What does חָרַף mean in the Bible?
e. e.
Hebrew · H2778
חָרַף
To pull off , i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at , i.e. defame ; to spend the winter
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חָרַףH2778
What does חָרַף mean in the Bible?
חָרַף is a Hebrew word meaning "to pull off , i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at , i.e. defame ; to spend the winter".
Full entry for חָרַף (H2778) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2778?
The BSB source-word alignment has 41 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include to defy (5), and when he taunted (2), have taunted (2), have you taunted (2), taunt me (2).
Where does חָרַף appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Leviticus 19:20. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (12), Isaiah (6), 1 Samuel (5), 2 Kings (4).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itto defy5×1 Samuel 17:25, 2 Kings 19:4, 2 Kings 19:16, Isaiah 37:4
and when he taunted2×2 Samuel 21:21, 1 Chronicles 20:7
have taunted2×Psalms 89:51, Zephaniah 2:8
have you taunted2×2 Kings 19:22, Isaiah 37:23
taunt me2×Psalms 42:10, Psalms 102:8
you have taunted2×2 Kings 19:23, Isaiah 37:24
accuse me1×Job 27:6
and scorned Me1×Isaiah 65:7
defy1×1 Samuel 17:10
discredit me1×Nehemiah 6:13
has mocked You1×Psalms 74:18
have mocked1×Psalms 89:51
he has defied1×1 Samuel 17:36
He rebukes1×Psalms 57:3
he should defy1×1 Samuel 17:26
him who taunts me1×Proverbs 27:11
in winter1×Isaiah 18:6
insults1×Proverbs 17:5
mocking1×2 Chronicles 32:17
of the scorner1×Psalms 44:16
of those who insult You1×Psalms 69:9
promised1×Leviticus 19:20
taunt You1×Psalms 74:10
taunting1×Zephaniah 2:10
taunts1×Proverbs 14:31
they hurled at You1×Psalms 79:12
to taunt1×2 Samuel 23:9
who insults me1×Psalms 55:12
who risked1×Judges 5:18
who taunts1×Psalms 119:42
you have defied1×1 Samuel 17:45
you taunted1×Judges 8:15
Show sample aligned rows
Leviticus 19:20נֶחֱרֶ֣פֶתtopromisedVerb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singularJudges 5:18חֵרֵ֥ףtowho riskedVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularJudges 8:15חֵרַפְתֶּ֨םtoyou tauntedVerb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine plural1 Samuel 17:10חֵרַ֛פְתִּיtodefyVerb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular1 Samuel 17:25לְחָרֵ֥ףtoto defyPreposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct1 Samuel 17:26חֵרֵ֔ףtohe should defyVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 17:36חֵרֵ֔ףtohe has defiedVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 17:45חֵרַֽפְתָּ׃toyou have defiedVerb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular2 Samuel 21:21וַיְחָרֵ֖ףtoand when he tauntedConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Samuel 23:9בְּחָֽרְפָ֤םtoto tauntPreposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowLeviticus 19:20
Aligned rows41
Books represented13
Leviticus1Judges21 Samuel52 Samuel22 Kings41 Chronicles12 Chronicles1Nehemiah1Job1Psalms12Proverbs3Isaiah6Zephaniah2
Source forms
חֵרֵ֣ף3xḥê·rêp̄Psalms 57:3, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 17:5
וַיְחָרֵ֖ף2xway·ḥā·rêp̄2 Samuel 21:21, 1 Chronicles 20:7
חֵרֵ֔ף2xḥê·rêp̄1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36
חֵֽרְפוּ֙2xḥê·rə·p̄ūZephaniah 2:8, Zephaniah 2:10
חֹרְפִ֣י2xḥō·rə·p̄îPsalms 119:42, Proverbs 27:11
חֵרַ֙פְתָּ֙2xḥê·rap̄·tā2 Kings 19:22, Isaiah 37:23
חֵרַ֣פְתָּ׀2xḥê·rap̄·tā2 Kings 19:23, Isaiah 37:24
לְחָרֵף֙2xlə·ḥā·rêp̄2 Kings 19:4, Isaiah 37:4
Parsing patterns
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular7xJudges 5:18, 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36, Psalms 57:3
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct6x1 Samuel 17:25, 2 Kings 19:4, 2 Kings 19:16, 2 Chronicles 32:17
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular5x1 Samuel 17:45, 2 Kings 19:22, 2 Kings 19:23, Isaiah 37:23
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural4xPsalms 89:51, Zephaniah 2:8, Zephaniah 2:10
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular3xPsalms 42:10, Psalms 102:8, Isaiah 65:7
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2x2 Samuel 21:21, 1 Chronicles 20:7
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular2xPsalms 119:42, Proverbs 27:11
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural1x2 Samuel 23:9
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to pull off , i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at , i.e. defame ; to spend the winter
Source Gloss
to pull off , i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at , i.e. defame ; to spend the winter
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e. defame; to spend the winter BDB: reproach Usage: betroth, blaspheme, defy, jeopard, rail, reproach, upbraid.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups3Aligned forms23
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action20×
Perfect1Sam 17:26 · 1Sam 17:36 · Judg 5:18 · Prov 14:31 · Prov 17:5 · Ps 57:4 · Ps 74:18 · 1Sam 17:45 · 2Kgs 19:22 · 2Kgs 19:23 · Isa 37:23 · Isa 37:24 · Ps 89:52 · Zeph 2:8 · Zeph 2:10 · 1Sam 17:1018×
Participle activePs 44:171×
ImperfectPs 74:101×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense2×
ImperfectIsa 18:6 · Job 27:62×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action1×
Participle activeLev 19:201×
Word Origins
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.