חָרוּז
properly, pierced, i.e. a bead of pearl, gems or jewels (as strung)
Definition
The Hebrew word חָרוּז (chârûz) refers to a piece of jewelry, specifically a bead or gem that has been pierced for stringing. Its core meaning, derived from the idea of being perforated, is a single ornamental bead, often of pearl or another precious stone. In its sole biblical occurrence in Song of Solomon 1:10, it appears in the plural form (חֲרוּזִים, *charuzim*) and is best understood as a 'string of beads' or a 'necklace' composed of such jewels. This imagery is used metaphorically to describe the beauty and adornment of the beloved.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Song of Solomon 1:10. Here, the beloved's cheeks are compared to a 'string of jewels' (חֲרוּזִים) and her neck to ornaments. Its usage is entirely within the poetic and romantic context of the Song, serving as a vivid metaphor for beauty, value, and adornment. There are no other contexts or patterns of usage in the biblical text.
Etymology
The noun חָרוּז comes from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to perforate' or 'to pierce.' This etymological connection directly informs its meaning as a pierced bead meant for stringing. It is related to the concept of something being bored through or threaded.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple noun for jewelry, its use in Song of Solomon 1:10 contributes to the book's rich tapestry of metaphorical language describing covenantal love. The imagery of precious, strung jewels symbolizes the beloved's incomparable value and beauty in the eyes of the lover. This enriches the reading of the Song as an allegory of God's delight in His people and Christ's love for the Church, where believers are seen as treasured adornments.
In the ancient Near East, jewelry made from strung beads of semi-precious stones, gold, or pearls was a sign of status, wealth, and beauty. A 'string of beads' (charuzim) was a common and valuable form of personal adornment. The modern reader should understand this not as a simple chain, but as a costly necklace, heightening the metaphor's force in Song of Solomon.
רָבִיד (ravid, H6060) — a necklace or chain, often of gold; a more general term for a neck ornament. עֲנָק (anaq, H6061) — a necklace or ornament for the neck; similar in usage to ravid.
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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