a primitive root (compare חָצָהlemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה); also as denominative from חֵץ; properly, to chop into, pierce or sever; hence, to curtail, to distribute (into ranks); to shoot an arrow; archer, [idiom] bands, cut off in the midst.
Transliteration:châtsats
Pronunciation:khaw-tsats'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb חָצַץ (châtsats, `{{H2686}}`) is a primitive root, bearing a core semantic range centered on the concepts of division, penetration, and forceful severance. Its etymological connections illuminate its multifaceted meaning. The root is compared to חָצָה (châtsah, `{{H2673}}`), meaning "to divide" or "to halve," suggesting an inherent sense of separation. Furthermore, חָצַץ functions as a denominative verb derived from חֵץ (chêts, `{{H2671}}`), meaning "arrow."
From these foundational connections, the word's primary definitions emerge:
* **To chop into, pierce, or sever:** This denotes a forceful act of cutting or penetrating, often with a sharp object.
* **To curtail:** A logical extension of "severing," implying the act of cutting short or reducing.
* **To distribute (into ranks):** This speaks to the act of dividing or arranging into ordered groups, implying a structured separation.
* **To shoot an arrow:** Directly linked to its denominative origin from "arrow," this is a prominent usage.
* **Archer:** The active participle refers to one who performs the action of shooting arrows.
* **"[idiom] bands":** Refers to groups or divisions, aligning with the sense of distribution.
* **"Cut off in the midst":** Implies a sudden, decisive termination or interruption.
Collectively, חָצַץ conveys a sense of decisive action that results in division, penetration, or termination, whether by physical force, strategic arrangement, or military engagement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While not exceedingly frequent, חָצַץ (châtsats, `{{H2686}}`) appears in various contexts, primarily in poetic and narrative texts, underscoring its diverse applications:
* **Military Action and Judgment (Shooting Arrows/Archers):** This is the most common application.
* In [[Numbers 21:30]], the verb describes the act of "shooting" arrows, likely in a context of military conquest and destruction: "We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished from Dibon..." This highlights the destructive power associated with the action.
* [[Judges 5:11]] speaks of "the noise of archers" (מִקּוֹל מְחַצְצִים), referring to those who shoot arrows, emphasizing the threat and sound of battle.
* Similarly, in [[Job 16:13]], Job laments, "His archers (רַבָּיו) compass me round about," portraying God's oppressive actions against him as a barrage of arrows, symbolizing divine judgment or affliction.
* [[Lamentations 3:12]] uses vivid archery imagery — “He has set me as a mark for the arrow” (לְמַטָּרָה לַחֵץ) — depicting vulnerability and exposure to a targeted attack. While the root חָצַץ is not used here, the scene aligns thematically with its sense of piercing and forceful division, likely symbolizing God’s discipline or judgment.
* **Order and Division (Distributing into Ranks/Bands):**
* [[Proverbs 30:27]] describes locusts, noting, "The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands (חָצַץ)." Here, the word signifies their natural, orderly division into groups or swarms, even without a leader, illustrating an intrinsic, disciplined arrangement.
* **Severance and Termination (Cutting Off):**
* While less explicit than "shooting," the underlying meaning of "cutting off" or "severing" can be inferred. The phrase "cut off in the midst" from the base definition could resonate with contexts of sudden termination. For example, in [[Lamentations 3:30]], "He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach." While some translations vary, the idea of being "cut off" or "broken" by reproach aligns with the root's capacity for forceful severance.
Across these occurrences, חָצַץ consistently conveys a sense of decisive, often forceful, action that results in division, penetration, or arrangement.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of חָצַץ (châtsats, `{{H2686}}`) is enriched by its relationship with several other Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **חָצָה (châtsah, `{{H2673}}`):** This related root means "to divide, halve, or apportion." The connection underscores the fundamental idea of separation and distribution inherent in חָצַץ. While חָצָה often implies a more neutral act of division, חָצַץ adds the nuance of forceful or purposeful cutting.
* **חֵץ (chêts, `{{H2671}}`):** As the noun for "arrow," this word is the direct source for the denominative usage of חָצַץ. The arrow itself is an instrument of piercing and directed force, directly reflecting the verb's action.
* **קָצַץ (qâtsats, {{H7112}}):** Meaning "to cut off, cut down, or prune," this verb conveys the idea of physically severing or reducing something. It shares some semantic overlap with חָצַץ, particularly in the sense of dividing or separating, but קָצַץ specifically emphasizes cutting or removing a part to bring it to an end.
* **בָּקַע (bâqa', `{{H1234}}`):** This verb means "to cleave, break open, or split," often implying a powerful, violent division. While חָצַץ can imply piercing, בָּקַע suggests a broader, more dramatic rupture.
* **Concepts:**
* **Judgment and Warfare:** The frequent association with arrows places חָצַץ firmly within the lexicon of divine judgment and human conflict, where arrows symbolize swift, precise, and often destructive action.
* **Precision and Intentionality:** An arrow is a directed weapon, implying a deliberate aim and purpose behind the act of piercing or dividing.
* **Order and Discipline:** The usage describing locusts in "bands" highlights a surprising aspect of the word, denoting structured arrangement and inherent order, even in seemingly chaotic natural phenomena.
* **Vulnerability:** To be a "mark for the arrow" is to be exposed and susceptible to harm.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָצַץ (châtsats, `{{H2686}}`) primarily emerges from its association with arrows and the acts of piercing, dividing, and cutting off:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** When God is depicted as sending "archers" or "arrows" (as in Job and Lamentations), it underscores His absolute sovereignty and His capacity to bring about precise and decisive judgment or discipline. God's arrows are not random but targeted instruments of His will, whether to punish the wicked or refine the righteous. This imagery evokes a sense of inescapable divine action.
* **Consequences of Sin and Rebellion:** In contexts of warfare and destruction, the "shooting" of arrows by human agents often represents the devastating consequences of conflict, which in biblical theology can be linked to human sin and rebellion against divine order.
* **Vulnerability of Humanity:** The image of being a "mark for the arrow" (Lamentations 3:12) powerfully conveys human fragility and vulnerability before the forces of adversity, whether from God's hand or from human enemies. It speaks to the experience of suffering and feeling targeted.
* **Underlying Order in Creation:** The description of locusts moving in "bands" (Proverbs 30:27) provides a subtle yet profound theological insight. It suggests that even in seemingly insignificant or chaotic aspects of creation, there is an underlying divine order and wisdom. God has imbued His creation with intrinsic patterns and structures, even among creatures that lack human leadership.
* **The Sharpness of God's Word:** While not directly using חָצַץ, the concept of piercing and cutting can be metaphorically extended to the power and penetrative nature of God's Word, which is described as sharper than any two-edged sword, "piercing even to the division of soul and spirit" ([[Hebrews 4:12]]). This highlights the Word's ability to divide truth from falsehood and expose the inner recesses of the heart.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb חָצַץ (châtsats, `{{H2686}}`) is a potent term rooted in the concepts of forceful division, penetration, and severance. Derived from the idea of "halving" (חָצָה, `{{H2673}}`) and directly linked to the "arrow" (חֵץ, `{{H2671}}`), its semantic range encompasses physical acts of chopping and piercing, the military action of shooting arrows, and the organized distribution into ranks or "bands."
Biblical occurrences primarily illustrate its use in contexts of warfare and divine judgment, where "archers" and "arrows" symbolize precise and destructive power, as seen in [[Numbers 21:30]] and [[Job 16:13]]. It also uniquely describes the inherent order of nature, as locusts move "by bands" in [[Proverbs 30:27]], revealing a structured arrangement. The word can also convey a sense of being "cut off" or made vulnerable, as in [[Lamentations 3:12]].
Theologically, חָצַץ underscores God's sovereign power to execute precise judgment or discipline, emphasizing the intentionality behind His actions. It also subtly points to the underlying order God has woven into creation. While often associated with destructive force, the word ultimately speaks to a decisive, purposeful act of division or arrangement within God's overarching plan.
TRV