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H2800 · Hebrew · Old Testament
חֲרֹשֶׁת
Charosheth
Proper noun, place
Harosheth-haggoyim

Definition

The Hebrew place name Charosheth (H2800) — often appearing as Harosheth-haggoyim (Harosheth of the nations/Gentiles) — refers to a city in northern Canaan associated with Sisera, the commander of Jabin's Canaanite army who opposed Israel during the time of the judge Deborah. It appears in Judges 4–5. The name may mean 'craftwork' or 'woodland', related to charash (craftsman/artisan).

Usage & Theological Significance

Harosheth-haggoyim is the staging ground from which Sisera marshaled 900 iron chariots against Israel — a formidable technological advantage that made Sisera appear unbeatable. Yet Deborah, the prophetess and judge, declared God's word: 'Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?' (Judges 4:14). The Kishon River flooded, disabling the iron chariots, and Sisera's army was routed. The victory hymn of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5) celebrates how the God of Israel overthrows human military power. The story anticipates the pattern of 1 Corinthians 1:27 — God chooses what is weak and foolish to shame the powerful.

Key Bible Verses

Judges 4:2 So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, whose general was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth Haggoyim.
Judges 4:13 Sisera summoned from Harosheth Haggoyim to the Kishon River all his men and his nine hundred chariots fitted with iron.
Judges 4:16 But Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth Haggoyim, and all Sisera's troops fell by the sword.
Judges 5:20 From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

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