חֲטִי

חֲטִי

an offence

Definition

חֲטִי is an Aramaic noun meaning 'sin' or 'offence.' It specifically denotes a moral or religious transgression against divine law. In its sole biblical occurrence, Daniel 4:27, it is used in the context of King Nebuchadnezzar's pride and injustice, urging him to 'break off his sins by righteousness.' The word carries the sense of a concrete act of wrongdoing that requires atonement or correction.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel (Daniel 4:27). It is used by the prophet Daniel in direct, royal counsel to King Nebuchadnezzar, advising him to repent from his specific acts of pride and oppression. The context is a prophetic warning about the consequences of royal arrogance and social injustice.

Etymology

Derived from an Aramaic root corresponding to the Hebrew root חָטָא (ḥāṭāʾ, H2398), which fundamentally means 'to miss the mark' or 'to err.' This Aramaic form, חֲטִי, is the nominal derivative, meaning 'a sin' or 'an offence.' It shares this core concept of deviation from a standard with its Hebrew counterpart.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it appears in a key passage on repentance. Daniel's use of חֲטִי emphasizes that sin is not just a state but involves specific, accountable actions ('your sins'). It connects the concept of sin directly to social justice ('iniquities' against the oppressed) and presents repentance as an active 'breaking off' of wrongdoing, paired with positive acts of righteousness and mercy. This enriches the biblical understanding of repentance as both turning from sin and turning toward justice. In its Aramaic context within the Babylonian court, the word carried a weight of royal accountability. For a prophet like Daniel to directly confront a powerful monarch about his 'sins' was a bold act that challenged the king's absolute authority, asserting that even he was subject to a higher divine law. The sins cited—pride and oppression of the poor—were specific failures of a ruler's duty to administer justice. חַטָּאָה (ḥaṭṭāʾâ, H2403) — The more common Hebrew noun for 'sin,' sharing the same root; used extensively throughout the Old Testament. עָוֺן (ʿāwōn, H5771) — Often translated 'iniquity,' implying guilt or perversity, a deeper moral crookedness. פֶּשַׁע (peshaʿ, H6588) — Often translated 'transgression' or 'rebellion,' emphasizing a willful breach of relationship.

Word Details