### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **chathchath**, represented by `{{H2849}}`, is a specific term for **terror** or **fear**. It appears only **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible, indicating a very focused application to describe a profound sense of dread.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single use of `{{H2849}}` is found within a poetic passage in Ecclesiastes that describes the frailties of old age. The verse explains that as people grow old, even everyday things become sources of anxiety, stating, "and **fears** shall be in the way" [[Ecclesiastes 12:5]]. This context firmly ties the word to the apprehensions and terrors that can arise in the final stages of life, where the path forward seems fraught with dangers.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its only context help illuminate its meaning:
* `{{H3372}}` **yârêʼ** (to fear; morally, to revere): This verb appears in the same verse, describing how the elderly "shall be afraid" of heights [[Ecclesiastes 12:5]]. It describes the action or state of being fearful, while **chathchath** represents the concrete terrors themselves.
* `{{H1870}}` **derek** (a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action): The verse places the **fears** `{{H2849}}` directly in the "**way**" [[Ecclesiastes 12:5]]. This links the terror not just to a physical road but metaphorically to the journey and course of one's life.
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H2849}}` is understood primarily through its unique context and its relationship to broader biblical themes.
* **Anxiety of the Human Condition:** The use of **chathchath** in [[Ecclesiastes 12:5]] powerfully illustrates the human experience of anxiety and dread in the face of physical decline and mortality. The "fears in the way" symbolize the obstacles that plague the end of life's journey.
* **The Moral Path:** By being placed in the "way" `{{H1870}}`, the term connects to the biblical concept of one's life path. This path can be one of wickedness [[Isaiah 55:7]] or one directed by God [[Proverbs 3:6]], suggesting that the "terrors" are a feature of a life lived with a purely mortal perspective.
* **Contrast with Divine Reassurance:** The associated verb for fear, `{{H3372}}`, is frequently used in commands from God to "Fear not" ([[Genesis 15:1]], [[Isaiah 41:10]]). This creates a sharp contrast between the worldly **terror** represented by `{{H2849}}` and the peace that comes from trusting in God's presence and promises.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2849}}` **chathchath** is a potent but narrowly used word for **terror**. Its sole appearance in [[Ecclesiastes 12:5]] anchors its meaning to the fears encountered on the path of life, especially during old age. While it depicts a debilitating human anxiety, its context within the wider scriptural narrative highlights a contrast between the terrors of the world and the call to find security and courage through reverence for God.
TRV