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חִתִּית

𐤇𐤕𐤉𐤕

chittîyth

H2851 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state or feeling of fear; an intense dread or terror experienced in response to a threat or overwhelming danger. The term frequently denotes the internal emotional state of being terrified, particularly in situations involving divine judgment, warfare, or personal peril.

Semantic Range

terror, intense fear, dread, emotional collapse, panic

Root / Etymology

From the verb חָתַת (ḥātat), meaning 'to be shattered, dismayed, frightened.' חִתִּית (ḥittîth) is a feminine noun form derived from this root, denoting the concept of being gripped by fear or terror. The root expresses the idea of something crushed, disintegrated, or emotionally broken down (i.e., dismayed or terrified).

Historical & Contextual Notes

חִתִּית appears in poetic and prophetic contexts, often describing the paralyzing fear that overtakes individuals or groups, especially as a result of divine intervention (cf. Job 41:17 [MT]; Isaiah 21:4). The word is stronger than general terms for fear (such as יִרְאָה yir’ah), emphasizing an overwhelming, incapacitating dread rather than mere anxiety. Its use is concentrated in texts illustrating the psychological impact of dramatic events, such as the appearance of terrifying creatures, prediction of judgment, or military disaster. English translations often render it as 'terror,' which captures intensity but may not always express the sense of inner collapse implied by the term.

Translation Consistency

primary "terror" 4 occurrences

The SILEX range emphasizes intense dread and panic rather than ordinary fear, and the attested P2 renderings overwhelmingly use “terror.” “Terror” is natural English, conveys the intensity of chittîyth in contexts like divine judgment and warfare, and therefore best serves as the single consistent base word.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"shattering-terror" (4x) "terror-stricken one" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָתַת; fear; terror.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חתת (ḥ-t-t) — to be shattered, to be dismayed, to fear intensely

Root חתת to be shattered, to dismay, to fear intensely
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2844 חַת he was shattered
H2845 חֵת Heth
H2847 חִתָּה shattering-terror of
H2849 חַתְחַת shattering terrors
H2850 חִתִּי and the Hittite

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2851-03 חִתִּיתָ֖/ם chititam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their terror their shattering-terror their shattering-terror 4
H2851-02 חִתִּ֖ית chitit HNcfsa terror terror-stricken one terror 2
H2851-04 חִתִּיתִ֖/י chititi HNcfsc/Sp1cs my terror my shattering terror my terror 1
H2851-01 בְּ/חִתִּיתָ֤/ם bechititam HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp because of their terror in their shattering-terror by their terror 1
H2851-05 חתית/ו chtytv HNcfsc/Sp3ms his terror his shattering terror his terror 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2851-03 Ezekiel 26:17 חִתִּיתָ֖/ם chititam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their terror their shattering-terror their shattering-terror
H2851-02 Ezekiel 32:23 חִתִּ֖ית chitit HNcfsa terror terror-stricken one terror
H2851-03 Ezekiel 32:24 חִתִּיתָ/ם֙ chititam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their-terror their shattering-terror their shattering-terror
H2851-03 Ezekiel 32:25 חִתִּיתָ֜/ם chititam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their terror their shattering-terror their shattering-terror
H2851-03 Ezekiel 32:26 חִתִּיתָ֖/ם chititam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their terror their shattering-terror their shattering-terror
H2851-02 Ezekiel 32:27 חִתִּ֥ית chitit HNcfsc terror terror-stricken one terror-stricken one
H2851-01 Ezekiel 32:30 בְּ/חִתִּיתָ֤/ם bechititam HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp because of their terror in their shattering-terror by their terror
H2851-05 Ezekiel 32:32 חתית/ו chtytv HNcfsc/Sp3ms his terror his shattering terror his terror
H2851-04 Ezekiel 32:32 חִתִּיתִ֖/י chititi HNcfsc/Sp1cs my terror my shattering terror my terror
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