from חָצֵר and תִּיכוֹן with the article interposed; village of the middle; Chatsar-hat-Tikon, a place in Palestine; Hazar-hatticon.
Transliteration:Chătsar hat-Tîykôwn
Pronunciation:khats-ar' hat-tee-kone'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן (Chătsar hat-Tîykôwn, `{{H2694}}`) is a compound proper noun, functioning exclusively as a geographical place name. It is derived from two distinct Hebrew words: חָצֵר (chatsér, `{{H2691}}`), meaning "enclosure," "court," or by extension, "village" or "settlement," and תִּיכוֹן (tîykôwn, `{{H8483}}`), which denotes "middle," "midst," or "innermost part." The definite article "הַ" (ha-) is interposed between the two components, creating "the middle." Therefore, the literal and primary meaning of חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן is "village of the middle" or "middle village." This etymology suggests a location that is centrally situated or serves as a midpoint within a larger geographical context. As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to identifying a specific location.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן (Hazar-hatticon) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Ezekiel.
* [[Ezekiel 47:16]]: "And the border shall be from Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar-hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran."
In this passage, Hazar-hatticon is enumerated as a crucial landmark in the detailed description of the northern boundary of the future, restored land of Israel, as revealed in Ezekiel's prophetic vision. The context is highly specific, delineating the precise territorial limits of the land to be inherited by the twelve tribes. Its placement "by the coast of Hauran" further anchors its location within a recognizable region, emphasizing the concrete nature of the prophetic land division. The inclusion of such a specific, seemingly obscure place name underscores the meticulous detail of God's plans for His people and their inheritance. It functions not merely as a descriptive term but as a fixed point on a divinely ordained map.
### Related Words & Concepts
The components of חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן are significant in their own right:
* חָצֵר (chatsér, `{{H2691}}`): This word is frequently used in the Old Testament, often in place names (e.g., Hazar-addar, Hazar-shual). It typically refers to an unfortified settlement, a village, or an enclosed court. Its presence in חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן signifies a human habitation or settlement.
* תִּיכוֹן (tîykôwn, `{{H8483}}`): Meaning "middle" or "midst," this word is used to describe central positions, whether geographical (e.g., the middle of the sea) or architectural (e.g., the middle chamber of the temple). Its application here defines the *positional* aspect of the village, indicating its central or intermediate location along the boundary.
The concept of precise geographical delineation is paramount in biblical texts, particularly in relation to the promised land. Descriptions of tribal inheritances (e.g., Numbers 34, Joshua 15-19) and prophetic visions of future land divisions (Ezekiel 47-48) frequently employ a litany of place names to establish boundaries. חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן fits squarely within this category, serving as a specific marker in the divine blueprint for Israel's future territory.
### Theological Significance
The singular mention of חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן in Ezekiel's vision carries profound theological weight. As a specific geographical marker within the divinely revealed boundaries of the future land of Israel, it speaks to God's faithfulness and the concrete reality of His covenant promises concerning the land. The meticulous detail in [[Ezekiel 47:16]], down to individual place names like Hazar-hatticon, underscores the precision and intentionality of God's plan. It signifies that the restoration of Israel's territory is not merely symbolic but a tangible, geographically defined reality.
The name "village of the middle" might subtly imply its pivotal or strategic position along the northern frontier, reinforcing the idea of a complete and divinely ordered territory. It emphasizes that every aspect of the restored land, even its precise limits, is determined by God's sovereign hand. This specificity grounds the prophetic vision in a concrete, albeit future, reality, assuring the reader of the literal fulfillment of God's promises. It is a testament to the divine ordering of creation and the meticulous care with which God oversees the destiny of His chosen people.
### Summary
חֲצַצַר הַתִּיכוֹן (Chătsar hat-Tîykôwn, `{{H2694}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "village of the middle," derived from חָצֵר (village, `{{H2691}}`) and תִּיכוֹן (middle, `{{H8483}}`). Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Ezekiel 47:16]], where it functions as a precise geographical landmark defining a point on the northern boundary of the land of Israel in Ezekiel's prophetic vision of restoration. The term underscores the meticulous detail and concrete nature of God's covenant promises regarding the land. Theologically, חֲצַר הַתִּיכוֹן serves as a testament to the divine faithfulness and the sovereign ordering of the future inheritance of Israel, emphasizing that even the most specific geographical details are under God's providential care.
TRV