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חֶרֶשׁ

𐤇𐤓𐤔

Cheresh

H2792 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חרשׁ to engrave, to carve, to craft, to be silent (distinct sense, but not applicable as a name)

Definition

Cheresh, a personal name referring to a Levite individual mentioned in post-exilic lists. The name most likely means 'artisan,' 'craftsman,' or 'engraver,' reflecting a potential occupational or aspirational meaning derived from the noun חֶרֶשׁ (cheresh, 'craftsman, potter, engraver'). Lexical usage is as a proper noun designating a specific individual.

Semantic Range

Cheresh (a personal name), craftsman (as typified by occupational names), artisan, engraver (all as possible connotations when used as a name)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חרשׁ, meaning 'to engrave, to carve, to craft,' with the noun form חֶרֶשׁ meaning 'craftsman,' 'artisan,' or 'engraver.' The name likely carries the sense 'craftsman' or 'engraver,' transferred as a personal or familial designation. Root: חרשׁ.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The proper name חֶרֶשׁ appears in post-exilic genealogical records (Ezra 2:44; Nehemiah 7:47) as the designation of one of the families of temple servants returning from Babylonian exile. The association with the Levites reflects these families' temple-related functions, but the text attributes them specifically as part of the Nethinim, a group assisting the Levites, rather than being Levites themselves. The etymology suggests a possible occupational title—'craftsman' or 'engraver'—reflecting temple-associated roles. Later English translations sometimes substitute the name with anglicized forms (Heresh), but its original nuance as a title or occupational surname is not always preserved. No direct theological significance is attached to the name in the biblical text. Careful attention should be given not to confuse the proper name חֶרֶשׁ with its common noun counterpart meaning 'potter' or 'craftsman.' The distribution of the term is limited to genealogical contexts, and its semantic scope remains narrowly tied to personal and possibly familial identity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as חֶרֶשׁ; Cheresh, a Levite; Heresh.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חרשׁ (ḥ-r-sh) — to engrave, to carve, to craft; craftsman

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2794 חֹרֵשׁ crafting artisan of
H2796 חָרָשׁ craftsman of
H2798 חֲרָשִׁים craftsmen
H2799 חֲרֹשֶׁת and in the workshop-of
H2800 חֲרֹשֶׁת in Woodland-Craftstead

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2792-01 חֶ֖רֶשׁ cheresh HNp Heresh Craftsman 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2792-01 1 Chronicles 9:15 חֶ֖רֶשׁ cheresh HNp Heresh Craftsman
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