The Hebrew verb הָרַס (root: ה־ר־ס) means “to destroy,” “to tear down,” or “to demolish.” It is used in both literal and figurative senses in the Hebrew Bible—referring to the destruction of physical structures (like cities, altars, or houses) and metaphorically to the ruin of plans, pride, or kingdoms.
It appears in the Qal stem as a strong verb of physical destruction, and in the Hiphil stem for causative forms like “to bring destruction upon.”
Qal Binyan Conjugation of הָרַס (“to destroy, tear down”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | הָרַסְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | הָרַסְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הָרַסְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | הָרַס |
| 3rd person feminine singular | הָרְסָה |
| 1st person plural | הָרַסְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הֲרַסְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הֲרַסְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | הָרְסוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | הוֹרֵס |
| Feminine singular | הוֹרֶסֶת |
| Masculine plural | הוֹרְסִים |
| Feminine plural | הוֹרְסוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶהֱרֹס |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תַּהֲרֹס |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תַּהֲרְסִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יֶהֱרֹס |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תַּהֲרֹס |
| 1st person plural | נֶהֱרֹס |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תַּהֲרְסוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תַּהֲרֹסְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יֶהֱרְסוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | הֲרֹס |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הַרְסִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הַרְסוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הֲרֹסְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Judges 6:25 – וְהָרַסְתָּ֗ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַבַּ֨עַל֙
“Tear down the altar of Baʿal” — Gideon is commanded to destroy a pagan altar. - Psalm 11:3 – כִּ֣י הַ֭שָּׁתֹות יֵֽהָרֵס֑וּן צַ֝דִּ֗יק מַה־פָּעָֽל׃
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” — figurative use.
Summary
The verb הָרַס vividly depicts the act of destruction. It appears in military, religious, and metaphorical settings. Whether referring to tearing down altars, leveling cities, or undoing moral foundations, this verb powerfully conveys ruin and collapse—both physical and symbolic. It remains active in Modern Hebrew with similar force.
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