חָצוֹר חֲדַתָּה

new Chatsor, a place in Palestine

Definition

חָצוֹר חֲדַתָּה (Châtsôwr Chădattâh) refers to a specific place name meaning 'New Hazor.' It is a location within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah, as listed in Joshua 15:25. The name distinguishes it from other towns named Hazor in the region, indicating it was either a newer settlement or a rebuilt version of an older site. This single biblical occurrence identifies it as one of the towns in the southern part of Judah's inheritance.

Biblical Usage

This compound place name is used only once in the Old Testament, in Joshua 15:25, within a list of cities given to the tribe of Judah. Its usage is purely geographical, serving to identify a specific town within the tribal allotment. There are no narrative contexts or patterns of usage beyond this single administrative listing.

Etymology

The name is a combination of two elements: 'חָצוֹר' (Châtsôwr, H2674), meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement,' a common name for fortified towns, and 'חֲדַתָּה,' an Aramaic-influenced form of the Hebrew feminine adjective 'חָדָשׁ' (chadash, H2319), meaning 'new.' Thus, the name literally means 'New Hazor,' likely denoting a newer or rebuilt settlement compared to an older site of the same name.

Semantic Range

Place names in the ancient Near East often described a location's function, history, or distinguishing feature. 'New Hazor' follows this pattern, likely indicating a settlement established or repopulated after an older 'Hazor.' Its listing in Joshua 15 reflects the Israelite practice of systematically allocating conquered land among the tribes, a fulfillment of God's promise. The name itself helps differentiate it from other, more prominent cities named Hazor, such as the major Canaanite city in the north.

חָצוֹר (Châtsôwr, H2674) — The root name, meaning a general enclosed settlement or village, without the 'new' designation.

Word Details

Scripture References