חַשְׁרָה
𐤇𐤔𐤓𐤄
chashrâh
H2841 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A gathering or collection, especially of clouds; specifically a mass or heap of water-laden clouds, often implying darkness, gloom, or an impending storm. The term may denote both the physical phenomenon of a concentrated cloud mass and its visual effect (i.e., the darkening of the sky).
Semantic Range
gathering of clouds, mass of water-laden clouds, cloud formation implying darkness or storm, assembled/dense clouds, dark cloud mass
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root חשר (ח־ש־ר), whose base meaning relates to bringing together, assembling, or crowding. The noun form extends this idea specifically to the natural phenomenon of clouds forming dense groupings. Cognate roots in related Semitic languages also convey notions of gathering or accumulating.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חַשְׁרָה appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is contextually used to describe meteorological events, especially dense, darkened clouds signifying rain or storms (e.g., 1 Kings 18:45). Its imagery emphasizes the visual aspect of massed, dark clouds, distinct from other terms such as עָנָן (ʿānān)—a general cloud—or עב (ʿāv)—a particularly thick cloud or heavy vapor. חַשְׁרָה typifies the onset of weather change, often dramatic in narrative scenes. English translations often render the term as 'dark cloud' or 'gathering of clouds,' but may not fully reflect the sense of sudden accumulation and impending change inherent in the Hebrew. The term's limited attestation restricts the certainty of usage shifts over time, but in known contexts, it always refers to significant cloud formations associated with dramatic meteorological events.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as חִשֻּׁר; properly, a combination or gathering, i.e. of watery clouds; dark.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חשר (ḥ-š-r) — to gather, assemble, crowd together
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2840 | חִשֻּׁר | and their wheel-hubs |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2841-01 |
חַֽשְׁרַת | chasherat | HNcfsc |
a gathering | gathering of storm-clouds | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2841-01 |
2 Samuel 22:12 | חַֽשְׁרַת | chasherat | HNcfsc |
a gathering | gathering of storm-clouds |