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הָתַת

𐤄𐤕𐤕

hâthath

H2050 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To plan or plot, often with negative intent, especially in the sense of devising harm or ill-will. In the few attestations of the form, the verb refers to the act of preparing or contriving a negative outcome, such as mischief or trouble. The primary lexical sense is to imagine, devise, or contrive (usually evil or calamity). There are rare instances where it may simply mean to purpose or plan, but the context typically skews toward negative intent.

Semantic Range

to plan (evil), to devise, to imagine (mischief), to plot evil, to purpose (with negative intent)

Root / Etymology

Root: התת. The root is rare and not well attested in Biblical Hebrew; its base meaning appears to be 'to devise' or 'to plan.' The etymology is uncertain as התת does not show clear affinities with more commonly used Hebrew roots. Suggestions have been made linking the root to concepts of 'attacking' or 'assaulting,' but this is not widely supported by linguistic evidence.

Historical & Contextual Notes

הָתַת occurs only infrequently, notably in poetic texts such as Psalm 62:4[5] and Psalm 140:2[3], where the participle is used to describe individuals plotting calamity or mischief against others. The word is almost always tied to negative contexts, paralleling verbs such as חָשַׁב (to devise, think) or זמם (to plan, plot), but with a more focused sense of intentional malevolence or harmful plotting. In most English translations, the nuance of calculated, hostile intent may be softened to mere 'planning' or 'imagining,' which can obscure the word's negative connotations in Hebrew. There is no evidence that the root was used in later Hebrew literature, nor does it develop a significantly broader or more neutral sense in post-biblical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

xlit hâthathʼ corrected to hâthath; a primitive root; properly, to break in upon, i.e. to assail; imagine mischief. w

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

התת (h-t-t) — to plan, to devise, to contrive

Root התת to plan, to devise, to contrive

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2050-01 תְּהֽוֹתְת֣וּ tehotetu HVoi2mp attack you contrive harm you contrive harm 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2050-01 Psalms 62:4 תְּהֽוֹתְת֣וּ tehotetu HVoi2mp attack you contrive harm you contrive harm
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