### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H2849}}` (חַתְחַת, chathchath) signifies an intense and overwhelming state of "terror" or "fear." It is a reduplicated form derived from the root `{{H2845}}` (חַת, chath), which conveys the sense of "dismay," "terror," or "being broken." The repetition inherent in chathchath emphasizes the profound and pervasive nature of this dread, suggesting not merely a fleeting apprehension but a deeply unsettling and perhaps persistent experience of terror. It describes a condition of being utterly dismayed and shattered by fear, rather than a mild or manageable anxiety.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H2849}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the book of Ezekiel:
* [[Ezekiel 32:30]]: "There are the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down with the slain, ashamed in spite of the terror which they caused by their might, and they lie uncircumcised with those slain by the sword, and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit." (Note: Some translations render "terror which they caused" while others, like ESV, translate "with their terror," implying the terror they experience or are associated with in their downfall).
In this singular occurrence, chathchath is used in a prophetic lament concerning the downfall of powerful nations and their leaders, specifically the princes of the north and the Sidonians. They are depicted as being "ashamed in spite of the terror" (or "with their terror") as they are cast into the pit, joining those slain by the sword. The context is one of divine judgment and the humbling of once-mighty empires. The "terror" here is inextricably linked to their demise and humiliation. It may represent the dread they themselves experience as their power crumbles, or it could allude to the terror they once inspired in others, which now ironically accompanies their own ignominious end. Regardless, it underscores a state of profound dread and shame accompanying their destruction.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which `{{H2849}}` is formed: `{{H2845}}` (חַת, chath), meaning "dismay" or "terror." Closely associated is the verb `{{H2865}}` (חָתַת, chatat), "to be terrified," "dismayed," or "broken." These terms collectively describe a state of being utterly overwhelmed and incapacitated by fear.
Other Hebrew words expressing various forms of fear or dread include:
* `{{H6343}}` (פַּחַד, pachad): often referring to a deep, often divine, dread or terror.
* `{{H3372}}` (יִרְאָה, yirah): encompassing both reverential awe (fear of the Lord) and general fear.
* `{{H2731}}` (חֲרָדָה, charadah): signifying trembling, anxiety, or great fear.
The concept of chathchath is also linked to broader biblical themes such as divine judgment, the reversal of human fortunes, the humbling of the proud, and the ultimate futility of relying on earthly power in defiance of God.
### Theological Significance
The solitary appearance of `{{H2849}}` in [[Ezekiel 32:30]] carries significant theological weight. It serves as a potent descriptor of the psychological and spiritual state of those who face God's judgment. The "terror" described is not the wholesome "fear of the Lord" that leads to wisdom and life (`{{H3372}}`), but rather a destructive, humiliating dread that accompanies the downfall of the unrighteous.
This passage highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, even those that seem invincible in their might. The terror experienced by these fallen princes is a direct consequence of their pride and their reliance on their own strength, rather than acknowledging the true source of power. It illustrates that worldly power, when arrayed against divine will, ultimately leads not to triumph but to profound shame and terror. The presence of chathchath in this context underscores the utter desolation and spiritual bankruptcy that awaits those who are cut off from God and face His righteous wrath. It is a terrifying state of being, stripped of all former glory and exposed in utter vulnerability.
### Summary
`{{H2849}}` (חַתְחַת, chathchath) denotes an intense, overwhelming, and debilitating "terror" or "fear," stemming from the root `{{H2845}}` (חַת, chath). Its reduplicated form emphasizes the profound and pervasive nature of this dread. Appearing uniquely in [[Ezekiel 32:30]], it describes the state of powerful nations and their leaders as they face divine judgment and humiliating downfall. The "terror" in this context is a consequence of their pride and rebellion, accompanying their destruction and underscoring the futility of human might against God's sovereign will. It serves as a stark reminder of the inevitable dread and shame that awaits those who are subject to divine retribution, contrasting sharply with the reverential fear of the Lord that leads to life.
TRV