חֲתַת
Chathath, an Israelite
Definition
Chathath is a proper noun identifying an individual in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. He is listed as a son of Othniel, the first judge of Israel, and a grandson of Kenaz (1 Chronicles 4:13). The name appears only in this single genealogical context. As a proper name, it does not carry multiple senses or meanings beyond identifying this specific person within the lineage of Judah.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 4:13. It functions solely as a personal name within a genealogical list, specifically in the chronicles of the tribe of Judah. There are no patterns of usage beyond this single occurrence in a record-keeping context.
Etymology
The name Chathath (חֲתַת) is derived from the identical Hebrew common noun H2866 (חֲתַת), which means 'terror,' 'dread,' or 'shattering.' It is a noun form from the root חתת (ḥth), conveying the idea of being broken, dismayed, or terrified. As a personal name, it likely carried a symbolic or descriptive meaning, perhaps expressing a hope for God to bring terror upon enemies or acknowledging human fragility.
Semantic Range
While the individual Chathath is not a major biblical figure, his placement in the genealogy is theologically significant. He is a descendant of Othniel, a Spirit-empowered deliverer (Judges 3:9-10), connecting him to the theme of God raising up leaders from specific families. His name, meaning 'terror,' when understood etymologically, can serve as a reminder of the contrasting realities in scripture: human fear and the fear of the Lord, or the terror God can bring upon the wicked. It subtly points to the sovereignty of God in family lines and the symbolic weight often carried by Hebrew names.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive, not merely labels. Bearing a name like Chathath ('terror') may have reflected parental hopes regarding the child's character or destiny, or it may have commemorated an event surrounding his birth. Its use in a genealogy underscores the importance of lineage and tribal identity in preserving the history and promises of God's people.
As a proper noun, there are no direct synonyms. Etymologically, it shares a root with concepts of fear: אֵימָה (eymah, H367) — a more general term for terror or dread; פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — often refers to sudden fear or alarm.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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