of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the plant; wheat(-en).
Transliteration:chiṭṭâh
Pronunciation:khit-taw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma חִטָּה (chiṭṭâh, `{{H2406}}`) denotes "wheat," encompassing both the cultivated plant and its harvested grain. Its etymological derivation is uncertain, yet its semantic range is consistently narrow and precise, referring specifically to this vital cereal crop. As a staple of ancient Near Eastern agriculture, chiṭṭâh was a primary source of sustenance, often processed into flour for bread. The term distinguishes wheat from other grains such as barley (śə‘ōrâ, `{{H8184}}`), reflecting the careful categorization of agricultural products in biblical times. Its meaning is concrete, referring to the physical crop and its produce, fundamental to the daily life and economy of the Israelite people.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term chiṭṭâh appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, illuminating its pervasive role in Israelite society. Its occurrences primarily highlight its importance as a food source, an agricultural commodity, and a marker of prosperity or judgment.
In agricultural contexts, chiṭṭâh is often mentioned alongside barley as a key crop. For instance, [[Deuteronomy 8:8]] describes the promised land as "a land of wheat and barley," emphasizing its fertility and divine provision. The harvest of chiṭṭâh was a significant annual event, as seen in [[Ruth 2:23]], where Ruth gleans until the end of the barley and wheat harvest. Threshing floors, where wheat was separated from chaff, are also contexts for its mention, such as in [[2 Samuel 4:6]] (though the text there is difficult, it points to a store of wheat).
Economically, chiṭṭâh served as a valuable commodity for trade and tribute. [[1 Kings 5:11]] records Solomon providing Hiram, King of Tyre, with "twenty thousand cors of wheat" for his household, demonstrating its use in international exchange. Similarly, [[Ezekiel 27:17]] lists "wheat of Minnith" among Tyre's trade goods, underscoring its commercial significance.
The presence or absence of chiṭṭâh often carries theological implications. Abundant wheat is a sign of divine blessing and covenant faithfulness, as depicted in [[Psalm 81:16]], where God promises to feed His people "with the finest of wheat." Conversely, the destruction or scarcity of chiṭṭâh crops signifies divine judgment or the consequences of disobedience, as lamented in [[Joel 1:11]], where the prophet mourns the withered wheat due to drought. In [[Exodus 9:32]], during the plague of hail, the wheat was not destroyed because it had not yet sprouted, indicating God's selective judgment and preservation. The prophet Isaiah also uses the sowing of wheat as an illustration of God's wisdom in ordering the seasons and agricultural practices ([[Isaiah 28:25]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of chiṭṭâh naturally connects to a broader semantic field of agriculture, food, and divine provision in the biblical text.
* **Other Grains:** While chiṭṭâh specifically means wheat, it is frequently paired with `{{H8184}}` (śə‘ōrâ, "barley"), highlighting the two primary cereal crops. Other grains like spelt (kussemet, `{{H3698}}`) are also mentioned, though less frequently.
* **Agricultural Processes:** Words related to the cultivation, harvest, and processing of grains are intrinsically linked. These include `{{H2232}}` (zera‘, "seed" or "sowing"), `{{H7105}}` (qāṣîr, "harvest"), `{{H1637}}` (gōren, "threshing floor"), and terms for winnowing and grinding.
* **Food and Sustenance:** Chiṭṭâh is the raw material for `{{H3899}}` (leḥem, "bread"), which represents basic sustenance. Its abundance signifies provision, while its lack points to famine.
* **Metaphorical Extensions:** While chiṭṭâh itself is concrete, the *process* of cultivating and processing wheat often yields rich metaphorical imagery. The separation of wheat from chaff (though the Hebrew word for chaff is `{{H4671}}`, mōṣ) serves as a potent metaphor for divine judgment and the separation of the righteous from the wicked, a concept particularly prominent in the New Testament (e.g., [[Matthew 3:12]], [[Matthew 13:24-30]]), but rooted in Old Testament agricultural realities.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of chiṭṭâh is multifaceted, primarily revolving around themes of divine provision, blessing, and judgment.
1. **Divine Provision and Faithfulness:** The consistent mention of chiṭṭâh as a staple food underscores God's faithfulness in providing for His people. The land's capacity to yield wheat is a direct result of His blessing and covenant keeping. It serves as a tangible reminder that God sustains life and provides for the physical needs of humanity ([[Deuteronomy 8:8]]).
2. **Blessing and Prosperity:** Abundant chiṭṭâh harvests are consistently presented as a sign of God's favor and a reward for obedience. In the covenant blessings, thriving fields of wheat symbolize prosperity, peace, and God's presence among His people ([[Leviticus 26:5]], [[Deuteronomy 28:8]]).
3. **Judgment and Scarcity:** Conversely, the withholding or destruction of chiṭṭâh crops, often through drought or pestilence, is portrayed as a consequence of sin and a form of divine judgment. This serves as a stark reminder of humanity's dependence on God's sustaining hand and the consequences of rebellion ([[Joel 1:11]], [[Amos 4:9]]).
4. **Symbol of Purity and Sustenance:** While not explicitly a theological term, the process of refining wheat—separating the grain from impurities—can implicitly point to themes of purity and the essential nature of God's provision. The "finest of wheat" (e.g., [[Psalm 81:16]]) represents the highest quality of blessing and sustenance God offers.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חִטָּה (chiṭṭâh, `{{H2406}}`) precisely designates "wheat," functioning as a fundamental term in the biblical lexicon for agriculture and sustenance. Its primary meaning as both the plant and its grain is consistently maintained across its numerous biblical occurrences. Contextual analysis reveals chiṭṭâh as a crucial element in Israelite daily life, economy, and trade, often appearing alongside barley as a primary food source and commodity. Theologically, chiṭṭâh serves as a powerful symbol of divine provision, blessing, and prosperity when abundant, and conversely, of judgment and scarcity when withheld. Its study illuminates not only the agricultural practices of ancient Israel but also the profound theological truth that God is the ultimate provider and sustainer of all life.
TRV