feminine of חֵטְא; an offence, or a sacrifice forit; sin (offering).
Transliteration:chăṭâʼâh
Pronunciation:khat-aw-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חֲטָאָה (chăṭâʼâh, `{{H2401}}`) is derived from the verbal root ח.ט.א (ch.ṭ.ʼ, `{{H2398}}`), which fundamentally means "to miss the mark," "to go astray," or "to fail." As a feminine noun, חֲטָאָה carries a dual semantic range that is crucial for understanding its biblical usage. Primarily, it denotes "sin," "offence," or "transgression"—the act or state of missing God's moral or ritual standard. This encompasses both unintentional errors and deliberate acts of disobedience against divine law or covenant.
Secondly, and significantly, חֲטָאָה also refers to the "sin offering" itself, the prescribed sacrifice designed to atone for sin. This dual meaning highlights the pervasive nature of sin as an offense against God and His holiness, alongside God's gracious provision for its expiation within the covenant framework. The word thus encapsulates both the problem of human fallenness and the divine solution for reconciliation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֲטָאָה appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the Pentateuch, Psalms, and prophetic literature. Its contextual usage illuminates both facets of its meaning:
1. **As "Sin" or "Offence":**
* In the narrative of Cain, חֲטָאָה is personified as a lurking danger: "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it" [[Genesis 4:7]]. Here, it represents the insidious nature and power of transgression.
* In legal contexts, חֲטָאָה describes various forms of moral and ritual impurity or transgression. For instance, the people of Israel are warned against the חֲטָאָה of idolatry [[Exodus 32:30]], and it is the reason for divine judgment [[Numbers 32:23]].
* The Psalms often lament the presence of חֲטָאָה in human lives and appeal for God's forgiveness, as seen in David's confession: "Cleanse me from my sin" [[Psalm 51:2]].
* Prophets frequently denounce the חֲטָאָה of Israel, highlighting its covenantal infidelity and its devastating consequences, such as in Isaiah's indictment: "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" [[Isaiah 59:2]].
2. **As "Sin Offering":**
* This usage is most prominent in the cultic legislation of Leviticus and Numbers. Chapters 4 and 5 of Leviticus meticulously detail the procedures for the חֲטָאָה offering (often translated "sin offering" or "purification offering") for various individuals and the community, depending on the status of the offender and the nature of the unintentional sin.
* The חֲטָאָה offering was distinct from the burnt offering (עֹלָה, `{{H5930}}`) and peace offering (שְׁלָמִים, `{{H8002}}`). Its primary purpose was to make atonement for unintentional sins, purifiying the worshiper and the sanctuary from defilement caused by sin, thereby restoring communion with God [[Leviticus 4:20]], [[Leviticus 4:26]], [[Leviticus 4:31]], [[Leviticus 4:35]], [[Leviticus 5:6]]. The blood of the sacrifice played a central role in this process of expiation and purification.
* Even priests were required to offer a חֲטָאָה for themselves [[Leviticus 9:7]], underscoring the universal need for atonement.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding חֲטָאָה is enhanced by examining its relationship with other key terms for sin and related theological concepts:
* **חֵטְא (cheṭʼ, `{{H2403}}`):** The masculine counterpart to חֲטָאָה, often used interchangeably or with slight nuances. Both derive from the same root ח.ט.א (`{{H2398}}`), emphasizing the idea of "missing the mark."
* **פֶּשַׁע (peshaʿ, `{{H6588}}`):** This term signifies "rebellion," "transgression," or "revolt." It implies a more deliberate and defiant act against authority, a breaking of a covenant or relationship. While חֲטָאָה can encompass unintentional acts, פֶּשַׁע points to a more intentional and defiant breach.
* **עָווֹן (ʿawon, `{{H5771}}`):** Meaning "iniquity," "guilt," or "perversity." This word often highlights the crookedness or distortion of moral character, the inherent guilt associated with sin, and sometimes the punishment that results from it.
* **Atonement (כָּפַר, kaphar, `{{H3722}}`):** The process by which sin is covered or expiated. The חֲטָאָה offering was a primary means of achieving כָּפַר in the Old Testament cult, demonstrating God's provision for dealing with human sin.
* **Purity/Impurity:** חֲטָאָה often led to a state of ritual impurity, necessitating the חֲטָאָה offering for purification and restoration to the community and to God's presence.
* **Covenant:** Sin, particularly חֲטָאָה, is fundamentally a violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people, disrupting the harmony and blessings of that bond.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חֲטָאָה is profound, revealing core truths about God, humanity, and salvation:
1. **The Nature of Sin:** חֲטָאָה underscores that sin is not merely a mistake or an error in judgment, but a moral and spiritual failure to meet God's holy standard. It is a deviation from the path God has set, an offense against His character and will. The concept of "missing the mark" implies a divine target for human behavior and relationship, which sin fails to achieve.
2. **The Holiness of God:** The necessity of the חֲֲטָאָה offering highlights God's absolute holiness. Sin, even unintentional, defiles and creates a barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity. The meticulous rituals associated with the חֲטָאָה offering emphasize that sin must be dealt with seriously and at great cost to maintain the sanctity of God's presence among His people.
3. **Divine Provision for Atonement:** The existence of the חֲטָאָה offering demonstrates God's gracious initiative in providing a means for sinful humanity to be reconciled to Him. It establishes the principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" [[Hebrews 9:22]], pointing to the sacrificial nature of atonement. These offerings, while effective for their time, were temporary and required repetition, foreshadowing a greater, ultimate sacrifice.
4. **Anticipation of Christ:** Biblically, the Old Testament חֲטָאָה offerings serve as typological shadows pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "sin offering" who perfectly fulfilled what the Levitical sacrifices could only anticipate. The New Testament declares that God "made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" [[2 Corinthians 5:21]]. Christ's death on the cross is the once-for-all, perfect חֲטָאָה that truly removes sin and its guilt, providing eternal reconciliation and purification.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חֲטָאָה (chăṭâʼâh, `{{H2401}}`) is a rich and multifaceted term. It fundamentally denotes "sin" or "offence," signifying a failure to meet God's standard, a deviation from the divinely appointed path. Simultaneously, חֲטָאָה refers to the "sin offering," the prescribed sacrificial means by which atonement was made for such transgressions in the Old Testament cult. This dual meaning profoundly illustrates both the pervasive reality of human sinfulness against a holy God and God's gracious, divinely instituted provision for expiation and reconciliation. The Old Testament חֲטָאָה offerings, with their emphasis on blood atonement and purification, served as vital foreshadowings of the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the perfect חֲטָאָה for humanity, providing complete and eternal forgiveness for sin.
TRV