חַטָּא
a criminal, or one accounted guilty
Definition
The Hebrew noun חַטָּא (chaṭṭâʼ) refers to a person who commits offenses against God or others, specifically a 'sinner' or 'offender.' It describes someone who is guilty of wrongdoing, either in a general moral sense (Genesis 13:13) or in the context of specific rebellions against divine authority, such as Korah's followers (Numbers 16:38). In some passages, it carries a strong connotation of being condemned or judged, as seen in Psalms where the 'sinner' is contrasted with the righteous (Psalm 1:1, 5). The term can denote both individual culpability and collective guilt, as when applied to groups who have strayed from God's commands (1 Samuel 15:18).
Biblical Usage
חַטָּא appears 19 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and poetic books. It is used to label individuals or groups as guilty offenders, often in contexts of divine judgment or moral contrast. In historical books like Numbers and 1 Kings, it describes those who rebel against God's ordained leadership (Numbers 16:38; 1 Kings 1:21). In Psalms, it frequently sets up a dichotomy between the wicked 'sinner' and the blessed righteous, emphasizing the fate of the guilty (Psalm 1:1, 5; 25:8). The usage underscores a pattern of identifying culpability before God.
Etymology
Derived from the root חָטָא (H2398), meaning 'to miss the mark' or 'to sin,' חַטָּא is an intensive noun form that emphasizes the actor—one who habitually or grievously sins. It shares this root with words like חַטָּאת (H2403, 'sin offering'), highlighting a connection between the sinner and the need for atonement. The development from a verbal action to a noun labeling the perpetrator reflects a focus on personal guilt and moral identity.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines human sinfulness in relational terms—offenses against God's holiness and commands. It underpins key doctrines of sin, guilt, and the need for redemption, contrasting sharply with divine righteousness. Understanding חַטָּא enriches Bible reading by clarifying the Old Testament's view of sin as not just an act but a state of being, setting the stage for the New Testament's solution in Christ's atonement for sinners.
In ancient Israelite culture, being labeled a חַטָּא carried social and religious stigma, implying separation from the community and God's favor. Unlike modern individualistic views of sin, it often involved collective identity, where one's actions could affect the group (e.g., Numbers 16:38). This cultural understanding emphasizes the communal impact of guilt and the importance of maintaining covenant faithfulness.
רָשָׁע (rāshāʿ, H7563) — emphasizes wickedness or moral evil, often with a focus on active rebellion. פֹּשֵׁעַ (pōshēaʿ, H6586) — denotes a transgressor or rebel, highlighting willful violation of boundaries. עָוֹן (ʿāvôn, H5771) — refers to iniquity or guilt as a condition, more abstract than the person.
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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