Original Word: חַרְסוּת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: charcuwth
Pronunciation: khar-SOOTH
Phonetic Spelling: (khar-sooth')
Definition: Potsherd, shard
Meaning: a potsherd, a pottery

east

From cherec (apparently in the sense of a red tile used for scraping); a potsherd, i.e. (by implication) a pottery; the name of a gate at Jerusalem -- east.

see HEBREW cherec

Word Origin
from the same as cheres
Definition
potsherd
NASB Translation
potsherd (1).

חרסות Kt, חַרְסִית Qr noun feminine collective potsherd — מֶּתַח שַׁעַר הַחַרְסִ֯ות Jeremiah 19:2, designation of a gate in Jerusalem; opening of the gate of potsherds, i.e. where they were thrown (see Jeremiah 19:10; Jeremiah 19:11 and Gf); it led into the valley of Hinnom; ᵐ5 Ξαρς(ε)ιθ favours Qr **see Baldensperger^{PEF 1904, 136} on the crushing of potsherds in the Valley of Hinnom.

Word Origin: Derived from the root חָרַס (charas), meaning "to scrape" or "to scratch."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 2766: κέραμος (keramos) • meaning "clay" or "pottery."
• Strong's Greek Number 2767: κερμάτιον (kermation) • meaning "a small piece" or "fragment," often used in the context of coins or small objects.

These Greek terms, while not direct translations, share thematic connections with חַרְסוּת in their reference to pottery and fragments, illustrating the continuity of these concepts across the biblical languages.

Usage: The term חַרְסוּת is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to a fragment of pottery, often symbolizing brokenness or destruction. It is typically used in contexts that describe the fragility and impermanence of human endeavors or the consequences of divine judgment.

Context: The Hebrew word חַרְסוּת (charsuth) appears in the context of ancient Near Eastern pottery, which was a common household item used for various purposes, including storage, cooking, and carrying water. Potsherds, or broken pieces of pottery, were often found in archaeological sites, indicating the widespread use and eventual breakage of these vessels.

In the biblical narrative, חַרְסוּת is used metaphorically to convey themes of destruction and judgment. For example, in Isaiah 30:14, the prophet describes the shattering of a potter's vessel, emphasizing the totality of the destruction: "It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so that not a fragment will be found among its pieces to take coals from a hearth or scoop water from a cistern." This imagery highlights the completeness of the judgment and the inability to salvage anything useful from the broken remains.

The use of חַרְסוּת in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of human achievements and the ultimate sovereignty of God over creation. It underscores the biblical theme that human pride and rebellion against God lead to inevitable ruin, much like a potter's vessel that is easily shattered.

הַֽחַרְסִ֑ית החרסית ha·ḥar·sîṯ hacharSit haḥarsîṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts