חָרַף
cha.raph
to taunt
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "cha.raph" (Strong's number: H2778A) is defined as "to taunt." This verb conveys the idea of mocking or ridiculing someone, often with the intention of belittling or humiliating them. It is used 39 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in the Hebrew language and its importance in various contexts. The range of usage for "cha.raph" is quite broad, encompassing both interpersonal and social interactions. It can be used to describe verbal abuse, ridicule, or scorn, as well as to convey a sense of mocking or derision. In some cases, it may also imply a sense of contempt or disdain. This word is often used in situations where someone is being mocked or belittled for their actions, words, or circumstances. The significance of "cha.raph" lies in its ability to convey the hurtful and damaging effects of mockery and ridicule. It highlights the importance of treating others with kindness, respect, and compassion, and warns against the dangers of verbal abuse and humiliation. By understanding the meaning and usage of this word, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of building and maintaining healthy relationships, and for treating others with dignity and respect.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
39 total occurrences across the text
He also wrote letters insulting Yahweh, the God of Israel, and speaking against him, saying, “As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall the God of Hezekiah not deliver his people out of my hand.”
Nehemiah 6:13He hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
Job 27:6I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart will not reproach me so long as I live.
Psalms 42:10As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”
Psalms 44:16at the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
Psalms 55:12For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him.
Psalms 57:3He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
Psalms 69:9For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
Psalms 74:10How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?
Psalms 74:18Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name.
Psalms 79:12Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.
Psalms 89:51With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh, with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
Psalms 89:51With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh, with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
Psalms 102:8My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
Psalms 119:42So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
Proverbs 14:31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
Proverbs 17:5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 27:11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
Isaiah 37:4It may be Yahweh your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”
Isaiah 37:17Turn your ear, Yahweh, and hear. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and behold. Hear all of the words of Sennacherib, who has sent to defy the living God.
Isaiah 37:23Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 37:24By your servants, you have defied the Lord, and have said, “With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon. I will cut down its tall cedars and its choice cypress trees. I will enter into its farthest height, the forest of its fruitful field.
Isaiah 65:7your own iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together”, says Yahweh, “who have burned incense on the mountains, and blasphemed me on the hills. Therefore I will first measure their work into their bosom.”
Zephaniah 2:8I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the insults of the children of Ammon, with which they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
Zephaniah 2:10This they will have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of Yahweh of Armies.
Judges 5:18Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.
Judges 8:15He came to the men of Succoth, and said, “See Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’ ”
1 Samuel 17:10The Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel today! Give me a man, that we may fight together!”
1 Samuel 17:25The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? He has surely come up to defy Israel. The king will give great riches to the man who kills him, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.”
1 Samuel 17:26David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
1 Samuel 17:36Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”
1 Samuel 17:45Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
2 Samuel 21:21When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, killed him.
2 Samuel 23:9After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel had gone away.
2 Kings 19:4It may be Yahweh your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”
2 Kings 19:16Incline your ear, Yahweh, and hear. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see. Hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to defy the living God.
2 Kings 19:22Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel!
2 Kings 19:23By your messengers, you have defied the Lord, and have said, “With the multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon, and I will cut down its tall cedars and its choice cypress trees; and I will enter into his farthest lodging place, the forest of his fruitful field.
1 Chronicles 20:7When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother killed him.