Lexical Summary Charadah: Haradah Original Word: חֲרָדָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Haradah The same as charadah; Charadah, a place in the Desert -- Haradah. see HEBREW charadah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom charad Definition a place in the S. desert NASB Translation Haradah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. חֲרָדָה proper name, of a location a station of Israel in wilderness Numbers 33:24,25, site unknown. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Haradah appears only twice, both in the itinerary of Israel’s forty-year wilderness journey (Numbers 33:24; Numbers 33:25). Moses, under divine mandate, recorded every stage of that journey “by the command of the LORD” (Numbers 33:2). In this list Haradah serves as the twenty-fourth encampment after the Exodus, situated between Mount Shepher and Makheloth: Geographical Context The precise location of Haradah is uncertain, though its placement in the travel log suggests a site in the northern Sinai or northwestern Arabian desert. Its name, meaning “trembling” or “fear,” may reflect either a naturally intimidating terrain—such as a wind-swept ravine—or an event that impressed holy awe upon the people. While archaeology has not yet verified the site, the biblical record anchors it in Israel’s historical memory as one of many tangible markers of God’s guidance. The Wilderness Itinerary and Divine Guidance Numbers 33 functions as more than a travel diary; it testifies to the LORD’s faithfulness at every campsite. Each location, Haradah included, underscores that Israel “moved out according to their standards” only when “the cloud lifted” (Numbers 10:12-13). By preserving the name Haradah in Scripture, God reminds subsequent generations that even anonymous or short-lived stops are ordained steps in His redemptive plan. Theological Nuance of the Name Though lexical data are not repeated here, the semantic range of Haradah’s root points to shaking, quaking, or reverent fear. In Israel’s experience, holy fear often marked encounters with the divine—at Sinai (Exodus 19:16), at the assembly in Deuteronomy 4:10, and in Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6:5). Naming an encampment Haradah therefore mirrors a recurrent biblical theme: genuine worship involves trembling before a holy God (Psalm 2:11). Spiritual Lessons for Believers 1. Reverence on the Pilgrim Way – The wilderness journey prefigures the Christian walk (1 Corinthians 10:1-11). A camp called “Trembling” reminds believers that progress with God is inseparable from awe. Related Scriptures on Holy Fear • “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11) Historical and Archaeological Considerations While Haradah’s location remains unidentified, its mention in an itinerary widely regarded as authentic strengthens confidence in the historicity of the Exodus narrative. Scholars note that the order and distance between sites in Numbers 33 align with known desert routes, supporting the veracity of the text even where material evidence is pending. Summary Haradah, though fleeting in the biblical record, stands as a waypoint of reverent fear on Israel’s path from bondage to promise. Its very obscurity magnifies a recurring message: every stop under God’s leadership—whether monumental like Sinai or momentary like Haradah—bears weight for faith and instruction. Forms and Transliterations בַּחֲרָדָֽה׃ בחרדה׃ מֵחֲרָדָ֑ה מחרדה ba·ḥă·rā·ḏāh bacharaDah baḥărāḏāh mê·ḥă·rā·ḏāh mecharaDah mêḥărāḏāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 33:24 HEB: שָׁ֑פֶר וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּחֲרָדָֽה׃ NAS: Shepher and camped at Haradah. KJV: Shapher, and encamped in Haradah. INT: Shepher and camped Haradah Numbers 33:25 2 Occurrences |
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