Lexical Summary cheresh: Deaf, silent Original Word: חֵרֵשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deaf From charash; deaf (whether literally or spir.) -- deaf. see HEBREW charash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom charash Definition deaf NASB Translation deaf (7), deaf man (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֵרֵשׁ adjective deaf — חֵרֵשׁ (= חִרֵּשׁ ֗֗֗ ) Exodus 4:11 4t.; plural חֵרְשִׁים Isaiah 29:18 3t.; — deaf, Exodus 4:11 (J; "" אִלֵּם), Psalm 38:14 ("" id.); also Leviticus 19:14 (H), Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 42:18,19 + Isaiah 42:19 b (for last עִוֵּר, compare Isaiah 43:8; GrJQ 1891, Oct. p. 2 see CheComm., JQ Jan. 1892, 382), Isaiah 43:8; ׳מֶּ֫תֶן ח Psalm 58:5 a deaf adder. Topical Lexicon Etymology and Semantics חֵרֵשׁ denotes a person who is deaf or, more broadly, one whose ears are closed to sound. The term can describe literal physical impairment or serve figuratively for spiritual obtuseness. In several passages it stands parallel to חֵרֵשׁ (“mute”) or עִוֵּר (“blind”), reinforcing the motif of sensory incapacity. Occurrences in Scripture The word appears nine times, distributed across the Pentateuch (Exodus 4:11; Leviticus 19:14), the Psalms (Psalm 38:13; Psalm 58:4), and Isaiah’s prophecies (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 42:18; 42:19; 43:8). These contexts fall naturally into three thematic groups: divine sovereignty, covenant ethics, and prophetic proclamation. Physical Deafness and Divine Sovereignty The first mention situates deafness under God’s creative prerogative. “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11). The verse affirms that physical limitations are neither accidents nor barriers to divine calling; they fall under the same sovereign mercy that equips Moses for service. Moral Obligations toward the Deaf Leviticus legislates protective care: “You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God” (Leviticus 19:14). Israel’s social ethic rests on the fear of God, making mistreatment of vulnerable persons an offense against Him. This text continues to ground Christian advocacy for those with disabilities and models a covenant community that safeguards dignity. Deafness as a Metaphor for Spiritual Unresponsiveness The Psalms employ חֵרֵשׁ to describe voluntary deadness to truth. David laments, “I am like a deaf man; I do not hear” (Psalm 38:13), underscoring the isolation of unconfessed sin. Conversely, the wicked “shut [their] ears” like an untamable cobra (Psalm 58:4), illustrating hardened resistance to righteous appeal. In both cases, hearing loss pictures moral insensitivity. Prophetic Indictment and Irony Isaiah addresses the covenant community itself: “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, that you may see!” (Isaiah 42:18). The servant nation, appointed to proclaim truth, has become deaf to that very word (Isaiah 42:19). Thus חֵרֵשׁ exposes religious complacency: possessing revelation without perceiving it. Isaiah 43:8 extends the charge to “a people who have ears but are deaf,” further highlighting the tragedy of unused privilege. Messianic Hope and the Opening of Ears Isaiah’s oracles do not end in judgment. They promise the reversal of sensory deprivation: “On that day the deaf will hear the words of a scroll” (Isaiah 29:18); “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped” (Isaiah 35:5). These prophecies anticipate the ministry of Jesus Christ, who literally healed the deaf (Mark 7:32-37) and spiritually enabled faith by the preaching of the Gospel (Romans 10:17). The physical miracles serve as signs of the larger eschatological restoration. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Compassionate inclusion: Congregations imitate Christ by removing communicative barriers (e.g., sign-language interpretation) so the deaf may “hear the words of the scroll.” Applications for Today • Guard speech: Avoid “cursing the deaf” by refusing careless words about any marginalized group. חֵרֵשׁ thus confronts readers with both the reality of human limitation and the promise of redemptive transformation, calling the people of God to compassionate action and attentive obedience. Forms and Transliterations הַחֵרְשִׁ֖ים החרשים וְחֵרְשִׁ֖ים וְחֵרֵ֖שׁ וחרש וחרשים חֵ֝רֵ֗שׁ חֵרְשִׁ֖ים חֵרֵ֔שׁ חרש חרשים כְ֭חֵרֵשׁ כחרש Checheresh cheResh chereShim ha·ḥê·rə·šîm hachereShim haḥêrəšîm ḥê·rə·šîm ḥê·rêš ḥêrêš ḥêrəšîm ḵə·ḥê·rêš ḵəḥêrêš vecheResh vechereShim wə·ḥê·rə·šîm wə·ḥê·rêš wəḥêrêš wəḥêrəšîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 4:11 HEB: אִלֵּ֔ם א֣וֹ חֵרֵ֔שׁ א֥וֹ פִקֵּ֖חַ NAS: [him] mute or deaf, or seeing KJV: the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, INT: mute or deaf or seeing Leviticus 19:14 Psalm 38:13 Psalm 58:4 Isaiah 29:18 Isaiah 35:5 Isaiah 42:18 Isaiah 42:19 Isaiah 43:8 9 Occurrences |
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