### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **chăṭâʼâh**, represented by `{{H2401}}`, is the feminine form of חֵטְא and refers to **an offence, or a sacrifice for it; sin (offering)**. Though it appears only **8 times** in **8 unique verses**, its usage points to significant, consequential acts of sin and the means of their atonement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H2401}}` is consistently used to describe a "great **sin**". This is seen when Abimelech confronts Abraham for bringing a "great **sin**" on his kingdom [[Genesis 20:9]], and when Moses repeatedly refers to the Israelites' worship of the golden calf as a "great **sin**" ([[Exodus 32:21]], [[Exodus 32:30]], [[Exodus 32:31]]). This gravity is also evident when Jeroboam is described as having "made them **sin** a great **sin**" by leading Israel away from the LORD [[2 Kings 17:21]]. The word also carries a dual meaning, as seen in [[Psalms 40:6]], which contrasts burnt offerings with the "**sin offering**" `{{H2401}}`, and in [[Psalms 32:1]], which speaks of the blessedness of having one's **sin** covered.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller understanding of the concept of sin and its resolution:
* `{{H2398}}` **châṭâʼ** (to sin): As the primitive root, this word means to miss the mark. It describes the act of sinning itself, such as David's confession, "I have sinned `{{H2398}}` against the LORD" [[2 Samuel 12:13]], and the principle that "the soul that sinneth `{{H2398}}`, it shall die" [[Ezekiel 18:20]].
* `{{H2403}}` **chaṭṭâʼâh** (an offence): An alternative form that signifies an offence, its penalty, or its sacrifice. It is used in contexts of God forgiving sin, as when He promises to "remember their **sin** `{{H2403}}` no more" [[Jeremiah 31:34]].
* `{{H3722}}` **kâphar** (to cover, expiate, make atonement): This word describes the remedy for sin. It is directly linked to `{{H2401}}` when Moses declares his intent to "make an atonement `{{H3722}}`" for the people's great sin [[Exodus 32:30]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2401}}` is significant, focusing on the gravity of sin and the necessity of a remedy.
* **The "Great Sin"**: The term is reserved for offenses of a high magnitude, often with national consequences. These are not minor failings but acts that bring severe guilt upon a person or kingdom, such as the sin brought upon Abimelech's kingdom [[Genesis 20:9]] or the Israelites' idolatry [[Exodus 32:31]].
* **Sin and Atonement**: The word intrinsically links the offense with its solution. A "great **sin**" necessitates an action to resolve it, whether it is being "covered" [[Psalms 32:1]] or atoned for through a "**sin offering**" [[Psalms 40:6]]. This connection is made explicit in Moses' intercession [[Exodus 32:30]].
* **Perversion of Righteousness**: The term can describe a state of profound corruption, where even righteous acts become corrupted. In a curse against the wicked, the psalmist prays that "his prayer become **sin**" [[Psalms 109:7]], indicating a complete reversal of what is good.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2401}}` **chăṭâʼâh** is a potent term that, despite its infrequent use, defines a specific category of severe offense. It is more than a simple mistake; it is a "great **sin**" that carries significant consequences and demands a response. By also referring to the "**sin offering**," the word uniquely encapsulates both the profound problem of human offense and the divinely prescribed means for its atonement.
TRV