חֶרֶב

“Sword” in Hebrew is Cherev (חֶרֶב), pronounced “KHEH-rev.” Cherev likely comes from a root meaning 'to dry up, be desolate, destroy' (ח-ר-ב), connecting the sword to the devastation it causes. The related word 'choreban' means 'destruction,' and 'charev' means 'dry, desolate.'

Cherev (חֶרֶב) means “Sword, blade” in Biblical Hebrew. Cherev appears over 400 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes the flaming sword at Eden (Genesis 3:24), weapons of war, God's judgment (Isaiah 34:5), and is reinterpreted as God's Word in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12).

Cherev is pronounced “KHEH-rev.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ח-ר-ב.

Paul identifies the sword of the Spirit as 'the Word of God.' This is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God — every other piece is defensive. Jesus demonstrated its power when He defeated Satan's temptations by quoting Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). God's Word is the believer's primary weapon.

After the Fall, God placed cherubim with a flaming cherev to guard the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24). This represents both judgment (barring sinful humanity from immortality in a fallen state) and mercy (preventing eternal existence locked in sin). The sword guards until redemption reopens the way.

Isaiah 2:4 prophesies that nations 'shall beat their swords (charevot) into plowshares' — the messianic vision of warfare transformed into agriculture. The cherev, symbol of destruction, becomes a tool of provision. A sculpture of this vision stands outside the United Nations in New York.