חֲרָשִׁים
mechanics, the name of a valley in Jerusalem
Definition
The Hebrew word חֲרָשִׁים (Chărâshîym) is the plural form of חָרָשׁ (charash), meaning 'craftsman,' 'artisan,' or 'engraver.' In its only biblical occurrence, it functions as a proper noun, 'Valley of Craftsmen' (1 Chronicles 4:14). This name likely designated a specific geographic location in the vicinity of Jerusalem, possibly inhabited by a guild or community of skilled workers. While the word itself means 'craftsmen,' its application as a place name gives it a unique, localized meaning in Scripture.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 4:14, where it identifies a valley: 'and Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.' Here, it serves as a toponym (place name), directly derived from the occupation of its inhabitants. There is no other contextual usage to compare, making this a unique, singular reference.
Etymology
חֲרָשִׁים is the masculine plural form of the singular noun חָרָשׁ (charash, H2796). The root ח־ר־שׁ (ḥ-r-sh) carries the core meaning of 'to cut in,' 'engrave,' or 'fabricate.' Thus, a חָרָשׁ is fundamentally one who works with material by cutting, carving, or crafting, encompassing professions like metalworkers, woodworkers, and stonemasons. The plural form here is used collectively for a group of such artisans.
Semantic Range
The 'Valley of Craftsmen' reflects the social and economic organization of ancient Israel, where skilled trades were often practiced in specific familial or communal groups and sometimes concentrated in particular districts. Naming a valley after its residents' profession highlights the importance of craftsmanship and specialized labor in building and maintaining society, including the construction of the Temple. It signifies that skilled manual labor was valued and could define a community's identity.
חָרָשׁ (charash, H2796) — The singular form meaning 'craftsman' or 'artisan,' from which the plural and place name are derived. חָרַשׁ (charash, H2790) — A verb meaning 'to cut in,' 'engrave,' or 'plow,' sharing the same root and illustrating the action behind the craft.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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