← H2763 H2765 →

חֵרֶם

𐤇𐤓𐤌

chêrem

H2764 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ח־ר־ם to ban, prohibit, dedicate to destruction, exclude

Definition

A thing utterly set apart, irrevocably dedicated to the deity—primarily by means of prohibition, exclusion from ordinary use, or destruction. In profane contexts, the term also denotes a ban or that which is forbidden, and in some cases the physical objects or persons subject to this ban. Used most commonly for property, people, or places from enemy nations designated for destruction or exclusion as an irrevocable offering to YHWH. Secondary senses include objects consigned to destruction, places placed under ban, and items designated as off limits or separated from common use.

Semantic Range

ban, thing consecrated for destruction, object under irrevocable ban, destruction/devotion to deity by ban, prohibition, excluded thing, (in later usage) excommunicated person, dedicated offering (in the sense of exclusion)

Root / Etymology

From the root חָרַם (ḥāram), meaning 'to ban, prohibit, devote (to destruction), set apart (for a deity, typically by destruction or banishment)'. The noun חֵרֶם (ḥērem) thus denotes that which has been banned or set apart by ban, typically with the sense of irrevocable dedication to YHWH, often by means of destruction or prohibition of use.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֵרֶם is used throughout the Hebrew Bible for objects, animals, people, or entire cities that are 'devoted'—not with the intention of consecration for holy use, but rather to irrevocable destruction or prohibition. This usage is most prevalent in the context of warfare or cultic law, especially in Deuteronomy, Joshua, and 1 Samuel, where enemy populations, property, or spoils are described as being put under a חרם, signifying that they were not to be claimed for ordinary use but rather destroyed as an act of devotion to YHWH. This concept reflects an absolute exclusion from the community’s use, and is distinct from offerings dedicated for positive, ongoing religious use (such as 'קדש/קָדוֹשׁ'). Notably, in post-exilic texts and Second Temple period writings, the term does not retain its earlier legal-military sense, and is sometimes reinterpreted as a ban or prohibition. In later Jewish tradition, 'cherem' comes to mean a communal ban or excommunication, but this is not its primary biblical sense. Standard English translations often narrow its meaning to 'curse' or 'devoted thing'; however, the semantic range is broader, encompassing ban, destruction, prohibition, and exclusion. The related verb חָרַם underlies the noun, emphasizing the act of setting apart or banning, rather than simply cursing.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (Zechariah 14:11) חֶרֶם; from חָרַם; physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination; (ac-) curse(-d, -d thing), dedicated thing, things which should have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing), net.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

חרם (ḥ-r-m) — ban, prohibit, dedicate to destruction, exclude

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1179 בַּעַל חֶרְמוֹן Set-Apart Mountain
H2763 חָרַם ban-devoted one
H2765 חֳרֵם Chorem
H2766 חָרִם Snub-Nosed
H2767 חׇרְמָה in Devoted-to-Destruction

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2764-04 חֵ֡רֶם cherem HNcmsa devoted thing banned thing 11
H2764-07 הַ/חֵ֑רֶם hacherem HTd/Ncmsa the devoted thing the thing under ban 9
H2764-01 בַּ/חֵ֑רֶם bacherem HRd/Ncmsa in the devoted thing in the ban-devoted thing 4
H2764-03 חֲרָמִ֤ים charamim HNcmpa nets banned things 2
H2764-10 לְ/חֵ֔רֶם lecherem HR/Ncmsa a devoted thing for a ban 2
H2764-05 חֶרְמִ֖/י cheremi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my devoted [one] my banned-thing 2
H2764-02 בְּ/חֶרְמִֽ/י becheremi HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs in-my-dragnet in my ban-devoted thing 1
H2764-06 חֶרְמ֑/וֹ cheremo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his net his devoted-to-destruction thing 1
H2764-13 וְ/חֵ֖רֶם vecherem HC/Ncmsa and destruction thing under ban 1
H2764-12 וַ/חֲרָמִ֛ים vacharamim HC/Ncmpa ban-dedicated things 1

Occurrences in Scripture

38 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2764-07 Leviticus 27:21 הַ/חֵ֑רֶם hacherem HTd/Ncmsa devoted the thing under ban
H2764-04 Leviticus 27:28 חֵ֡רֶם cherem HNcmsa devoted thing banned thing
H2764-04 Leviticus 27:28 חֵ֕רֶם cherem-2 HNcmsa devoted thing banned thing
H2764-04 Leviticus 27:29 חֵ֗רֶם cherem HNcmsa devoted thing banned thing
H2764-04 Numbers 18:14 חֵ֥רֶם cherem HNcmsa devoted thing banned thing
H2764-04 Deuteronomy 7:26 חֵ֖רֶם cherem HNcmsa a devoted thing banned thing
H2764-04 Deuteronomy 7:26 חֵ֥רֶם cherem-2 HNcmsa devoted thing banned thing
H2764-07 Deuteronomy 13:18 הַ/חֵ֑רֶם hacherem HTd/Ncmsa the devoted thing the thing under ban
H2764-04 Joshua 6:17 חֵ֛רֶם cherem HNcmsa devoted to destruction banned thing
H2764-07 Joshua 6:18 הַ/חֵ֔רֶם hacherem HTd/Ncmsa the devoted thing the thing under ban
← H2763 Hebrew Lexicon H2765 →