וּץ mecharuts HR/Ncmsa rather than choicest from mined gold
H2742-05 Proverbs 8:19 מֵ/חָר֣וּץ mecharuts HR/Ncmsa than gold from mined gold
← H2741 Hebrew Lexicon H2743 →