Lexical Summary
chareb: Dry, desolate, waste
Original Word:חָרֵב
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:chareb
Pronunciation:khaw-rabe'
Phonetic Spelling:(khaw-rabe')
KJV: desolate, dry, waste
Word Origin:[fromH2717 (חָרַב חָרֵב - To be dry)]
1. parched or ruined
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
desolate, dry, waste
Fromcharab; parched or ruined -- desolate, dry, waste.
see HEBREWcharab
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [] , only feminine singular
Leviticus 7:10 of meal-offering not moistened (with oil; P);
Proverbs 17:1a dry morsel.
II. ; — masculine singular absoluteJeremiah 33:10 3t.; feminine singularNehemiah 2:3 2t.; feminine pluralEzekiel 36:35,38 (see Köi. 241); — of a city, definedJeremiah 33:10, compareJeremiah 33:12; alsoNehemiah 2:3,17;Ezekiel 36:35 (+ , ; opposed to ).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Range of Imageryחָרֵב portrays something dried up, wasted, or in ruins. The adjective draws its force from the verb “to be desolate” (Strong’s 2717), so even when it refers to a “dry” food, the nuance of withered barrenness is never far away. Scripture applies the term both to offerings that contain no oil or moisture and to places or conditions left empty by divine judgment.
Occurrences and Settings
1.Leviticus 7:10 – the “dry” grain offering.
2.Proverbs 17:1 – a “dry” crust of bread.
3–4.Jeremiah 33:10, 12 – the “desolate” streets of Jerusalem and towns of Judah.
5–6.Ezekiel 36:35, 38 – the “desolate” land and cities of Israel.
7–8.Haggai 1:4, 9 – the temple lying in “ruins.”
Sacrificial Worship: Acceptance Even in Lack
Leviticus 7:10 records that “every grain offering, whether mixed with oil or dry, belongs to all the sons of Aaron, to all alike”. The verbals surrounding the meal-offering (minchah) stress that the LORD receives even what looks meager or withered. Worship is accepted not because of outward abundance but because of covenant obedience. Ministry application: believers may bring what seems paltry, provided it is offered in faith and accordance with divine instruction.
Wisdom Insight: Peace over Plenty
Proverbs 17:1 places the “dry” morsel beside family harmony: “Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife”. The proverb transforms חָרֵב into a metaphor for contentment. Better little with peace than lavish provision tied to conflict. The principle guides pastoral counseling and personal discipleship toward prioritizing character and relationships above material prosperity.
Prophetic Usage: Desolation under Judgment
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Haggai employ חָרֵב to depict covenant curses realized in history.
•Jeremiah 33:10–12 pictures Jerusalem’s streets as “deserted, inhabited by neither man nor beast.” Yet the same oracle promises voices of joy and pastures for shepherds once more.
•Ezekiel 36:35–38 broadens the horizon: “This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden.” The adjective thus accents the dramatic reversal the LORD will accomplish when He vindicates His holy name.
•Haggai 1:4, 9 confronts post-exilic complacency: “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” The ruined temple is the visible sign of misplaced priorities; economic drought follows spiritual neglect.
Theology of Ruin and Renewal
1. Covenant Faithfulness. חָרֵב signals judgment for breaking covenant stipulations (Leviticus 26;Deuteronomy 28) yet simultaneously sets the stage for renewed mercy.
2. Divine Restoration. The word’s bleakness heightens the glory of reversal: from desolation to Eden-like fruitfulness, from ruined sanctuary to re-dedicated house of prayer.
3. Worship Priority. Both Leviticus and Haggai locate the remedy for ruin in God-centered worship. When the LORD’s house is honored, the “dry” places flourish.
4. Eschatological Hope. Ezekiel’s vision anticipates a future consummation when every ruin is rebuilt and God dwells permanently among His people (Revelation 21:3–5).
Ministry Implications
• Addressing Spiritual Dryness. Pastors can use חָרֵב texts to diagnose seasons of barrenness and to prescribe repentance and renewed devotion.
• Encouraging Faithful Stewardship. Haggai’s challenge warns against neglecting corporate worship for personal comfort.
• Preaching Restoration.Jeremiah 33 andEzekiel 36 offer powerful assurances that no situation is too “dry” for divine renewal.
• Embracing Simplicity.Proverbs 17:1 andLeviticus 7:10 validate modest offerings given in peace and sincerity.
Summary
חָרֵב is the language of barrenness that magnifies the LORD’s power to bring abundance. Whether referring to a simple, oil-less grain offering, the quiet contentment of a dry crust, or the devastated streets of Jerusalem, the term ultimately drives readers to depend on the God who turns wastelands into gardens and ruins into places of rejoicing.
Forms and Transliterations
הֶחֳרֵב֔וֹת הֶחֳרֵב֛וֹת הֶחָרֵ֛ב החרב החרבות וַחֲרֵבָ֑ה וחרבה חֲ֭רֵבָה חָרֵ֔ב חָרֵ֣ב חָרֵֽב׃ חרב חרב׃ חרבה chaRev Charevah ḥă·rê·ḇāh ḥā·rêḇ ḥārêḇ ḥărêḇāh he·ḥā·rêḇ he·ḥo·rê·ḇō·wṯ hechaRev hechoreVot heḥārêḇ heḥorêḇōwṯ vachareVah wa·ḥă·rê·ḇāh waḥărêḇāh
Links
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