חָטָא

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent

Definition

The Hebrew word חָטָא fundamentally means 'to miss' a target or goal, as seen in Judges 20:16 where slingers 'miss' their mark. This core idea extends to the primary biblical meaning of 'to sin'—missing God's moral and relational standard, as when God tells Abimelech in Genesis 20:6, 'I kept you from sinning against me.' It also carries a derived sense of bearing the penalty or consequence of sin, such as 'forfeiting' or 'lacking' something, and can be used in ritual contexts for 'purifying' or 'making atonement' for sin (e.g., Leviticus 4:3).

Biblical Usage

חָטָא appears 219 times across the Old Testament, most frequently in Leviticus and Numbers in the context of ritual sin offerings (e.g., Leviticus 4:14). It is used for personal moral failure (Genesis 39:9), unintentional sins (Leviticus 4:2), and communal guilt (2 Chronicles 6:22). The causative form (Hiphil) often means 'to cause to sin' or 'to declare guilty.' Its usage spans narrative, law, prophecy, and wisdom literature, making it a comprehensive term for sin and its consequences.

Etymology

A primitive root. Its basic meaning is 'to miss' or 'to go wrong.' Cognates in related Semitic languages support this sense of erring or failing. The development from a concrete action ('missing a target') to the abstract moral and religious concept of 'sinning' is a key semantic shift evident in its biblical usage.

Semantic Range

This word is central to the biblical doctrine of sin. It frames sin not merely as a legal violation but as a failure to hit the mark of God's perfect will, encompassing both action and consequence. Understanding this root enriches the reading of key passages about atonement, such as Isaiah 53:12 where the suffering servant 'bore the sin of many,' and the sin offering system in Leviticus, which uses this word extensively. It highlights humanity's need for reconciliation with God.

In ancient Israelite culture, 'missing the mark' was a tangible concept from hunting and warfare. Applying this to morality and covenant relationship with Yahweh made sin understandable as a failure in one's duty or relationship, not just an abstract wrong. The ritual use of the word in sacrificial systems connected personal failure with a tangible process for dealing with its consequences before God and community.

פֶּשַׁע (peshaʿ, H6588) — emphasizes rebellion or transgression against authority. עָוֺן (ʿavon, H5771) — focuses on iniquity, guilt, or the crooked nature of sin. רָשָׁע (rashaʿ, H7563) — denotes wickedness, often with a sense of active wrongdoing or criminality.

Word Details

Scripture References