patronymically from חֵת; a Chittite, or descendant of Cheth; Hittite, Hittities.
Transliteration:Chittîy
Pronunciation:khit-tee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma חִתִּי (Chittîy), transliterated as Chittîy, is a gentilic noun derived from חֵת (Cheth) `{{H2845}}`. It signifies a "Hittite" or a "descendant of Heth," who was a son of Canaan, as recorded in [[Genesis 10:15]]. The term encompasses both individual members of this ancient ethnic group and the collective nation itself. Semantically, it refers to a distinct people group that inhabited the land of Canaan prior to and during the Israelite conquest and settlement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Hittites are frequently mentioned throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the Pentateuch and historical books. They are consistently listed among the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan whose land was promised by God to Abraham's descendants (e.g., [[Genesis 15:20]], [[Exodus 3:8]], [[Deuteronomy 7:1]]). A notable early interaction occurs in [[Genesis 23]], where Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite, demonstrating their established presence and land ownership in the region of Hebron, as well as a structured legal system for land transactions.
During the period of the Israelite monarchy, Hittites appear in various capacities. Uriah the Hittite is a prominent example, serving as one of King David's mighty men, renowned for his loyalty and bravery (e.g., [[2 Samuel 11:3]], [[2 Samuel 23:39]]). This illustrates the potential for individuals from these nations to be integrated into Israelite society, even achieving positions of honor. King Solomon is also noted for having Hittite wives, indicating political alliances and intermarriage (e.g., [[1 Kings 11:1]]). The Hittites are also referenced in prophetic literature, often as a historical point of reference for the inhabitants of the land, as seen in the metaphorical language of [[Ezekiel 16:3]], where Jerusalem's "father was an Amorite and her mother a Hittite," used to describe Israel's mixed origins and spiritual apostasy. Their presence in the biblical narrative spans from the patriarchal period through the monarchy, attesting to their historical significance in the ancient Near East.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **חֵת (Cheth) `{{H2845}}`**: The direct progenitor of the Hittites, son of Canaan. This is the root from which חִתִּי (Chittîy) is derived.
* **כְּנַעַן (Kena'an) `{{H3669}}`**: Canaan, the father of Heth, and the broader geographical region inhabited by the Hittites and other related groups.
* **אֱמוֹרִי (ʾĔmôrî) `{{H567}}`**: Amorite, another prominent pre-Israelite group frequently listed alongside the Hittites (e.g., [[Genesis 15:16]], [[Ezekiel 16:3]]).
* **חִוִּי (Ḥiwwî) `{{H2340}}`**: Hivite, another Canaanite group often mentioned with the Hittites.
* **יְבוּסִי (Yĕbûsî) `{{H2983}}`**: Jebusite, the inhabitants of Jerusalem before David's conquest.
* **פְּרִזִּי (Pĕrizzî) `{{H6522}}`**: Perizzite.
* **גִּרְגָּשִׁי (Girgāshî) `{{H1622}}`**: Girgashite.
These groups collectively represent the "seven nations" of Canaan, whose land was divinely promised to Israel.
### Theological Significance
The Hittites serve as a tangible illustration of the nations dispossessed by God to fulfill His covenant promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan (e.g., [[Genesis 15:18-21]]). Their consistent mention underscores the reality and scope of the land promised. Their inclusion in the lists of nations to be driven out highlights God's sovereignty over all peoples and His specific redemptive plan for Israel. The divine command to drive them out (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 20:16-18]]) emphasizes the necessity of Israel's distinctiveness and purity from the pagan practices prevalent among the Canaanite peoples.
However, the presence of figures like Uriah the Hittite suggests that individuals from these nations could come to serve the God of Israel and be integrated into the Israelite community, indicating a broader potential for inclusion in God's plan beyond ethnic boundaries, even amidst the general command for separation. The metaphorical use of "Hittite" in [[Ezekiel 16:3]] to describe Jerusalem's origins serves as a severe indictment of Israel's spiritual infidelity, linking their apostasy to the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations against which they had been repeatedly warned. The Hittites, like other Canaanite groups, represent the spiritual darkness and idolatry from which Israel was called to be set apart, making their displacement a theological imperative for the establishment of God's holy nation.
### Summary
The term חִתִּי (Chittîy) refers to the Hittites, an ancient ethnic group descended from Heth, son of Canaan. They are consistently portrayed in the biblical narrative as significant inhabitants of the land of Canaan, from the patriarchal period through the monarchy. Their presence underscores the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham regarding the land. While generally categorized among the nations to be dispossessed due to their idolatry, individual Hittites, such as Uriah, demonstrate instances of loyalty and integration into Israelite society. The Hittites thus serve as a theological marker for the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the promised land, representing both the challenge of paganism and the profound scope of God's sovereign plan for His chosen people.
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