Lexical Summary Charim: Harim Original Word: חָרִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Harim From charam; snub-nosed; Charim, an Israelite -- Harim. see HEBREW charam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom charam Definition "consecrated," the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Harim (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָרִם proper name, masculine (consecrated; compare Sabean proper name, masculine חרם, יחרמאל Hal411. 504 DHMl.c.) — 1 priest of the third course, David's time, according to 1 Chronicles 24:8. 2 priest of time of Nehemiah Nehemiah 10:6. 3 heads of families of returning exiles: a. Ezra 2:39 = Nehemiah 7:42; Ezra 10:21; Nehemiah 12:15. b. Ezra 2:32 = Nehemiah 7:35; Ezra 10:31; Nehemiah 3:11. 4 a prince Nehemiah 10:28. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture Harim appears eleven times in the Old Testament, identifying both a priestly division (1 Chronicles 24:8) and family groups among the post-exilic community (Ezra 2; Nehemiah 7–12). The name thus marks a lineage that spans the First Temple era, the Babylonian exile, and the restoration period. Priestly Division before the Exile Under King David the priesthood was organized into twenty-four courses. “The third lot fell to Harim” (1 Chronicles 24:8). This early mention places the house of Harim among the established priestly orders entrusted with Temple service, sacrificial duties, and instruction in the Law. Return from Babylon and Restoration of Worship When Cyrus permitted the exiles to return, men of Harim were counted in both priestly and lay registers: Their willingness to leave Babylon underscores a commitment to covenant identity and Temple worship, supplying manpower for rebuilding the altar, laying the foundation of the Second Temple, and reinstituting sacrifices (cf. Ezra 3). Service in Jerusalem’s Reconstruction During the wall-building campaign, individual members of the clan distinguished themselves: “Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens” (Nehemiah 3:11). Priests who labored with trowel in one hand and sword in the other embodied servant-leadership and modeled unity among clergy and laity. Call to Holiness: The Issue of Intermarriage Spiritual compromise emerged when some priests married foreign wives. Ezra’s reform lists two groups from Harim: The public confession and dismissal of unlawful marriages demonstrated that priestly pedigree did not exempt anyone from obedience. Harim’s inclusion in both guilty and repentant lists highlights God’s readiness to restore those who turn from sin. Participation in Covenant Renewal A generation later, members of Harim signed Nehemiah’s covenant to keep the Law: Their signatures affirm wholehearted recommitment to Sabbath observance, tithe support, and separation from pagan practices (Nehemiah 10:30–39). The same family that once erred now publicly bound itself to faithfulness. Ongoing Priestly Service in the Second Temple In the days of Joiakim the high priest, each ancestral house had an active representative: “of Harim, Adna” (Nehemiah 12:15). The presence of an officiating head three generations after the exile shows continuity of ministry and confirms that repentance had borne lasting fruit. Legacy in the Post-exilic Community 1. Continuity: Harim spans pre-exilic order, exile, return, and Second Temple worship, illustrating God’s preservation of a priestly remnant. Ministry Applications • Heritage must be matched by present obedience; a storied lineage offers no exemption from repentance. Harim’s story, woven through lists and narrative inches of Scripture, quietly testifies to the Lord’s covenant faithfulness, the necessity of purity among His servants, and the power of repentance to renew both individual and communal destiny. Forms and Transliterations חָרִ֑ם חָרִ֔ם חָרִ֖ם חָרִ֥ם חרם לְחָרִ֣ם לְחָרִם֙ לחרם chaRim ḥā·rim ḥārim lə·ḥā·rim lechaRim ləḥārimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 24:8 HEB: לְחָרִם֙ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י לִשְׂעֹרִ֖ים NAS: the third for Harim, the fourth KJV: The third to Harim, the fourth INT: Harim the third Seorim Ezra 2:32 Ezra 2:39 Ezra 10:21 Ezra 10:31 Nehemiah 3:11 Nehemiah 7:35 Nehemiah 7:42 Nehemiah 10:5 Nehemiah 10:27 Nehemiah 12:15 11 Occurrences |
    |