The Hebrew Verb הָרַס: To Destroy, Tear Down, or Demolish

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 6:25וְהָרַסְתָּ֗ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַבַּ֨עַל֙
    “Tear down the altar of Baʿal” — Gideon is commanded to destroy a pagan altar.
  • Psalm 11:3כִּ֣י 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.

 

 

About Biblical Hebrew

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