### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term chinṭâʼ (חִנְטָא, `{{H2591}}`) carries the precise and singular meaning of "wheat." It is explicitly defined as corresponding to the more frequently occurring Hebrew word `{{H2406}}` (חִטָּה - chiṭṭâ), which also denotes "wheat." This direct correspondence indicates a clear semantic equivalence between the Aramaic and Hebrew languages for this fundamental agricultural product. The term refers to the grain itself, the plant that produces it, or the harvested crop. There is no significant semantic range or metaphorical extension typically associated with this specific Aramaic word beyond its literal botanical and economic sense.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, chinṭâʼ (חִנְטָא) is found exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the Book of Ezra within the Old Testament. Its two occurrences are:
* **[[Ezra 6:9]]**: In this verse, King Darius issues a decree specifying the provisions to be supplied for the temple worship in Jerusalem. He commands that "whatever they need – young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and **wheat**, salt, wine, and oil – let it be given to them daily without fail." Here, chinṭâʼ is listed as an essential commodity, part of the regular provisions for the priests and the sacrifices, underscoring its importance as a staple food and an offering component.
* **[[Ezra 7:22]]**: King Artaxerxes, in his letter to Ezra, also specifies generous provisions for the temple. He decrees "up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred cors of **wheat**, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of olive oil, and salt without limit." In this context, chinṭâʼ is again enumerated as a significant quantity of provisions, highlighting its value as a resource for the temple's operations and for the sustenance of its personnel.
In both instances, the word appears in an administrative and provisioning context, emphasizing its role as a vital economic commodity and a necessary supply for the functioning of the restored temple and its religious services in post-exilic Judah.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and direct related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H2406}}` (חִטָּה - chiṭṭâ), which is the standard term for "wheat" throughout the Hebrew Bible. Other related terms encompass broader categories of grain or specific types:
* `{{H1715}}` (דָּגָן - dāgān): A general term for "grain" or "corn," often used to refer to various cereal crops collectively.
* `{{H8184}}` (שְׂעֹרָה - sĕʿōrâ): "Barley," another primary staple grain in ancient Israel, often mentioned alongside or in contrast to wheat.
* `{{H3899}}` (לֶחֶם - leḥem): "Bread" or "food" in general, which was predominantly made from wheat or barley flour.
Conceptually, chinṭâʼ is intrinsically linked to:
* **Agriculture and Harvest:** It represents the fruit of the land and the labor of cultivation.
* **Sustenance and Provision:** As a core foodstuff, it signifies the basic necessities of life.
* **Offerings and Tithes:** Grains, including wheat, were fundamental components of various offerings and temple contributions in the Israelite sacrificial system.
* **Economic Value:** Wheat served as a significant commodity in ancient economies, often used for trade and as a measure of wealth.
### Theological Significance
While chinṭâʼ (חִנְטָא) is a straightforward term for a common agricultural product, its theological significance emerges from its specific biblical contexts and the broader biblical understanding of grain.
* **Divine Provision through Earthly Rulers:** The fact that chinṭâʼ is included in the decrees of Persian kings (Darius and Artaxerxes) for the support of the temple in Jerusalem underscores God's sovereign hand at work, even through gentile monarchs. It illustrates how God orchestrates events and uses various means to provide for His people and ensure the continuation of His worship ([[Ezra 6:9]], [[Ezra 7:22]]).
* **Stewardship and Support of Worship:** The explicit listing of wheat among the provisions for the temple highlights the importance of material support for sacred institutions and those who serve within them. It reflects a commitment to the proper maintenance of worship and the well-being of the priesthood, an act of obedience and faithfulness.
* **Symbol of Blessing and Abundance:** In the wider biblical narrative, abundant harvests of wheat are frequently depicted as a sign of God's blessing, covenant faithfulness, and prosperity ([[Psalm 81:16]], [[Deuteronomy 8:8]]). Its inclusion in the post-exilic provisions for the temple can be seen as a tangible sign of God's renewed favor and restoration for the returning exiles.
* **Foundation of Life:** As a primary ingredient for bread, wheat represents the fundamental necessities of life. This implicitly points to God as the ultimate provider of all sustenance, sustaining His people both physically and spiritually.
### Summary
The Aramaic term chinṭâʼ (חִנְטָא, `{{H2591}}`) denotes "wheat" and is semantically equivalent to the Hebrew `{{H2406}}`. Its limited occurrences are found exclusively in the Book of Ezra ([[Ezra 6:9]], [[Ezra 7:22]]), where it consistently appears in administrative contexts related to the royal provisions for the Jerusalem temple. As a vital commodity, chinṭâʼ underscores the practical aspects of sustaining the temple and its personnel in the post-exilic period. Theologically, its presence in these decrees illuminates themes of God's sovereign provision, even through foreign rulers, the importance of material support for divine worship, and the broader biblical understanding of wheat as a symbol of blessing, abundance, and the essential sustenance provided by God for His people.
TRV