Lexical Summary Harari: Mountain dweller; mountaineer Original Word: הֲרָרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hararite Or Harariy (2 Sam. 23:11) {haw-raw-ree'}; or Haarariy (2 Sam. 23:34, last clause), {haw-raw-ree'}; apparently from harar; a mountaineer -- Hararite. see HEBREW harar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originappar. from the same as har Definition "mountain dweller," descriptive of two of David's heroes NASB Translation Ararite (1), Hararite (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs הָארָרִי 2 Samuel 23:33b see הֲרָרִי. הַב see יהב. הַבְהָבִים see below יהב. הֲרָרִי, הָרָרִי adjective, of a people (= mountain-dweller (Thes) ? or derived from some unknown proper name, of a location); — used only in defining certain of David's heroes: 1. a. שַׁמָּה הַהֲרָרִי 2 Samuel 23:33 a (compare Dr) = 1 Chronicles 11:34b (where read probably שַׁמָּה for שָׁגֵה, ᵐ5L Σαμαια). b. שַׁמָּה בֶּןאָֿגֵא הָרָרִי 2 Samuel 23:11 (read perhaps הַהֲרָרִי compare Dr; but ᵐ5 ὁ Ἀρουχαῖος, ᵐ5L ὁ Αραχι, i.e. הָאַרְכִּי ? Klo). On שַׁמּוֺת הַהֲרוֺרִי 1 Chronicles 11:27 (ᵐ5 ὁ Ἁδι, ᵐ5L ὁ Αρωρι) see הֲרוֺרִי above. 2 אֲחִיאָם בֶּןשָֿׁרָר הָארָרִי 2 Samuel 23:33b (read probably הַהֲרָרִי) = אֲחִיאָם בֶּןשָֿׂכָר הַהֲרָרִי 1 Chronicles 11:35. Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrences הֲרָרִי (Harari, “Hararite”) appears five times, exclusively within the catalogues of David’s “mighty men” (2 Samuel 23 and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 11). The title attaches to three warriors: 1. Shammah son of Agee (2 Samuel 23:11) Jonathan son of Shagee is also designated “the Hararite” in 1 Chronicles 11:34, giving four men if Shammah son of Agee and Shammah the Hararite are distinct, or three if they are the same individual listed twice. Historical setting: David’s elite corps David’s “mighty men” represent a standing proof that the LORD “delivered David wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:6). The Hararites figure in the second tier of this elite force, ranked below the first three but above the larger contingent of thirty. Their exploits fall in the period of Philistine hostility that threatened the fledgling united monarchy. Identity and geography The designation “Hararite” points to a highland origin. Whether Harar is a specific ridge in Judah or simply the mountainous country of Ephraim and Benjamin, the title underscores the rugged background of men accustomed to difficult terrain—ideal training for the guerrilla campaigns that characterized David’s rise. Notable exploits 2 Samuel 23:11–12 highlights Shammah, who alone held “a field full of lentils” against a Philistine raiding party: “The LORD brought about a great victory”. The text celebrates more than personal bravery; it testifies to covenant faith. Shammah understood that the agricultural produce of Israel was sacred gift, not to be surrendered to pagan plunderers. His stand preserved both food supply and national dignity. Jonathan the Hararite (1 Chronicles 11:34) and Ahiam the Hararite (2 Samuel 23:33; 1 Chronicles 11:35) are listed without detailed feats, yet their inclusion signals tested courage and loyalty. Shared homeland and epithet suggest a familial or clan connection, perhaps explaining why several kinsmen flocked to David while he was still viewed as an outlaw (1 Samuel 22:1–2). Theological significance 1. Faith over numbers: Shammah’s lone defense of the lentil field is a lived commentary on Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.” The episode assures believers that God’s deliverance does not depend on majority strength. Lessons for ministry • Geographic disadvantage can become spiritual advantage. Highland upbringing equipped the Hararites for endurance; God still forges ministry skills through humble and remote circumstances. Application for the contemporary church Hararite courage encourages local congregations when they feel outnumbered or marginalized. Their example calls leaders to defend spiritual “fields of lentils”—the small plots of truth, holiness, and service entrusted to them—trusting that the LORD can effect a “great victory” through even one obedient servant. Forms and Transliterations הַֽהֲרָרִ֔י הַהֲרָרִ֖י הַהֲרָרִֽי׃ הָארָרִֽי׃ הָרָרִ֑י האררי׃ ההררי ההררי׃ הררי ha·hă·rā·rî hā·rā·rî haharaRi hahărārî haraRi hārārîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 23:11 HEB: בֶן־ אָגֵ֖א הָרָרִ֑י וַיֵּאָסְפ֨וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים NAS: of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines KJV: of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines INT: the son of Agee A Hararite were gathered and the Philistines 2 Samuel 23:33 2 Samuel 23:33 1 Chronicles 11:34 1 Chronicles 11:35 5 Occurrences |
    |