Lexical Summary choresh: Horesh, forest, wooded Original Word: חרֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bough, forest, shroud, wood From charash; a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric) -- bough, forest, shroud, wood. see HEBREW charash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition wood, wooded height NASB Translation forest (2), Horesh (4), wooded (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֹ֫רֶשׁ noun masculineEzekiel 31:3 wood, wooded height (Assyrian —uršu, wooded height COTGloss LyonSargontexte, Gloss (see also DlPr 180 Checritical note on Isaiah 17:9); Late Hebrew חוֺרֶשׁ wood, forest; Aramaic חוּרְשָׁא id.) — absolute ׳ח Isaiah 17:9; Ezekiel 31:3 (but on both see below); חֹ֫רְשָׁה 1 Samuel 23:16 (see Dr); בַּחֹ֫רְשָׁה 1 Samuel 23:15,18,19; plural חֳרָשִׁים2Chronicles 27:4; — wooded height 1 Samuel 23:15 ("" בָּהָר 1 Samuel 23:14), 1 Samuel 23:16; 1 Samuel 23:18, so ׳בַּמְּצָדוֺת בַּח בְּגִבְעַת הַחֲכִילָה 1 Samuel 23:19; בנה בִּירָנִיּוֺת וּמִגְדָּלִים ׳וּבֶח2Chronicles 27:4 and on the wooded heights he built fortresses and towers ("" בְּהַר יְהוּדָה); עֲזוּבַת הַחֹרֶשׁ וְהָאָמִיר Isaiah 17:9 the forsaken places of the wooded heights and summits Ges Ew De Di RV; but read probably החוי והאמרי ׳ע forsaken places of the Hivites and the Amorites, so ᵐ5 Lag Che Or Brd Du; ׳ח מֵצַל Ezekiel 31:3 shade-giving wood or thicket, of close branches of cedar (but sense hardly legitimate; strike out ᵐ5 Co). IV. חרשׁ (√ of following; meaning unknown; suggestions on etymology see below) Topical Lexicon Overview חֶרֶשׁ denotes a wooded area or forest, a landscape feature that functions both literally and symbolically within Scripture. Its seven appearances trace settings of covenant loyalty, royal strategy, prophetic warning, and theological illustration. The Forest of Horesh and David’s Flight (1 Samuel 23:15-19) David’s sojourn “in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh” (1 Samuel 23:15) places the forest at the heart of God’s preservation of the anointed king. Here Jonathan “went to David at Horesh and strengthened his hand in God” (23:16), reaffirming the covenant (23:18). The secluded woodland becomes a sanctuary where faithfulness is rehearsed and future monarchy affirmed, contrasting sharply with Saul’s relentless pursuit. The account reminds readers that divine protection often arises in hidden places, sustaining the faithful until God’s timing brings public vindication. Strategic Timberlands in Judah (2 Chronicles 27:4) King Jotham “built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests,” integrating wooded terrain into defense and administration. Forested highlands supplied construction materials, natural concealment, and elevated vantage points. The verse confirms the practical blessing of God-given resources and endorses prudent stewardship: security and civic development flourish when leaders harness creation responsibly. Prophetic Imagery of Desolation (Isaiah 17:9) Isaiah foresees judgment in which “their strong cities will be like deserted places in the forest”. The once-vibrant settlements become overgrown ruins, warning that covenant unfaithfulness turns refuge into abandonment. The forest that sheltered David becomes, for the rebellious, a picture of isolation and loss, underscoring that the same environment can signal blessing or curse depending on one’s relationship to the LORD. Majestic Canopy and Imperial Pride (Ezekiel 31:3) “Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest”. The surrounding חֶרֶשׁ magnifies the cedar’s dominance, but the chapter proceeds to describe its fall. The forest imagery frames the rise and collapse of empires, teaching that human grandeur stands only while God permits. Nations towering above the woodlands will be felled if they exalt themselves against the Most High. Ecological and Economic Significance Ancient Israel’s limited woodlands made forests precious. They supplied timber for building (houses, weapons, fortifications), fuel, forage, and habitat for game. Governance over forest tracts indicated control of strategic resources, as seen in Jotham’s projects. Biblical authors assume the reader’s awareness of this value, enhancing the force of both historical notes and prophetic analogies. Theological Motifs 1. Shelter and Sustenance: The forest shields the righteous in adversity (David). Application for Ministry • Encourage believers that God provides unexpected refuges amid trials. חֶרֶשׁ therefore weaves together narrative history, royal policy, prophetic warning, and spiritual exhortation—reminding every generation that the God who planted the forests also ordains their role in His redemptive story. Forms and Transliterations בַּחֹ֔רְשָׁה בַּחֹֽרְשָׁה׃ בחרשה בחרשה׃ הַחֹ֙רֶשׁ֙ החרש וְחֹ֥רֶשׁ וּבֶחֳרָשִׁ֣ים ובחרשים וחרש חֹ֑רְשָׁה חרשה ba·ḥō·rə·šāh baChoreshah baḥōrəšāh Choreshah ha·ḥō·reš haChoresh haḥōreš ḥō·rə·šāh ḥōrəšāh ū·ḇe·ḥo·rā·šîm ūḇeḥorāšîm uvechoraShim veChoresh wə·ḥō·reš wəḥōrešLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 23:15 HEB: בְּמִדְבַּר־ זִ֖יף בַּחֹֽרְשָׁה׃ ס NAS: of Ziph at Horesh. KJV: of Ziph in a wood. INT: the wilderness of Ziph Horesh 1 Samuel 23:16 1 Samuel 23:18 1 Samuel 23:19 2 Chronicles 27:4 Isaiah 17:9 Ezekiel 31:3 7 Occurrences |
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