Lexical Summary charak: singed Original Word: חֲרַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance singe (Aramaic) a root probably allied to the equivalent of charar; to scorch -- singe. see HEBREW charar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) a root probably corresponding to charar Definition to singe NASB Translation singed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חֲרַךְ] verb singe (ᵑ7 Syriac; Late Hebrew חָרַח); — Hithpa`el Perfect3masculine singular הִתְחָרַח Daniel 3:27 (of hair). Topical Lexicon Overview חֲרַךְ is employed once in Scripture, Daniel 3:27, where it describes hair that had not been “singed” after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the blazing furnace. Though rare, its solitary use powerfully underscores God’s total protection of His people. Context in Daniel 3 Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace was heated “seven times hotter than usual” (Daniel 3:19). The king’s officials later “gathered together and saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them” (Daniel 3:27). חֲרַךְ focuses on the minute detail of a single hair, highlighting that divine preservation extended to the smallest, most easily damaged part of their bodies. Historical Background The Babylonian practice of execution by fire was intended to terrify and to make an example of dissenters. That even the executioners perished (Daniel 3:22) while the three Hebrews emerged without so much as singed hair exposed Babylon’s impotence before the living God and served to elevate the God of Israel in the eyes of pagan rulers. Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Protection – The untouched hair illustrates the completeness of God’s deliverance (Psalm 91:7; Isaiah 43:2). Christological Foreshadowing Just as the furnace could not mar the faithful Hebrews, death could not hold Christ. The precision of protection down to unsinged hair anticipates the promise that not “a hair of your head will perish” for those who endure (Luke 21:18). The incident also points to the incarnate “fourth man” in the fire, whom many regard as a Christophany, prefiguring Jesus’ presence with believers in suffering (Matthew 28:20). Ministry Application • Encouragement in Persecution – Believers facing hostility can trust that God’s guardianship is exact and personal. Related Biblical Principles Job 42:2 – God’s purposes cannot be thwarted. 2 Timothy 4:18 – “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 – Fiery trials refine and ultimately glorify Christ. Summary Though appearing only once, חֲרַךְ encapsulates the totality of divine preservation, turning a seemingly small detail—the absence of singed hair—into a monumental testimony of God’s power, faithfulness, and glory, encouraging believers to trust Him through every “fiery furnace” of life. Forms and Transliterations הִתְחָרַ֔ךְ התחרך hiṯ·ḥā·raḵ hitchaRach hiṯḥāraḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 3:27 HEB: רֵֽאשְׁהוֹן֙ לָ֣א הִתְחָרַ֔ךְ וְסָרְבָּלֵיה֖וֹן לָ֣א NAS: of their head singed, nor KJV: of their head singed, neither INT: of their head nor singed were their trousers nor 1 Occurrence |
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