Biblical Meaning and Context
The Hebrew word הָרַס (H2040) has the meaning of "destroy," "to uproot," "to cast away," or "to tear down." In the biblical context, this word is generally used to denote the action of completely destroying something, whether a city, a building, or a nation.
Primary root; to pull down or to pieces, to break, to destroy: - ruin, lay waste, overthrow, shatter, crumble, destroyer, overthrow, overturn.
Biblical Use:
The verb הָרַס (haras) is found in several Old Testament passages, and its meaning is related to the act of destruction or annihilation. It can refer to both physical destruction and elimination in a broader sense, as in the context of divine judgment.
For example:
Jeremiah 49:20: "Therefore hear the counsel that the Lord has made concerning Edom, and his thoughts concerning the inhabitants of Teman: They will surely drag them away, the young of the flock they will tear them to pieces..."
Ezekiel 30:16: "I will set a fire in Egypt, and all its helpers will be destroyed; and they will know that I am the Lord, when I set a fire in Egypt, and all its helpers will be destroyed."
The verb הָרַס (H2040) emphasizes total destruction or devastation, which is a form of judgment, especially in the context of nations or peoples who disobey God.
Summary:
In the biblical context, הָרַס (H2040) refers to "destroy" or "raze" and is commonly used to describe acts of total destruction, whether of cities, nations, or symbolic elements of divine judgment.