(Aramaic) from the same as חֲטִי; an expiation; sin offering.
Transliteration:chăṭṭâyâʼ
Pronunciation:khat-taw-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term חֲטָּיָא (chăṭṭâyâʼ, `{{H2409}}`) is derived from a root closely related to the Hebrew חָטָא (chata, `{{H2403}}`), which fundamentally means "to miss the mark" or "to sin." However, unlike its Hebrew cognate that can denote the act of sin itself, chăṭṭâyâʼ specifically refers to the *remedy* for sin, functioning primarily as "an expiation" or, more commonly, a "sin offering." This semantic range places it firmly within the cultic and sacrificial vocabulary of the biblical text, emphasizing the means by which defilement or guilt is removed or covered. It is not the transgression itself, but the divinely ordained provision to address it.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֲטָּיָא (chăṭṭâyâʼ, `{{H2409}}`) appears in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament. Its singular, yet highly significant, occurrence is found in the book of Ezra:
* **[[Ezra 6:17]]**: "And they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel."
* **Context**: This verse describes the dedication ceremony of the rebuilt Second Temple in Jerusalem, following the return of the exiles from Babylon. The offerings made reflect a meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the re-establishment of proper worship and covenant relationship with God.
* **Analysis**: The inclusion of "a sin offering" (חֲטָּיָא) for "all Israel" is particularly noteworthy. Even in a moment of joyous dedication and renewal, the people recognized the need for purification and atonement. This corporate offering underscored the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity of divine provision to cleanse the community and render their worship acceptable before God. The twelve male goats, corresponding to the twelve tribes, symbolize a comprehensive atonement for the entire nation, signifying their unity and collective need for expiation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Aramaic חֲטָּיָא (chăṭṭâyâʼ, `{{H2409}}`) is deeply intertwined with several key biblical concepts:
* **Hebrew Counterpart**: Its direct Hebrew parallel in the context of sacrifice is חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah, `{{H2401}}`), which likewise translates as "sin offering." Both terms denote the specific animal sacrifice prescribed in the Mosaic Law to atone for unintentional sins or to cleanse ritual impurity.
* **Atonement (כָּפַר - kaphar, `{{H3722}}`)**: The concept of a "sin offering" is central to the broader theme of atonement, which involves the covering or purging of sin to restore a right relationship with God. The offering served as a means of reconciliation.
* **Sacrificial System**: Chăṭṭâyâʼ is an integral part of the elaborate Levitical sacrificial system, which included various types of offerings (burnt offerings, peace offerings, guilt offerings, and sin offerings). Each had a distinct purpose in addressing different aspects of sin and maintaining covenant fidelity.
* **Purity and Holiness**: The sin offering was essential for maintaining ritual purity and holiness, which were prerequisites for Israel's continued fellowship with a holy God and for their access to His presence in the tabernacle/temple.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חֲטָּיָא (chăṭṭâyâʼ, `{{H2409}}`) is profound, despite its limited occurrence:
* **Divine Provision for Sin**: The very existence of a "sin offering" speaks volumes about God's character. It demonstrates His gracious provision for humanity's sin, establishing a means by which sinful people can be reconciled to a holy God. This underscores God's initiative in bridging the gap caused by sin.
* **Seriousness of Sin**: The necessity of such an offering, even for unintentional sins or during a moment of national celebration (as in [[Ezra 6:17]]), highlights the gravity of sin in God's eyes. Sin is not merely a moral misstep but a defiling force that separates humanity from God and requires divine intervention for its removal.
* **Corporate Responsibility and Atonement**: The offering "for all Israel" emphasizes the corporate dimension of sin and the need for national purification. It illustrates that sin affects the entire community, and collective acts of atonement are necessary to restore the nation's standing before God.
* **Anticipation of Christ**: From a New Testament perspective, the Old Testament sin offerings, including those designated by chăṭṭâyâʼ, serve as powerful types and shadows pointing to the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sin offering of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross is the supreme act of expiation (propitiation, `{{G2403}}`), fulfilling and superseding all previous animal sacrifices. He became "sin for us" ([[2 Corinthians 5:21]]), providing the true and lasting atonement that the animal offerings could only foreshadow.
### Summary
The Aramaic term חֲṭṭâyâʼ (chăṭṭâyâʼ, `{{H2409}}`) denotes an "expiation" or "sin offering," functioning as the cultic means to address sin. Its singular occurrence in [[Ezra 6:17]] describes a corporate sin offering for all Israel during the dedication of the Second Temple, underscoring the pervasive nature of sin and the need for divine provision for its removal even in moments of joyous worship. Theologically, chăṭṭâyâʼ illuminates God's gracious provision for sin, the seriousness with which He views transgression, and the corporate dimension of atonement. Ultimately, it prefigures the perfect and final sin offering of Jesus Christ, who through His sacrifice became the ultimate expiation for the sins of the world.
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