Hebrew · Strong's H2026
הָרַג
(hah-RAG)
verb
To kill, murder, or slay, often with intent or violence, ranging from simple killing to premeditated murder.
The Hebrew verb הָרַג (harag) primarily means "to kill" or "to slay." Its semantic range encompasses a broad spectrum of lethal actions, from the act of taking a life in battle or as a judicial punishment to the more specific act of murder. It often implies a violent or decisive termination of life. While it can describe legitimate acts of killing, such as in warfare or as execution for a crime, it also frequently appears in contexts condemning unlawful killing, highlighting the gravity of taking a human life.
Usage of harag is prominent in legal and historical texts, as well as in prophetic warnings. In the legal portions of the Old Testament, it delineates actions that are punishable by death, such as in the case of premeditated murder (Exodus 21:14). Historically, it describes the killing of individuals or groups in conflicts, as seen in the accounts of battles and judgments. The prophets use harag to depict the destruction and judgment that will come upon nations or individuals due to their sin, emphasizing the severity of divine retribution.
The term does not inherently carry a theological weight beyond the act of killing itself, but the contexts in which it appears often imbue it with significance concerning justice, sin, and divine judgment. For instance, the killing of a righteous person (2 Samuel 4:11) is presented as a grave evil, demanding retribution. The concept of "murder" is a central theme in biblical ethics, and harag is a key verb used to express this transgression, often contrasting with mere accidental or justified killing.
Common English renderings
- destroy
- kill
- murder
- slay
- put to death
Key verses
"Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people; the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever."
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"Then he called hastily unto the young man his armorbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died."
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"And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die."
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"How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed, shall I not now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?"
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"Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a portion unto his daughter, Solomon’s wife."
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Related words