(Aramaic) corresponding to חֲטָאָה; an offence, and the penalty or sacrifice forit; sin (offering).
Transliteration:chaṭṭâʼâh
Pronunciation:khat-taw-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term `{{H2402}}` (chaṭṭâʼâh) serves as a direct linguistic and semantic parallel to the more common Hebrew `{{H2403}}` (חֲטָאָה). Its core meaning encompasses a dual semantic range:
1. **The Offense Itself:** It denotes a transgression, an error, a missing of the mark, or an act of sin against God's law or a moral standard. This aligns with the root חטא (chaṭa', `{{H2398}}`), which primarily means "to miss," "to err," or "to sin."
2. **The Atoning Sacrifice/Penalty:** Crucially, `{{H2402}}` also refers to the means by which sin is addressed or atoned for, specifically a "sin offering" or "guilt offering." In this sense, it signifies the expiatory sacrifice required to cleanse or reconcile the offender. This duality highlights the biblical understanding that sin is not merely an abstract concept but a concrete offense demanding a specific resolution.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, `{{H2402}}` appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Daniel and Ezra. Its limited occurrences nonetheless illustrate its full semantic range:
* **Daniel 4:27:** "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."
* Here, `{{H2402}}` clearly refers to the *act* of sin or wrongdoing committed by King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel's exhortation is for the king to cease his transgressions (חַטָּאָה) and avert divine judgment through repentance and righteous deeds. The context emphasizes the personal responsibility for one's actions and the possibility of divine mercy through a change of heart and behavior.
* **Ezra 10:19:** "They gave their hand that they would put away their wives, and being guilty, they offered a ram from the flock as a guilt offering for their trespass."
* In this instance, `{{H2402}}` refers to the *sacrifice* offered as an atonement for the sin of intermarriage with foreign women. The phrase "guilt offering for their trespass" (literally, "for their `{{H2402}}`") explicitly points to the ram as the designated offering to deal with the transgression. This usage directly parallels the Hebrew חֲטָאָה as a "sin offering" in the Levitical sacrificial system, underscoring the continuity of sacrificial concepts between the Hebrew and Aramaic portions of Scripture.
These two occurrences perfectly encapsulate the dual nature of `{{H2402}}`: the sin itself and the means of its expiation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H2403}}` (חֲטָאָה), which carries the identical dual meaning of "sin" and "sin offering" and is far more prevalent throughout the Hebrew Bible. Both terms derive from the common Semitic root חטא (`{{H2398}}`), meaning "to miss the mark," "to err," or "to go astray."
Other related concepts include:
* **Transgression (פֶּשַׁע - `{{H6588}}`):** Often denoting a rebellious act against a covenant.
* **Iniquity (עָוֹן - `{{H5771}}`):** Emphasizing the perversity or deviation from the right path, and often implying the guilt or punishment associated with sin.
* **Righteousness (צְדָקָה - `{{H6666}}`):** The antithesis of sin, representing conformity to God's standards.
* **Atonement (כָּפַר - `{{H3722}}`):** The covering or reconciliation process, often achieved through sacrifice, which `{{H2402}}` (in its "sin offering" sense) directly facilitates.
The Aramaic usage of `{{H2402}}` thus participates in the broader biblical lexicon concerning humanity's fallen state and God's provision for reconciliation.
### Theological Significance
The dual meaning of `{{H2402}}` is profoundly theologically significant, mirroring the core message of sin and atonement found throughout Scripture.
Firstly, by denoting "sin" as an "offense," it underscores the absolute holiness of God and the gravity of human transgression against His divine standard. Sin is not merely a mistake but a breach of relationship and a defilement that separates humanity from a righteous God. The call in [[Daniel 4:27]] for Nebuchadnezzar to "break off his sins" highlights the personal responsibility and moral agency of humanity in confronting their wrongdoing.
Secondly, the usage of `{{H2402}}` to signify a "sin offering" reveals God's gracious provision for dealing with sin. Despite humanity's offense, God establishes a means for expiation and reconciliation. The ram offered in [[Ezra 10:19]] serves as a tangible representation of the divine principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" ([[Hebrews 9:22]]). This concept prefigures the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the final "sin offering" ([[2 Corinthians 5:21]]) for humanity, bearing the penalty for sin and providing complete atonement. Thus, `{{H2402}}`, though an Aramaic term, contributes to the overarching biblical narrative of sin's devastating impact and God's merciful, redemptive solution.
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H2402}}` (chaṭṭâʼâh) is a concise yet powerful term that encapsulates a fundamental biblical truth: the nature of sin and the divine provision for its expiation. Functioning as both "sin/offense" and "sin offering/atonement," it illustrates that sin is a serious transgression against God, yet God, in His mercy, has provided a means for reconciliation. Its limited occurrences in Daniel and Ezra, though few, perfectly demonstrate this dual semantic range, aligning seamlessly with the broader Hebrew theological framework of sin, repentance, and sacrificial atonement. The study of `{{H2402}}` reinforces the consistent biblical message of humanity's need for redemption and God's faithful provision for it.
TRV