חִתָּה
fear
Definition
The noun חִתָּה (chittâh) refers to a state of fear, terror, or dread. It describes a profound emotional and psychological response to a perceived threat or overwhelming display of power. In its single biblical occurrence, it specifically denotes the paralyzing fear that God supernaturally placed upon the surrounding cities to protect Jacob and his family (Genesis 35:5). This is not a general anxiety but a divinely imposed terror that prevented hostile action.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 35:5. It describes the specific context where God protects Jacob's household as they travel to Bethel. The 'terror of God' (חִתַּת אֱלֹהִים) falls upon the cities along their route, causing the inhabitants to refrain from pursuing them in retaliation for the massacre at Shechem. This singular usage shows the word applied in a context of divine intervention for protection, where God directly influences human emotions to achieve His purposes.
Etymology
The noun חִתָּה (chittâh) is derived from the verbal root חָתַת (chathath, H2865), which means 'to be shattered, dismayed, or terrified.' This root conveys the idea of being broken down in courage or spirit. The noun form captures the resulting state or condition caused by that action—namely, terror. Cognates in other Semitic languages support this sense of dread or fright.
Semantic Range
חִתָּה is theologically significant as it illustrates God's active, sovereign protection of His covenant people. The 'terror of God' in Genesis 35:5 is not a natural emotion but a supernatural imposition, demonstrating that God controls the hearts and minds of people to safeguard His plans. This concept enriches the understanding of divine providence, showing that God's care can involve directly influencing human psychology to create a path of safety for His chosen ones, ensuring the fulfillment of His promises.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, terror was a common tool of warfare and divine judgment. For a traveling clan like Jacob's to be shielded by a divinely sent terror would have been understood as a powerful sign of that deity's favor and protection. This act positioned the God of Israel as superior to local gods and capable of controlling the emotions of entire city populations, a concept that resonated in a culture where gods were believed to influence human affairs directly.
פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — a more common word for fear, often describing the emotional reaction itself. יִרְאָה (yir'ah, H3374) — can mean 'fear' but more prominently denotes 'awe' or 'reverence,' especially toward God. אֵימָה (eymah, H367) — terror or dread, often associated with the frightening majesty of God.
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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