from חָצֵר and סוּסָה; village of cavalry; Chatsar-Susah, a place in Palestine; Hazar-susah.
Transliteration:Chătsar Çûwçâh
Pronunciation:khats-ar'soo-saw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חֲצַר סוּסָה (Chătsar Çûwçâh), Strong's number `{{H2701}}`, is a compound proper noun, specifically a place name. It is derived from two distinct Hebrew words: חָצֵר (chatser) `{{H2691}}` and סוּסָה (susah) `{{H5483}}`. The first component, חָצֵר, typically denotes an "enclosure," "courtyard," or "settlement," often referring to an unfortified village or an outer court of a larger dwelling. The second component, סוּסָה, is the feminine form of סוּס (sus) `{{H5482}}`, meaning "horse" or "mare." Therefore, the literal and primary meaning of חֲצַר סוּסָה is "village of cavalry" or "enclosure of horses/mares." This suggests a settlement known for its horses, perhaps a place where horses were bred, kept, or used for military purposes. As a proper noun, its semantic range is fixed to this specific geographical location within ancient Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
חֲצַר סוּסָה appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the context of the tribal allotments of the Promised Land.
1. **[[Joshua 19:5]]**: "And their inheritance was Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-Shual, Balah, Ezem, Eldolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-Marcaboth, Hazar-Susah, Beth-Lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages." Here, חֲצַר סוּסָה is listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Simeon. This passage meticulously details the geographical boundaries and specific towns assigned to each tribe, highlighting the fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the land. The inclusion of חֲצַר סוּסָה in this list underscores its existence as an established settlement at the time of the conquest and division of the land.
2. **[[1 Chronicles 4:31]]**: "And Beth-Marcaboth, Hazar-Susim, Beth-Biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until the reign of David." In this passage, which recounts the lineage and settlements of the tribe of Simeon, חֲצַר סוּסָה appears as "Hazar-Susim." The slight variation in the suffix ("-susim" being plural masculine, vs. "-susah" being feminine singular) is likely a scribal variation or a reflection of different traditions in transliterating or vocalizing the name, but it undoubtedly refers to the same location. The context here, again, is the enumeration of Simeon's cities, emphasizing the historical continuity and the divine order in the tribal settlements. The phrase "until the reign of David" might suggest a period of occupation or significance for these cities within Simeon's history.
In both instances, חֲצַר סוּסָה is presented as a specific, identifiable location within the territory of the tribe of Simeon, situated in the Negev region of southern Judah. Its listing alongside other known settlements provides geographical anchors for understanding the ancient Israelite landscape.
### Related Words & Concepts
The components of חֲצַר סוּסָה connect it to broader biblical themes:
* **חָצֵר (chatser) `{{H2691}}`**: This word is frequently used in the Bible, not only for "village" but also for "courtyard" (e.g., of the tabernacle or temple) or "enclosure." Its use in place names like Hazar-Gaddah, Hazar-Shual, and Hazar-Enan suggests a common pattern for naming settlements based on a prominent feature or activity associated with them. In the case of חֲצַר סוּסָה, the "enclosure" aspect might imply a fenced or designated area for animals.
* **סוּסָה (susah) `{{H5483}}` / סוּס (sus) `{{H5482}}`**: The "horse" component is significant. Horses played a crucial role in ancient Near Eastern societies, primarily for warfare and transport. While Israel was often cautioned against relying on horses and chariots (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 17:16]], [[Psalm 20:7]]), their presence in the land, whether native or acquired, was a reality. A place named "village of cavalry" could indicate a strategic military outpost, a horse-breeding center, or simply a location known for its equine population. This highlights a practical aspect of life in the land, where resources like horses were managed.
* **Tribal Allotments**: The context of חֲצַר סוּסָה within the lists of tribal inheritances (Joshua 19, 1 Chronicles 4) links it to the foundational theme of the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (e.g., [[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18]]). These detailed lists underscore the meticulousness of God's provision and the orderly establishment of Israel as a nation in their own territory.
### Theological Significance
As a geographical place name, חֲצַר סוּסָה does not carry direct theological doctrine or moral instruction. However, its inclusion in the biblical text contributes indirectly to several theological insights:
1. **Fulfillment of Divine Promise**: The very existence and naming of such specific places within the tribal allotments serve as tangible evidence of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. The detailed lists in Joshua and Chronicles demonstrate that God meticulously provided the promised land, down to individual cities and villages.
2. **Divine Order and Sovereignty**: The systematic division of the land among the tribes, including the precise enumeration of cities like חֲצַר סוּסָה, reflects God's orderly nature and His sovereign control over the destiny of His people. It speaks to a divine plan being meticulously executed.
3. **Historical Reliability of Scripture**: The recording of such specific, seemingly minor place names lends credibility to the historical accuracy and meticulousness of the biblical narrative. It suggests a genuine connection to the land and its geography, rather than a fabricated account.
4. **Providence in Practicalities**: The name "village of cavalry" might subtly reflect God's providence in providing for the practical needs and realities of the nation, including resources or strategic locations that may have been important for defense or trade, even if the primary focus of Israel was not to rely on such things but on God.
### Summary
חֲצַר סוּסָה (Chătsar Çûwçâh), Strong's number `{{H2701}}`, is a Hebrew place name meaning "village of cavalry" or "enclosure of horses/mares." It is a compound derived from חָצֵר (village/enclosure) `{{H2691}}` and סוּסָה (mare/horse) `{{H5483}}`. This settlement is mentioned twice in the Old Testament, in [[Joshua 19:5]] and [[1 Chronicles 4:31]] (as Hazar-Susim), consistently identified as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Simeon in the Negev region. While not carrying direct theological meaning, its inclusion in the biblical record underscores the divine fulfillment of land promises to Israel, the meticulousness of God's provision and order, and contributes to the historical reliability of the biblical narrative concerning the tribal settlements of ancient Israel.
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