H2759 H2759
scorching/sultry (describing an oppressive east wind)
This adjective appears in Jonah 4:8, describing the east wind that struck Jonah as 'scorching' or 'sultry' (חֲרִישִׁית). The term's precise meaning remains debated—proposals include 'silent,' 'autumnal,' or 'hot/sultry.' The context of God appointing this wind to increase Jonah's discomfort favors an interpretation emphasizing oppressive heat. The Spanish 'caluroso' (hot/sultry) reflects this reading, as the wind compounds the effects of the scorching sun beating on Jonah's head. East winds from the desert characteristically brought withering heat to Israel.
Senses
1. sense 1 — God's appointment of this wind serves to intensify Jonah's suffering after the plant's death, driving him to the point of wishing for death. The qualitative adjective distinguishes this from an ordinary east wind, marking it as especially oppressive. Whether the root relates to silence (sultry stillness), harvest season (autumnal), or heat itself, the narrative function is clear: this wind was designed to afflict, completing Jonah's misery and setting up God's final lesson about compassion. 1×
AR["سَاكِنَةً"]·ben["নীরব"]·DE["[חרישית]"]·EN["scorching"]·FR["laboureur"]·heb["חרישית"]·HI["चिलचिलाती"]·ID["yang-panas,"]·IT["[חרישית]"]·jav["kang-panas-banget"]·KO["조용한"]·PT["abrasador"]·RU["знойный"]·ES["caluroso"]·SW["mkali"]·TR["bunaltıcı"]·urd["گرم"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [חֲרִישִׁי] adj. meaning wholly dub.; only רוּחַ קָדִים חֲרִישִׁית Jon 4:8; a silent east wind is not suitable in context; still = sultry is mere conject.; Hi autumnal (√ I. חרשׁ); St proposes חרישׂית = חריסית, from חֶרֶם sun (or √ whence חֶרֶס comes) hot east wind; We makes no attempt to explain.