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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 6:25 – וְהָרַסְתָּ֗ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַבַּ֨עַל֙
“Tear down the altar of Baʿal” — Gideon is commanded to destroy a pagan altar.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
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