Lexical Summary cheresh: Deaf, silent Original Word: חֶרֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cunning, secretly From charash; magical craft; also silence -- cunning, secretly. see HEBREW charash Brown-Driver-Briggs I. חֶ֫רֶשׁ noun [masculine] as adverb silently, secretly — ׳מְרַגְּלִים ח Joshua 2:1 (JE) exploring secretly. III. חרשׁ (√ of following; meaning unknown). II. חֶ֫רֶשׁ noun [masculine] magic art, or perhaps magic drug (Aramaic Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Immediate Contexts 1. Joshua 2:1 – “Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men as spies from Shittim …”. The word stands behind “secretly,” underscoring the silent, covert nature of the mission that prepared the way for Israel’s victory at Jericho. Theme of Concealed Yet Purposeful Activity In both passages the term is tied to quiet, deliberate work that advances God’s redemptive plan. The spies moved unseen, gathering intelligence so that the conquest could proceed according to divine timing. Centuries later, craftsmen labored almost unnoticed in a valley outside the rebuilt city, but their precision and persistence were indispensable to the restoration God had promised. Historical and Geographical Notes • Joshua 2 is set on the eastern side of the Jordan before Israel’s entry into Canaan. The covert operation took place while the nation camped at Shittim, within striking distance of Jericho. Silence and Skill: Two Sides of One Root Idea The underlying root can denote either “to be silent” or “to work as an artisan.” In Scripture these meanings converge: the disciplined restraint required for secrecy is akin to the disciplined precision required for craftsmanship. Both demand focus, patience, and a readiness to serve larger purposes than personal acclaim. Theological Reflections • God often advances His purposes through means that remain hidden until the appointed moment (Psalm 91:1; Mark 4:26-29). New Testament Echoes Acts 18:3 portrays Paul supporting ministry through tentmaking, modeling the dignity of craftsmanship in kingdom service. Matthew 6:4 encourages discreet giving, echoing the Old Testament linkage between secrecy and faithful action. Ministry Application • Strategic discretion: Not every aspect of ministry belongs in public view; some tasks prosper best when carried out “in secret” until God reveals the fruit. Summary חֶרֶשׁ weaves together the silence of covert obedience and the skill of patient workmanship. Whether moving stealthily across Jordan or fashioning tools in a valley outside Jerusalem, those who embody its spirit advance the unfolding account of redemption with steady hands and quiet hearts. Forms and Transliterations הַחֲרָשִֽׁים׃ החרשים׃ חֶ֣רֶשׁ חרש Cheresh ha·ḥă·rā·šîm hacharaShim haḥărāšîm ḥe·reš ḥerešLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 2:1 HEB: אֲנָשִׁ֤ים מְרַגְּלִים֙ חֶ֣רֶשׁ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְכ֛וּ NAS: as spies secretly from Shittim, KJV: men to spy secretly, saying, Go INT: men spies secretly saying Go Nehemiah 11:35 2 Occurrences |
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practise magic, חָרָשׁ, 
magician, 
incantation, magic art, preparation of magic potion, so Ethiopic 
one using incantations; 
incantation, magic; compare perhaps Arabic 
, 
a medicinal broth given to women in childbed; חֶרֶשׁ perhaps magical drug, see RSJPh xiv. 1885, 125) — only חֲכַם חֲרָשִׁים