2786. charaq

Lexicon

charaq: To gnash, grind

Original Word: חָרַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: charaq
Pronunciation: khaw-rak'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-rak')
Definition: To gnash, grind
Meaning: to grate the teeth

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

gnash

A primitive root; to grate the teeth -- gnash.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to gnash or grind
NASB Translation
gnash (2), gnashed (2), gnashes (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

חָרַק verb gnash or grind the teeth, only in poetry (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic file, rub together, grate or grind (teeth); Aramaic id.) —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳ח Job 16:9; Imperfect יַחֲרֹק Psalm 112:10; וַיַּחַרְקוּֿ Lamentations 2:16; Infinitive absolute חָרֹק Psalm 35:16; Participle חֹרֵק Psalm 37:12; — grind the teeth in rage against: שׁניו על ׳ח Psalm 37:12; Psalm 35:16 absolute without על Psalm 112:10; Lamentations 2:16 (only here with שֵׁן singular); with בְּ instrumental (Ges^{§ 119}, 3 b, R. Da^{Synt, § 73 R. 6}) בשׁניו עלֿ ׳ח Job 16:9.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek term for the concept of gnashing teeth is found in Strong's Greek Number G1031, βρύχω (brycho). This Greek verb similarly conveys the action of grinding or gnashing the teeth, often used in the New Testament to describe reactions of anger or despair, particularly in eschatological contexts where it is associated with weeping and gnashing of teeth as a response to judgment or exclusion from the kingdom of God.

Usage: The verb חָרַק (charak) is used in the context of expressing anger or hostility, often depicted as the action of grating or gnashing the teeth. This term is used metaphorically to describe intense emotional reactions, particularly in situations of enmity or distress.

Context: The Hebrew verb חָרַק (charak) appears in the Old Testament to convey the action of grating or gnashing the teeth, typically as an expression of anger or animosity. This vivid imagery is used to depict the intensity of emotions experienced by individuals or groups in moments of conflict or suffering. The act of gnashing teeth is often associated with feelings of rage, frustration, or anguish, and it serves as a powerful metaphor for the internal turmoil experienced by those who are oppressed or in opposition.

In the Berean Standard Bible, this term is used in contexts that highlight the adversarial relationships between individuals or between the righteous and the wicked. For example, in Psalm 37:12, it is written: "The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them." This passage illustrates the hostility and malice that the wicked harbor against the righteous, using the imagery of gnashing teeth to emphasize their vehement opposition.

Similarly, in Lamentations 2:16, the enemies of Jerusalem are described as gloating over the city's downfall, with the phrase: "All your enemies open their mouths against you; they hiss and gnash their teeth." Here, the gnashing of teeth underscores the contempt and derision of the adversaries, highlighting their delight in the suffering of Jerusalem.

The use of חָרַק (charak) in these contexts serves to convey the depth of enmity and the emotional intensity of the situations described, providing readers with a vivid portrayal of the struggles faced by the faithful in the face of opposition.

Forms and Transliterations

וְחֹרֵ֖ק וַיַּֽחַרְקוּ־ וחרק ויחרקו־ חָרַ֣ק חָרֹ֖ק חרק יַחֲרֹ֣ק יחרק chaRak chaRok ḥā·raq ḥā·rōq ḥāraq ḥārōq vaiyacharku vechoRek way·ya·ḥar·qū- wayyaḥarqū- wə·ḥō·rêq wəḥōrêq ya·ḥă·rōq yachaRok yaḥărōq

Englishman's Concordance

Job 16:9
HEB: טָרַ֨ף ׀ וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֵ֗נִי חָרַ֣ק עָלַ֣י בְּשִׁנָּ֑יו
NAS: me and hunted me down, He has gnashed at me with His teeth;
KJV: who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth;
INT: has torn and hunted has gnashed with his teeth

Psalm 35:16
HEB: לַעֲגֵ֣י מָע֑וֹג חָרֹ֖ק עָלַ֣י שִׁנֵּֽימוֹ׃
NAS: at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.
KJV: in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
INT: jesters A feast gnashed with their teeth

Psalm 37:12
HEB: רָ֭שָׁע לַצַּדִּ֑יק וְחֹרֵ֖ק עָלָ֣יו שִׁנָּֽיו׃
NAS: against the righteous And gnashes at him with his teeth.
KJV: against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
INT: the wicked the righteous and gnashes with his teeth

Psalm 112:10
HEB: וְכָעָ֗ס שִׁנָּ֣יו יַחֲרֹ֣ק וְנָמָ֑ס תַּאֲוַ֖ת
NAS: it and be vexed, He will gnash his teeth
KJV: [it], and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth,
INT: and be vexed his teeth will gnash and melt the desire

Lamentations 2:16
HEB: א֣וֹיְבַ֔יִךְ שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ וַיַּֽחַרְקוּ־ שֵׁ֔ן אָמְר֖וּ
NAS: you; They hiss and gnash [their] teeth.
KJV: against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth:
INT: enemies hiss and gnash teeth say

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2786
5 Occurrences

ḥā·raq — 1 Occ.
ḥā·rōq — 1 Occ.
way·ya·ḥar·qū- — 1 Occ.
wə·ḥō·rêq — 1 Occ.
ya·ḥă·rōq — 1 Occ.