or חַטָּאת; from חָטָא; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender; punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).
Transliteration:chaṭṭâʼâh
Pronunciation:khat-taw-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, `{{H2403}}`), often appearing as חַטָּאת (chaṭṭâʼth), is derived from the verbal root חָטָא (chata', `{{H2398}}`), which fundamentally means "to miss the mark," "to err," or "to fail." As a noun, H2403 possesses a rich and multifaceted semantic range, reflecting the comprehensive nature of "sin" in ancient Israelite thought. It can denote:
* The *act* of sin itself, an offense or transgression against God's law or a moral standard.
* The *state* of sinfulness or habitual wrongdoing.
* The *consequence* or *penalty* resulting from sin.
* The *occasion* or *cause* that leads to sin.
* Most prominently in the Pentateuch, the *sacrifice* or *offering* made for sin, known as the "sin offering."
* The *expiation* or *purification* achieved through such offerings.
* In rare concrete instances, it can even refer to the *sinner* or *offender* themselves.
This breadth of meaning underscores that sin is not merely an isolated act but a complex reality encompassing human failure, divine judgment, and God's provision for reconciliation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H2403 is one of the most frequently occurring terms for sin in the Old Testament, appearing over 200 times across various genres. Its contextual usage reveals its diverse applications:
* **The Act/State of Sin:** Early in the biblical narrative, it describes the nature of sin as a powerful force, "crouching at the door" for Cain [[Genesis 4:7]]. It is used to describe specific transgressions, such as the people's sin in the wilderness [[Numbers 14:34]]. In poetic and prophetic literature, it often refers to a pervasive state of human depravity, as lamented by the Psalmist: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me" [[Psalm 51:5]].
* **The Sin Offering (חַטָּאת):** A significant number of occurrences, especially in Leviticus and Numbers, refer to the "sin offering." This sacrifice was a crucial component of the Mosaic covenant, prescribed for unintentional sins (e.g., [[Leviticus 4:2]]) or for ceremonial defilement. Detailed instructions are given for various individuals and groups, including the high priest [[Leviticus 4:3]], the whole congregation [[Leviticus 4:13]], a leader [[Leviticus 4:22]], or a common person [[Leviticus 4:27]]. The ritual involved the shedding of blood and specific procedures for handling the animal, symbolizing purification and atonement. The offering itself was considered "most holy" [[Leviticus 6:25]], indicating its sacred purpose in mediating between a holy God and sinful humanity.
* **Consequences and Purification:** While less common than for the offering, H2403 can imply the consequence or punishment of sin, though other terms like עָוֹן (avon, `{{H5771}}`) more often carry this nuance. Crucially, the sin offering was not just about punishment but about making "atonement" (כָּפַר, kaphar, `{{H3722}}`) to "cleanse" from sin [[Leviticus 16:30]]. Thus, H2403 is intrinsically linked to the concept of expiation and the removal of defilement.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root Verb חָטָא (chata', `{{H2398}}`):** As the verbal root, chata' signifies the action of "missing the mark" or "sinning." H2403 is the nominalized form, representing the result or manifestation of this action.
* **פֶּשַׁע (pesha', `{{H6588}}`):** Often translated as "transgression" or "rebellion." This term tends to emphasize a deliberate breach of trust or covenant, a defiant act against authority.
* **עָוֹן (avon, `{{H5771}}`):** Typically rendered "iniquity" or "guilt." This word focuses on the perversity or crookedness of the sin itself and often carries the connotation of the guilt or punishment associated with the transgression.
* These three terms (chaṭṭâʼâh, pesha', avon) frequently appear together in biblical texts (e.g., [[Psalm 32:1]], [[Isaiah 53:5]]) to provide a comprehensive understanding of human sinfulness, each highlighting a different facet of moral failing. While distinct, H2403 (chaṭṭâʼâh) often serves as the broadest and most encompassing term for sin in general, covering both intentional and unintentional errors, as well as the prescribed means of dealing with them.
* **כָּפַר (kaphar, `{{H3722}}`):** Meaning "to atone," "to cover," or "to make propitiation." This verb is inextricably linked to H2403, particularly in the context of the sin offering, as the offering was the means by which kaphar was achieved for chaṭṭâʼâh.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2403 is profound and multifaceted:
* **God's Holiness and Human Sinfulness:** The pervasive use of H2403 underscores the absolute holiness of Yahweh and the stark reality of humanity's inability to consistently meet His righteous standards. Sin is not merely a mistake; it is a fundamental breach of relationship with a holy God. The Old Testament consistently portrays sin as a universal human problem, affecting individuals and communities alike.
* **God's Gracious Provision for Atonement:** Crucially, the prominence of the "sin offering" (חַטָּאת) within the Mosaic cultic system highlights God's merciful provision for dealing with human sin. Even though sin incurs defilement and guilt, God Himself established a means by which atonement, purification, and reconciliation could be achieved. This demonstrates His desire for fellowship with His people despite their failings. The rituals associated with H2403 were pedagogical, teaching Israel about the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine intervention for cleansing.
* **Anticipation of Christ:** The Old Testament sin offerings, while effective for their time, were temporary and had to be continually repeated. They served as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The New Testament explicitly presents Christ as the perfect "sin offering" (e.g., [[2 Corinthians 5:21]], "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him"). His death on the cross definitively dealt with the act, state, and penalty of sin, providing a complete and eternal expiation that the Old Testament offerings could only anticipate.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, `{{H2403}}`) is a cornerstone term in the Old Testament, representing "sin" in its broadest sense. Rooted in חָטָא (chata', `{{H2398}}`), "to miss the mark," its semantic range encompasses the sinful act, the state of sinfulness, its consequences, and most significantly, the divinely instituted "sin offering" for expiation and purification. Its frequent appearance throughout the biblical text emphasizes the pervasive nature of human failure in the face of God's perfect holiness. The theological weight of H2403 lies not only in its depiction of human culpability but, more profoundly, in revealing God's gracious provision for atonement through the sacrificial system. These Old Testament rituals, centered around chaṭṭâʼâh, ultimately pointed forward to the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate "sin offering" to reconcile humanity to God, demonstrating both the gravity of sin and the immeasurable depth of divine love.
TRV