חָנֵף
cha.neph
to pollute
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredIn the Hebrew Bible, the word is defined as "to pollute." Its transliteration, , gives us a glimpse into its possible origins and phonetic qualities. Occurring 11 times, it is a relatively common term that holds significance across various contexts. Its meaning of "to pollute" implies a breaking down or contamination of something that was previously pure or sacred. This can extend to both physical and spiritual realms, affecting people, places, or objects. We can infer that the concept of pollution encompasses defilement, contamination, or tainting that renders something no longer suitable for its intended purpose. Given its frequency and various applications, we can see the importance of maintaining purity and avoiding pollution in the Hebrew Bible. This concern is not limited to external or material aspects but also extends to a person's character and inner life. As implies the loss of something vital, it highlights the significance of guarding against contamination, whether through actions, associations, or internal choices.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences across the text
They shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land was polluted with blood.
Isaiah 24:5The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.
Jeremiah 3:1“They say, ‘If a man puts away his wife, and she goes from him, and becomes another man’s, should he return to her again?’ Wouldn’t that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the prostitute with many lovers; yet return again to me,” says Yahweh.
Jeremiah 3:1“They say, ‘If a man puts away his wife, and she goes from him, and becomes another man’s, should he return to her again?’ Wouldn’t that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the prostitute with many lovers; yet return again to me,” says Yahweh.
Jeremiah 3:2“Lift up your eyes to the bare heights, and see! Where have you not been lain with? You have sat waiting for them by the road, as an Arabian in the wilderness. You have polluted the land with your prostitution and with your wickedness.
Jeremiah 3:9Because she took her prostitution lightly, the land was polluted, and she committed adultery with stones and with wood.
Jeremiah 23:11for both prophet and priest are profane. Yes, in my house I have found their wickedness,” says Yahweh.
Daniel 11:32He will corrupt those who do wickedly against the covenant by flatteries; but the people who know their God will be strong, and take action.
Micah 4:11Now many nations have assembled against you, that say, “Let her be defiled, and let our eye gloat over Zion.”
Numbers 35:33“ ‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.
Numbers 35:33“ ‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.