חָרַת
to engrave
Definition
The Hebrew verb חָרַת (chârath) means 'to engrave' or 'to cut in,' specifically referring to the act of inscribing or carving letters or designs into a hard surface like stone or metal. Its primary and only biblical occurrence is in Exodus 32:16, describing the tablets of the law as 'the work of God' and 'the writing of God, graven (חָרוּת) upon the tables.' This usage emphasizes a permanent, divinely authored inscription. While the verb itself appears only once, its related noun forms, like 'engraving tool' (חֶרֶט), appear in contexts of crafting sacred objects (e.g., Exodus 35:35).
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Exodus 32:16, to describe the divine origin of the Ten Commandments inscribed on stone tablets. The context is highly significant, contrasting God's perfect, eternal engraving with the human-made, idolatrous golden calf fashioned in the same chapter. The passive participle form (חָרוּת) underscores that the engraving was God's own action, not human craftsmanship.
Etymology
חָרַת is a primitive root meaning 'to engrave' or 'to cut in.' It is related to the noun חֶרֶט (cheret, H2717), meaning 'stylus' or 'engraving tool,' and shares a semantic field with other roots involving cutting or digging, such as חָרַשׁ (charash, H2790) for 'to engrave' or 'plow' and כָּרַת (karath, H3772) for 'to cut' or 'make a covenant.' The concept connects the physical act of inscribing with creating a lasting record.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it describes the divine authorship and permanence of God's law. In Exodus 32:16, the engraving is explicitly God's work, highlighting the direct communication of His covenant and moral standards to Israel. This contrasts sharply with human idol-making, underscoring the superiority of God's written word over human inventions. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of the Sinai narrative by emphasizing the tangible, enduring nature of God's revelation.
In the ancient Near East, engraving on stone or metal was a method for creating permanent, authoritative records, such as treaties, laws, or dedications to deities. The description of God engraving the tablets places the Decalogue within this cultural framework of enduring covenant documents. Unlike temporary writing on parchment or papyrus, engraving in stone signified unchangeable truth and monumental importance, which would have been immediately understood by the original audience.
חָרַשׁ (charash, H2790) — a broader term for engraving, often in the context of skilled craftsmanship for objects like idols or jewelry. פָּסַל (pasal, H6458) — to hew or carve, typically used for shaping stone or wood into idols or images. כָּתַב (katav, H3789) — the general verb for writing, not necessarily implying engraving into a hard surface.
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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