חַרְחַס
Charchas, an Israelite
Definition
Charchas (חַרְחַס) is a proper noun referring to an Israelite man, the grandfather of Shallum, who was the husband of the prophetess Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). The name appears only once in the Old Testament, in the context of King Josiah's religious reforms. When the Book of the Law was discovered in the temple, Josiah sent officials to inquire of the Lord through Huldah, identifying her as 'the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Charchas' (2 Kings 22:14, 2 Chronicles 34:22). The name itself may carry a meaning related to 'shining' or 'brilliance,' derived from its etymological root.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively as a proper name for an individual in the historical narrative of 2 Kings 22:14. It functions solely to establish the lineage of Shallum, the husband of the prophetess Huldah, during the reign of King Josiah. There are no other occurrences or contextual variations in the biblical text.
Etymology
The name Charchas likely derives from the Hebrew root חרס (ḥrs), which relates to 'sun,' 'heat,' or 'pottery' (as in חֶרֶס, ḥeres, meaning 'sun' or 'earthenware,' Strong's H2775). This connection suggests a meaning such as 'shining' or 'brilliant.' It is possibly a variant or diminutive form, reflecting a characteristic or hope associated with the individual at birth.
Semantic Range
While the name Charchas itself is not theologically loaded, its appearance is significant for establishing the credibility and social context of the prophetess Huldah. By recording her husband's lineage back to Charchas, the text anchors Huldah within a recognized Israelite family, underscoring the legitimacy of her prophetic office during a critical moment of covenant renewal under Josiah. Understanding this detail enriches the reading of 2 Kings 22 by highlighting how God used a prophetess from a documented family to confirm the authority of the rediscovered Law.
In ancient Israelite culture, personal names often conveyed meaning or parental hopes. A name like Charchas, potentially meaning 'shining,' might reflect a desire for the child's prosperity or character. Recording genealogies, as seen here, was vital for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and social standing. The mention of Charchas in Huldah's lineage confirms her as part of a legitimate Israelite family, which was important for her acceptance as a prophetess.
Harhas (חַרְחַס, H2745) — This is simply an alternate English transliteration (KJV) for the same Hebrew name.
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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