← H2777 H2779 →

חָרַף

𐤇𐤓𐤐

châraph

H2778 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ח־ר־ף to reproach, to scorn, to taunt, to be sharp (metaphorically)

Definition

To reproach, insult, or scorn; to treat or speak of with contempt. In specific contexts, to taunt or challenge (often used of defiant speech against a person or deity). Less commonly, to expose (literally or metaphorically), or to spend the winter (only as a denominative verb from the noun for 'winter'). The core sense involves actions or words that shame, dishonor, or denigrate.

Semantic Range

to reproach, insult, or defame; to blaspheme or defy (of another person or of a deity); to scorn or upbraid; to taunt or carp at; to expose (rare, possibly root sense); to betroth (rare, debated); to spend the winter (denominative from 'winter')

Root / Etymology

Root: חרף. The root primarily conveys the idea of sharpness or pointedness, which developed semantically to include 'taunt,' 'reproach,' or 'insult' (acts or words akin to sharp attacks). The denominative verb form derives from the noun חֹרֶף (winter), meaning 'to spend the winter.' The etymological connection is sometimes debated, as the derived senses appear distinct in usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חָרַף occurs in both literal and metaphorical senses across biblical Hebrew. Most often, it refers to acts of reproach or insult, especially directed against individuals, leaders, or against YHWH (the God of Israel), often in the context of defiance or blasphemy (e.g., 2 Kings 19:4, Isa 37:6). The root is the source of חֶרְפָּה ('reproach, disgrace'). In post-exilic texts, especially the Psalms, the sense of public humiliation and the experience of being shamed by adversaries comes to the fore. The usage as 'to betroth' (Deut 22:23) is exceedingly rare and debated, based on a sense of being exposed or surrendered. The denominative sense 'to spend the winter' (from חֹרֶף) is unattested in many biblical passages but appears in later Hebrew. English translations sometimes flatten or obscure these nuances, translating חָרַף as 'reproach,' 'defy,' or 'blaspheme,' depending on context, but the underlying sense of attacking honor or reputation persists throughout its uses.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; also denominative (from חֹרֶף); to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e. defame; to spend the winter; betroth, blaspheme, defy, jeopard, rail, reproach, upbraid.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

חרף (ḥ-r-p) — to reproach, to scorn, to taunt, sharpness (metaphorical)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2741 חֲרוּפִי the Charuphite
H2756 חָרִיף Autumnal One
H2779 חֹרֶף my harvest-season
H2780 חָרֵף Chareph
H2781 חֶרְפָּה in public disgrace

Word Forms

19 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2778-05 חֵרֵ֥ף cheref HVpp3ms reproaches he sharply reproached 7
H2778-11 לְ/חָרֵ֥ף lecharef HR/Vpc to reproach to sharply reproach 6
H2778-02 חֵרַֽפְתָּ cherafeta HVpp2ms you have reproached you have taunted 5
H2778-06 חֵֽרְפוּ֙ cherefu HVpp3cp have-reproached they have scornfully taunted 4
H2778-08 חֵרְפ֑וּ/נִי cherefuni HVpp3cp/Sp1cs have reproached me they taunted me 3
H2778-10 חֹרְפִ֣/י chorefi HVqrmsc/Sp1cs him who reproaches me my reproacher 2
H2778-15 וַ/יְחָרֵ֖ף vayecharef HC/Vpw3ms and he taunted he heaped scorn 2
H2778-16 יְחָ֣רֶף yecharef HVpi3ms will reproach he will taunt 1
H2778-09 ח֝וֹרְפֶ֗י/ךָ chorefeykha HVqrmpc/Sp2ms of those who reproach you your reproachers 1
H2778-03 חֵרַפְתֶּ֨ם cherafetem HVpp2mp you taunted you reviled 1

Occurrences in Scripture

41 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2778-13 Leviticus 19:20 נֶחֱרֶ֣פֶת necherefet HVNrfsa reproached reproached woman
H2778-05 Judges 5:18 חֵרֵ֥ף cheref HVpp3ms risked he sharply reproached
H2778-03 Judges 8:15 חֵרַפְתֶּ֨ם cherafetem HVpp2mp you taunted you reviled
H2778-04 1 Samuel 17:10 חֵרַ֛פְתִּי cherafeti HVpp1cs have defied I have taunted
H2778-11 1 Samuel 17:25 לְ/חָרֵ֥ף lecharef HR/Vpc to defy to sharply reproach
H2778-05 1 Samuel 17:26 חֵרֵ֔ף cheref HVpp3ms he defies he sharply reproached
H2778-05 1 Samuel 17:36 חֵרֵ֔ף cheref HVpp3ms he has defied he sharply reproached
H2778-02 1 Samuel 17:45 חֵרַֽפְתָּ cherafeta HVpp2ms you have defied you have taunted
H2778-15 2 Samuel 21:21 וַ/יְחָרֵ֖ף vayecharef HC/Vpw3ms and taunted he heaped scorn
H2778-01 2 Samuel 23:9 בְּ/חָֽרְפָ֤/ם becharefam HR/Vpc/Sp3mp when they defied in their taunting
← H2777 Hebrew Lexicon H2779 →