Original Word: חָרָבָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: charabah
Pronunciation: khaw-raw-baw'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-raw-baw')
Definition: Dryness, desolation, waste
Meaning: a desert

dry ground, land

Feminine of chareb; a desert -- dry (ground, land).

see HEBREW chareb

Word Origin
from chareb
Definition
dry ground
NASB Translation
dry (1), dry ground (4), dry land (3).

חָֽרָבָה noun feminine dry ground; — absolute ׳ח Genesis 7:22 7t.; opposed to הַיָּם Exodus 14:21 (J), Haggai 2:6; compare Genesis 7:22 (J); opposed to water of Jordan Joshua 3:17 (twice in verse) (J), Joshua 4:18 (E), 2 Kings 2:8; of Nile-arms ׳וְנָתַתִּ֫י יְאֹרִים ח Ezekiel 30:12.

Word Origin: Derived from the root חָרֵב (charab), which means "to be dry" or "to be desolate."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G1093 (γῆ, gē): While not a direct equivalent, this Greek term refers to "earth" or "land" and can encompass various types of terrain, including deserts.
• G3584 (ξηρός, xēros): This Greek word means "dry" or "withered" and can be used to describe arid or barren conditions similar to those denoted by חָרָבָה.

In summary, חָרָבָה (charabah) is a term rich with imagery and significance, capturing both the physical reality of desert landscapes and their metaphorical implications within the biblical narrative.

Usage: The term חָרָבָה is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe a desert or wilderness area, often emphasizing its desolation and lack of habitation. It is typically used in contexts that highlight the barrenness and inhospitable nature of such regions.

Context: The Hebrew word חָרָבָה (charabah) appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often symbolizing desolation and abandonment. It is used to describe physical landscapes that are devoid of life and vegetation, reflecting the harsh and unforgiving nature of desert regions. In a spiritual or metaphorical sense, חָרָבָה can also represent a state of spiritual desolation or judgment, where the absence of divine presence or blessing is keenly felt.

For example, in Isaiah 35:1, the prophet speaks of a transformation where "The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose." Here, the term חָרָבָה is used to depict a barren land that will experience renewal and joy, symbolizing hope and restoration.

The concept of a desert as a place of testing and purification is also prevalent in biblical narratives. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness, for instance, serves as a period of trial and dependence on God, where the desolate environment of the חָרָבָה underscores their reliance on divine provision.

בֶּחָ֣רָבָ֔ה בֶּחָֽרָבָ֖ה בֶּחָֽרָבָ֛ה בֶּחָרָבָֽה׃ בחרבה בחרבה׃ הֶחָרָבָ֑ה הֶחָרָבָֽה׃ החרבה החרבה׃ חָֽרָבָ֔ה חרבה לֶחָרָבָ֑ה לחרבה be·ḥā·rā·ḇāh becharaVah beḥārāḇāh charaVah ḥā·rā·ḇāh ḥārāḇāh he·ḥā·rā·ḇāh hecharaVah heḥārāḇāh le·ḥā·rā·ḇāh lecharaVah leḥārāḇāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts