### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Chăṭîyphâʼ**, represented by `{{H2412}}`, is used as the proper name **Hatipha**. Based on a root word meaning "robber," this name identifies one of the Nethinim, or temple servants. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, both within genealogical records.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H2412}}` appears exclusively in the post-exilic lists of Ezra and Nehemiah. These passages document the families that returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon. In both instances, the name is found in the identical phrase, "The children of Neziah, the children of **Hatipha**" ([[Ezra 2:54]]; [[Nehemiah 7:56]]). This context establishes **Hatipha** as the patriarch or founder of a specific family of temple servants who were part of the restored community of Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
Two related words provide essential context for the identity of Hatipha's descendants:
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (son): This word, defined as "a son (as a builder of the family name)," is used to form the phrase "the children of **Hatipha**" ([[Ezra 2:54]]; [[Nehemiah 7:56]]). Its use here is crucial for establishing the lineage and familial identity of this group within the larger census.
* `{{H5335}}` **nᵉtsîyach** (Neziah): As a proper name for a "Temple-servant," Neziah is listed immediately preceding Hatipha. The parallel structure "The children of **Neziah**, the children of **Hatipha**" ([[Ezra 2:54]]; [[Nehemiah 7:56]]) strongly associates the two families and solidifies their shared status as Nethinim.
### Theological Significance
While a proper name in a list, the context of `{{H2412}}` carries significance for understanding the restoration of Israel.
* **Genealogical Importance:** The specific mention of "the children of **Hatipha**" [[Ezra 2:54]] underscores the value placed on lineage and family identity in the reconstitution of the nation after exile. Every family, including the temple servants, was carefully accounted for.
* **Restoration of Worship:** As the head of a family of Nethinim (temple servants), Hatipha's inclusion in the record signifies the re-establishment of the personnel and functions necessary for temple worship in Jerusalem.
* **Community Structure:** The listing of Hatipha's descendants alongside those of Neziah ([[Ezra 2:54]]; [[Nehemiah 7:56]]) demonstrates the organized and official nature of the returning community, where specific roles and families were integral to the life of the nation.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2412}}` is not a common noun but the proper name **Hatipha**. It appears only in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah, identifying the patriarch of a family of temple servants who returned from Babylonian exile. Its significance lies not in its base definition but in its inclusion in these lists, which highlights the importance of family lineage and the structured restoration of temple service in the post-exilic community.
TRV