from חָצֵר and a feminine of גַּד; (the) village of (female) Fortune; Chatsar-Gaddah, a place in Palestine; Hazar-gaddah.
Transliteration:Chătsar Gaddâh
Pronunciation:khats-ar' gad-daw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma חֲצַר גַּדָּה (Chătsar Gaddâh), Strong's number `{{H2693}}`, is a compound place name. It is derived from two principal components: חָצֵר (chatsêr, `{{H2691}}`) and גַּד (gad, `{{H1409}}`), specifically a feminine form of the latter. The term חָצֵר typically denotes an "enclosure," "court," "settlement," or "village." Its range can extend from a simple encampment to a more established village, often characterized by a walled or fenced area. The second component, גַּד, refers to "fortune" or "good luck." This term is sometimes personified as a deity, as seen in the "god of Fortune" mentioned in other biblical texts. The feminine ending on גַּדָּה (Gaddâh) might suggest a specific goddess of fortune or a general concept of fortune associated with the place in a more abstract, perhaps even idolatrous, sense. Therefore, the combined meaning of Chătsar Gaddâh is "Village of Fortune" or "Court of Fortune," suggesting a locale whose identity was historically tied to the pagan concept of luck or fate rather than divine providence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Hazar-gaddah (חֲצַר גַּדָּה, `{{H2693}}`) appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in the book of Joshua.
* [[Joshua 15:27]]: "Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet," where it is listed as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah. This verse enumerates the towns situated in the Negeb, the southern desert region of Judah's inheritance. The context is a detailed geographical description of the tribal boundaries and cities, underscoring the precise fulfillment of God's promise regarding the land. Its inclusion in this list, despite its pagan-sounding name, signifies its integration into the divinely ordained territory of Israel. The presence of such a name within the sacred geography of Israel's inheritance highlights the pervasive nature of pagan influences in the land prior to and during the Israelite occupation, and implicitly, Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty over all such territories.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of Hazar-gaddah are crucial for understanding its significance.
* חָצֵר (chatsêr, `{{H2691}}`): This common Hebrew noun appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, referring to various types of settlements, from nomadic encampments to more permanent villages or even court areas within larger cities. Its usage here grounds Hazar-gaddah as a specific type of inhabited place.
* גַּד (gad, `{{H1409}}`): This root is particularly significant. While here it is part of a place name, the concept of "Gad" as "Fortune" appears elsewhere, notably in [[Isaiah 65:11]], where the prophet condemns those who "prepare a table for Gad [Fortune] and fill cups of mixed wine for Meni [Destiny]." This direct reference to "Gad" as a pagan deity underscores the potential idolatrous connotations of the name Hazar-gaddah.
Related concepts include:
* **Idolatry and Paganism:** The name itself points to a pre-Israelite or syncretistic worship of "Fortune," a practice vehemently condemned in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [[Exodus 20:3-5]]).
* **Divine Providence:** The biblical narrative consistently contrasts human reliance on "luck" or "fortune" with the absolute sovereignty and meticulous providence of Yahweh (e.g., [[Proverbs 16:33]], [[Psalm 37:23]]).
* **Tribal Inheritance:** The meticulous listing of cities like Hazar-gaddah in Joshua emphasizes that the land was a divine gift, apportioned by God's decree, not by chance or human endeavor.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Hazar-gaddah, "Village of Fortune," is profound, despite its single occurrence. Firstly, its very name serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual landscape of Canaan, a land permeated by pagan beliefs and practices. The presence of a town named after a pagan deity or concept of fortune within the divinely allotted land of Judah highlights the constant spiritual battle Israel faced against idolatry.
Secondly, the inclusion of Hazar-gaddah in Judah's inheritance demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty. Even a place named in homage to a false god was brought under the dominion of Yahweh's covenant people. This act of divine allocation effectively "reclaims" the territory from its pagan associations, asserting that all land belongs to the Lord, regardless of its former inhabitants' beliefs. The boundaries of Israel were determined by divine will, not by the caprice of "fortune."
Finally, Hazar-gaddah stands as a silent witness to the fundamental theological contrast between pagan fatalism or reliance on luck, and the biblical doctrine of God's active, personal providence. Israel's security, prosperity, and very existence in the land were not matters of chance or good fortune, but the direct result of Yahweh's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The naming of this village, therefore, serves as a subtle yet powerful theological statement about the supremacy of Yahweh over all competing claims of divine or naturalistic forces.
### Summary
Hazar-gaddah (`{{H2693}}`, חֲצַר גַּדָּה), meaning "Village of Fortune," is a place name formed from חָצֵר (`{{H2691}}`, "village") and גַּד (`{{H1409}}`, "fortune"). It appears once in the Bible, in [[Joshua 15:27]], as a town within the tribal inheritance of Judah in the Negeb. The name's etymology points to a pre-Israelite or pagan association with the concept of "fortune" or a deity of luck, providing a glimpse into the pervasive idolatry of the ancient Near East. Theologically, its inclusion in the divinely apportioned land of Israel underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over all territories, even those bearing pagan names. It serves as a subtle yet potent reminder of the contrast between human reliance on chance and God's meticulous, faithful providence, emphasizing that Israel's blessings were a result of divine covenant, not pagan fortune.
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