חֹצֶן
Definition
The Hebrew noun חֹצֶן (chôtsen) refers to the fold of a garment, specifically the part of the robe that is gathered and held at the chest or waist, forming a pouch or lap. It is used to carry objects, as seen in Nehemiah 5:13, where Nehemiah shakes out his 'lap' as a symbolic act of judgment. In a metaphorical sense, it represents a place of safety, provision, and carrying, as in Isaiah 49:22, where nations are brought to God's people in the divine 'bosom' or fold. The word essentially denotes a container formed by one's clothing, used for both practical and symbolic purposes.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts. In Nehemiah 5:13, it is used literally: Nehemiah performs a prophetic gesture by shaking out his 'lap' (חֹצֶן) to symbolize God shaking out anyone who breaks their oath. In Isaiah 49:22, it is used metaphorically: the Lord says He will lift up a signal to the nations, who will then carry the sons and daughters of Zion in their 'bosom' (חֹצֶן), picturing a gentle, protective transport. Both uses leverage the image of a garment's fold as a means of carrying.
Etymology
The word חֹצֶן (chôtsen) is a collateral or variant form of חֵצֶן (chêtsen, H2683), both meaning 'bosom' or 'lap.' It derives from a root suggesting something hollow or curved, fitting the concept of a fold in clothing that creates a pouch. The relationship between the two forms highlights a slight phonetic variation without a change in core meaning, both pointing to the part of the garment used for carrying items close to the body.
Semantic Range
Theologically, חֹצֶן enriches the imagery of God's care and judgment. In Isaiah 49:22, it portrays God's sovereign gathering and protective provision for His people, using the nations as His instruments. In Nehemiah 5:13, it illustrates the seriousness of covenant faithfulness, where a simple physical act conveys divine consequence. Understanding this Hebrew term deepens appreciation for biblical metaphors where common items—like clothing—become vessels of spiritual truth about God's nurture and justice.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the fold of the outer garment (the 'lap' or 'bosom') functioned as a pocket or bag for carrying personal items, seeds, or even small animals (2 Kings 4:39 references a similar concept). This practical use made it a ready symbol for bearing burdens, receiving provision, or, as in Nehemiah's act, emptying out contents as a sign of loss. The modern equivalent might be a pouch or the fold of a coat, but the cultural immediacy of the gesture in Nehemiah would have been powerfully understood by his audience.
חֵצֶן (chêtsen, H2683) — A direct variant with identical meaning of 'bosom' or 'lap.' חֵיק (cheyq, H2436) — Also means 'bosom' or 'lap,' but often implies a more intimate embrace or a place of close relationship (e.g., Deuteronomy 13:6).
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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