Lexical Summary Cheresh: Heresh Original Word: חֶרֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Heresh The same as cheresh -- Cheresh, a Levite -- Heresh. see HEBREW cheresh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as cheresh Definition a Levite NASB Translation Heresh (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs III. חֶ֫רֶשׁ proper name, masculine a Levite 1 Chronicles 9:15 ᵐ5 Παραιηλ, A Αρες, ᵐ5L Αρης. Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrence Heresh appears once in the Old Testament, in the genealogical register of post-exilic Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9: 15). Historical context 1 Chronicles chapters 9–10 recount how survivors of the Babylonian captivity returned to inhabit Jerusalem and re-establish worship in the rebuilt temple. The Chronicler carefully lists the families who resumed their ancestral duties so that later generations would see the continuity of covenant faithfulness from pre-exilic days. Heresh is named among those Levites who settled in the city soon after the return, underscoring that even seemingly obscure servants were integral to the restoration. Levitical function The placement of Heresh immediately after Shemaiah “a descendant of Merari” and before Mattaniah “of Asaph” links him to the guild of temple musicians. In Chronicles, Merarites often oversaw practical matters of the sanctuary (1 Chronicles 23: 6, 22: 28), while the sons of Asaph were appointed singers (1 Chronicles 25: 1-2). By grouping Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal with these men, the text hints that Heresh served either as a singer or as support staff who made continuous worship possible. His name thus belongs to the roster of Levites who ensured that praise again rose from Zion after decades of silence (Ezra 3: 10-11). Theological significance 1. Faithfulness in obscurity. Scripture records no exploits or prophecies from Heresh, yet his inclusion testifies that the Lord values faithfulness over fame. As Nehemiah later observes, “The singers were on duty day after day” (Nehemiah 12: 46-47), and their hidden perseverance sustained public worship. Root associations and thematic resonance Although חֶרֶשׁ can trace back to verbs meaning “to be silent” or “to carve/plow,” Heresh’s ministry points in the opposite direction of spiritual muteness: he helped turn silence into song. The name thereby becomes a living parable—God transforms exile-induced quiet into audible praise. Practical lessons for ministry today • Value unseen service. The modern church requires many Heresh-like servants whose names rarely reach the bulletin yet whose labor keeps worship vibrant. Related references Ezra 3: 8-11; Nehemiah 12: 27-47; Psalm 87: 5-7; Revelation 5: 9-10 Forms and Transliterations חֶ֖רֶשׁ חרש ChereshLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 9:15 HEB: וּבַקְבַּקַּ֥ר חֶ֖רֶשׁ וְגָלָ֑ל וּמַתַּנְיָה֙ NAS: and Bakbakkar, Heresh and Galal KJV: And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, INT: and Bakbakkar Heresh and Galal and Mattaniah |
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