Original Word: חֹרֶף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: choreph
Pronunciation: kho-ref'
Phonetic Spelling: (kho'-ref)
Definition: Winter, harvest-time
Meaning: the crop gathered, the autumn, season, ripeness of age

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to pluck or gather

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "choreph," the concept of seasons, including winter, is captured in Greek words like "χειμών" (cheimōn - G5494), which also means winter.

Usage: The Hebrew word "choreph" primarily refers to the season of winter. It is used in the context of the agricultural cycle in ancient Israel, marking a time of cold weather and the end of the harvest season. In a broader sense, it can also denote a period of dormancy or rest in the natural world.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the seasons were crucial for survival and prosperity. "Choreph" marked the time when the land rested after the harvest, and people prepared for the coming spring planting. Winter was a time for reflection, planning, and reliance on stored provisions. The Israelites' understanding of seasons was deeply connected to their dependence on God's provision and the natural order He established.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
harvest time, autumn
NASB Translation
autumn (1), prime (1), winter (5).

חֹ֫רֶף noun masculine harvest-time, autumn (Arabic freshly gathered fruit, autumn (also rain of autumn or beginning of winter) = Sabean חֿרפ (ןׅ DHM^{ZMG 1875, xxix. 597}; Sabean חֿרף, חֿרפם = year, compare Ethiopic annus currens Os (Levy)^{ZMG 1865, 168, 174} DHM^{ZMG 1883, 369}; Assyrian —arpu, Schr^{JPTh 1875, 341} KAT^253n. = COT^{i. 54 n}.) — absolute ׳ח Zechariah 14:8 5t.; suffix חָרְמִּי Job 29:4; — קַיִץ וָחֹרֶף Genesis 8:22 (J), Psalm 74:17; Zechariah 14:8; ׳בֵּית הַח autumn-house or palace Amos 3:15; Jeremiah 36:22 (+ בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַתְּשִׁיעִי in the 9th month, i.e. Nov-Dec.); ׳מח עָצֵל לֹא יַחֲרשׁ Proverbs 20:4 a sluggard ploughs not after harvest; as implying maturity, בִּימֵי חָרְמִּי Job 29:4 in the days of my autumn (prime).

cold, winter house, youth

From charaph.; properly, the crop gathered, i.e. (by implication) the autumn (and winter) season; figuratively, ripeness of age -- cold, winter (-house), youth.

see HEBREW charaph.

הַחֹ֔רֶף הַחֹ֖רֶף החרף וָ֝חֹ֗רֶף וָחֹ֛רֶף וּבָחֹ֖רֶף ובחרף וחרף חָרְפִּ֑י חרפי מֵ֭חֹרֶף מחרף charePi ha·ḥō·rep̄ ḥā·rə·pî haChoref haḥōrep̄ ḥārəpî mê·ḥō·rep̄ Mechoref mêḥōrep̄ ū·ḇā·ḥō·rep̄ ūḇāḥōrep̄ uvaChoref vaChoref wā·ḥō·rep̄ wāḥōrep̄Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts