a primitive root; properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) to decree; determine.
Transliteration:châthak
Pronunciation:khaw-thak'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H2852 (חָתַךְ, *châthak*) is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to cut off." This literal sense implies a decisive action of severing, separating, or bringing to an end by cutting. From this concrete physical action, the word develops a significant figurative meaning: "to decree" or "to determine." This semantic extension suggests an act of authoritative decision-making, where a matter is definitively settled, much like cutting a piece of material to a precise, final dimension. It conveys the idea of setting a fixed limit, boundary, or period, establishing something with finality and precision. The transition from physical cutting to authoritative decree highlights the unalterable and precise nature of the determination.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The most prominent, indeed almost singular, occurrence of H2852 in the Hebrew Bible is found in the pivotal prophecy of Daniel concerning the seventy weeks.
In [[Daniel 9:24]], the word appears in the Pual participle form, *nêḥtāḵ* (נֶחְתַּךְ), translated as "are determined" or "are decreed": "Seventy weeks are *determined* (חָתַךְ, *châthak*) upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy."
In this context, the passive voice emphasizes that the seventy weeks are not merely predicted or estimated, but are a divinely fixed and unalterable period. They are "cut off" from the continuum of time and specifically allocated for the fulfillment of profound redemptive purposes. This usage underscores the precise and authoritative nature of God's prophetic plan, indicating a divinely ordained schedule that will unfold with absolute certainty and exactness. The word conveys a sense of finality and divine appointment for this specific era in salvation history.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Hebrew words share semantic overlap with H2852 in its various nuances:
* `{{H1504}}` (גָּזַר, *gāzar*): Meaning "to cut off" or "to divide," this word also extends to "to decree" or "to decide," particularly in a judicial or authoritative sense (e.g., [[Job 22:28]]). It shares the decisive, authoritative aspect of H2852.
* `{{H3772}}` (כָּרַת, *kārat*): Meaning "to cut," "to cut off," or "to cut down." This word is notably used in the idiom "to cut a covenant," signifying the solemn and binding nature of an agreement (e.g., [[Genesis 15:18]]). Like H2852, it implies a definitive and unchangeable act.
* `{{H2710}}` (חָקַק, *chaqaq*): Meaning "to engrave," "to inscribe," or "to decree." Its derivative, `{{H2706}}` (חֹק, *choq*), refers to a "statute" or "decree," something fixed and unalterable, often by divine authority. This concept of fixed, unchangeable law or decree is very close to the figurative sense of H2852.
* The broader concept of divine **sovereignty** and **predestination** is implicitly linked to H2852, as it is God who "cuts off" or "determines" specific periods and events according to His will.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2852 is profound, primarily stemming from its use in [[Daniel 9:24]]. It powerfully communicates the **absolute sovereignty and meticulous precision of God** in His governance of history and His execution of redemptive plans.
1. **Divine Certainty and Precision:** The "seventy weeks" are not a flexible or approximate period but are *châthak*—"cut off" or "determined" with divine exactness. This underscores that God's prophetic timeline is fixed, certain, and will be fulfilled precisely as declared. It speaks to God's infallible foreknowledge and His ability to orchestrate all events according to His pre-ordained schedule.
2. **Purposeful History:** The word emphasizes that history is not random but unfolds according to a divinely decreed purpose. The specific goals for which the seventy weeks are "determined"—to finish transgression, make an end of sins, bring everlasting righteousness, and anoint the most Holy—highlight God's ultimate aim in salvation history: the complete redemption accomplished through the Messiah.
3. **Unwavering Faithfulness:** The unchangeable nature implied by *châthak* provides immense assurance of God's faithfulness to His promises. What God determines, He will bring to pass. This certainty strengthens faith in the reliability of God's Word and His ultimate triumph over sin and evil.
4. **Messianic Focus:** In the context of Daniel 9, H2852 points directly to the coming of the Messiah and His atoning work. The period "determined" culminates in the anointing of the "most Holy" and the establishment of "everlasting righteousness," underscoring the centrality of Christ in God's fixed plan for humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H2852 (חָתַךְ, *châthak*) carries the literal meaning "to cut off," but its profound theological weight is derived from its figurative sense: "to decree" or "to determine." Its singular, yet highly significant, appearance in [[Daniel 9:24]] reveals its critical role in conveying the **divine authority and precision** behind God's prophetic timeline. The "seventy weeks" are not merely predicted but are *châthak*—"cut off" or "fixed" by an unalterable divine decree. This signifies God's absolute sovereignty over history, His meticulous orchestration of redemptive events, and the unwavering certainty of His promises. The word underscores the fixed, unchangeable nature of God's purposes, providing a foundation for faith in His faithfulness and His ultimate control over all things, culminating in the precise fulfillment of His plan through the Messiah.
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