הַר
Har
Mountain, hill, mount
Har (הַר) is a Hebrew word meaning “mountain, hill, mount,” pronounced “HAHR.” Derived from the root ה-ר, har appears 550 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H2022).
| Hebrew | הַר |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Har |
| Pronunciation | HAHR |
| Meaning | Mountain, hill, mount |
| Root Letters | ה-ר |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 550× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 121:1 |
| Strong's Number | H2022 |
| Category | Nature & Creation |
Mountains are the places where heaven touches earth in the Bible. The Hebrew word har (הַר) appears at nearly every climactic moment in Scripture: Abraham's test on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22), the giving of the Torah on Har Sinai (Exodus 19), Elijah's showdown on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), Jesus' transfiguration on a high mountain (Matthew 17), and the ascension from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12). When the Psalmist writes, 'I lift up my eyes to the harim (mountains)' in Psalm 121:1, the question is whether he looks to the mountains for help — or to the God who made them. In ancient Near Eastern culture, mountains were considered the dwelling places of the gods. Israel's radical claim was that the God of Har Sinai was not confined to any mountain but chose to meet His people there. The mountain is an invitation, not a prison. Understanding har reveals why every major covenant, revelation, and turning point in the Bible takes place on elevated ground — because that is where God descends and humanity ascends to meet.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 121:1
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains (harim) — where does my help come from?”
What Is the Root of Har in Hebrew?
Har is one of the simplest and most ancient Hebrew nouns. The root ה-ר appears across all Semitic languages. Its basic meaning is an elevated place. The plural 'harim' is one of the most common geographical terms in the Hebrew Bible.
What Does Har Mean in the Bible?
Har appears over 550 times in the Hebrew Bible. Key mountains include Sinai/Horeb (Torah), Moriah (Temple), Zion (Jerusalem), Carmel (Elijah), and the Olives (ascension). Mountains are consistently the locations of divine encounter.
How Is Har Used in Modern Hebrew?
In modern Israel, Har HaZeitim (Mount of Olives) holds the world's oldest continuously used Jewish cemetery. 'Har Herzl' is Israel's national cemetery named after Theodor Herzl. Mountains remain central to Israeli geography and identity.
How to Use Har in Prayer & Worship
Like the Psalmist, lift your eyes to the mountains — not to worship creation, but to remember the Creator who meets us on high ground. Ask God to draw you into 'mountain-top' encounters with His presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Har
How do you say “Mountain” in Hebrew?
“Mountain” in Hebrew is Har (הַר), pronounced “HAHR.” Har is one of the simplest and most ancient Hebrew nouns. The root ה-ר appears across all Semitic languages. Its basic meaning is an elevated place. The plural 'harim' is one of the most common geographical terms in the Hebrew Bible.
What does Har mean in the Bible?
Har (הַר) means “Mountain, hill, mount” in Biblical Hebrew. Har appears over 550 times in the Hebrew Bible. Key mountains include Sinai/Horeb (Torah), Moriah (Temple), Zion (Jerusalem), Carmel (Elijah), and the Olives (ascension). Mountains are consistently the locations of divine encounter.
How do you pronounce Har?
Har is pronounced “HAHR.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ה-ר.
What are the most important mountains in the Bible?
The Bible's most significant mountains include: Mount Moriah where Abraham offered Isaac and where the Temple was built; Mount Sinai where God gave the Torah; Mount Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal; Mount Zion which symbolizes God's eternal kingdom; and the Mount of Olives from which Jesus ascended and to which He will return (Zechariah 14:4).
Is Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb the same mountain?
Most scholars believe Sinai and Horeb are two names for the same mountain. Exodus tends to use 'Sinai' while Deuteronomy prefers 'Horeb.' Some suggest Sinai is the mountain range and Horeb is the specific peak. The exact location remains debated, with candidates in the southern Sinai Peninsula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere.
What does 'Mount Zion' represent in the Bible?
Har Tziyon (Mount Zion) began as the name for the Jebusite fortress David conquered (2 Samuel 5:7) and expanded to represent the Temple Mount, all of Jerusalem, and ultimately God's eternal kingdom. In prophetic literature, Zion represents God's dwelling place among His people. Hebrews 12:22 tells believers 'you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God.'
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H2022: Har
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 121:1 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ה-ר
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