2736. Charhayah
Lexical Summary
Charhayah: Burning, Kindling

Original Word: חַרְהֲיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Charhayah
Pronunciation: khar-hah-yah
Phonetic Spelling: (khar-hah-yaw')
KJV: Harhaiah
Word Origin: [from H2734 (חָרָה - burned) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. fearing Jah
2. Charhajah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Harhaiah

; from charah and Yahh; fearing Jah; Charhajah, an Israelite -- Harhaiah.

see HEBREW charah

see HEBREW Yahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
see Charchayah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חַרְחֲיָה (van d. H חרהיה), proper name, masculine (√ and meaning unknown) — father of one of the builders of the wall, Nehemiah's time Nehemiah 3:8.

חַרְחוּר, חַרְחֻר see below I. חרר.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence

Harhaiah appears once in the Old Testament, in the record of the wall-building assignments under Nehemiah. “Next to him, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs” (Nehemiah 3:8). Although the name is carried by the father, the verse highlights the work of his son, Uzziel. The family is identified by trade—goldsmiths—suggesting a household already skilled in meticulous craftsmanship before being enlisted for the restoration of Jerusalem’s wall.

Historical Background

Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem in the mid-fifth century B.C. with Persian authority to rebuild the ruined fortifications (Nehemiah 2:1-8). Chapter 3 catalogs more than forty distinct work crews, representing priests, civic officials, merchants, and artisans. Harhaiah’s household is situated among these teams, flanked by guilds of perfumers and other goldsmiths (Nehemiah 3:8, 31-32). The inclusion of craftsmen underscores that the restoration was not merely a governmental or priestly endeavor but one in which all social strata participated.

Role in the Wall Reconstruction

Uzziel son of Harhaiah labored on “the broad wall,” a strategic stretch north of the Temple mount (Nehemiah 3:8). Goldsmiths were normally engaged in delicate, ornamental metalwork (Exodus 31:4-5), yet here they turned to heavy masonry. The task list in Nehemiah 3 is purposely repetitive—“next to him,” “next to them”—to emphasize unity. By recording artisans like Harhaiah’s family alongside priests (verse 1) and governors (verse 9), Scripture testifies that covenant faithfulness extends beyond traditional religious roles.

Theological Significance

1. The Priesthood of All Believers. Harhaiah’s household demonstrates that service to the Lord is not confined to ritual or formal office. In Nehemiah, artisans receive equal mention with high priests, foreshadowing the New Testament doctrine that every believer is a “living stone” in the spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).
2. Stewardship of Vocation. The goldsmiths’ willingness to leave profitable work for manual labor illustrates consecrated skill. Their example anticipates Paul’s exhortation: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
3. Community Restoration. The wall symbolized covenant security and identity. Harhaiah’s family, laboring under Levite leadership, contributed to re-establishing the visible testimony of God’s people, echoing Psalm 48:13-14’s call to “consider her ramparts” as a witness to future generations.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Lay Mobilization: Leaders today can emulate Nehemiah’s model, assigning meaningful sections of ministry to diverse skill sets.
• Intergenerational Service: The mention of father and son encourages mentoring relationships in kingdom work.
• Excellence in Craft and Construction: Though goldsmiths, they built with stone, showing flexibility in service. Modern believers likewise may be called to tasks outside their comfort zones for the sake of the gospel.

Related Scriptural Themes

Exodus 31:1-6 – Bezalel and Oholiab empowered for artistic craftsmanship.

2 Chronicles 34:11-13 – Artisans repairing the Temple during Josiah’s reform.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – Varieties of gifts, same Spirit, for the common good.

1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.”

In sum, Harhaiah’s brief mention situates his family within the larger narrative of God rebuilding both walls and people. Though appearing only once, the name stands as a testament to faithful, ordinary service enlisted by the sovereign Lord to advance His redemptive purposes.

Forms and Transliterations
חַרְהֲיָה֙ חרהיה charhaYah ḥar·hă·yāh ḥarhăyāh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Nehemiah 3:8
HEB: עֻזִּיאֵ֤ל בֶּֽן־ חַרְהֲיָה֙ צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים ס
KJV: the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths.
INT: Uzziel the son of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths unto

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2736
1 Occurrence


ḥar·hă·yāh — 1 Occ.

2735
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