Lexical Summary chittith: Terror, Dread Original Word: חִתִּית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance terror From chathath; fear -- terror. see HEBREW chathath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chathath Definition terror NASB Translation terror (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs חִתִּית noun feminine terror, only Ezekiel; absolute ׳ח Ezekiel 32:23, but Co reads חִתִּיתָם (with ᵐ5 and Ezekiel 32:24; Ezekiel 32:26); construct id. Ezekiel 32:27; suffix חתיתו Ezekiel 32:32 Kt (> חִתִּיתִי Qr); חִתִּיתָם Ezekiel 32:24 2t.+ Ezekiel 26:17 (read חִתִּיתָהּ, with ᵐ5 Ew Co, see VB), Ezekiel 32:30 (read חַתִּים, see II. חת); — terror, caused by powerful cities, nations, kings, etc.: usually with suffix object Genitive Ezekiel 26:17 (of Tyre); elsewhere only Ezekiel 32: Ezekiel 26:27 (גִּבּוֺרִים ׳ח, ᵑ6 Co גבור תם ׳ח), Ezekiel 26:30 (חִתִּיתָם, but read חַתִּים, see above); especially in phrase בארץ ׳נָתַן ח חַיִּים cause one's terror (terror of oneself) in the land of the living Ezekiel 26:23; Ezekiel 26:24; Ezekiel 26:25 (strike out ᵐ5 Co), Ezekiel 26:26; Ezekiel 26:32. — חִתִּית Ezekiel 16:3,45 see חִתִּי below חֵת above. Topical Lexicon Definition and General Sense חִתִּית denotes an overpowering dread that paralyzes a population, whether caused by ruthless conquerors or, ultimately, by the righteous judgment of God. While secular powers wield it to dominate, Scripture asserts that such fear is finally redirected back upon them by the LORD of hosts. Occurrences and Context in Ezekiel 1. Ezekiel 26:17 portrays Tyre’s maritime empire: “She and her inhabitants imposed terror on all the dwellers on the earth.” The word highlights the psychological sway Tyre held before its fall. Historical Background Tyre (sixth century BC) boasted invulnerability through trade networks and defensive island fortifications. Egypt, at the same time, marshaled foreign mercenaries from Elam, Meshech, Tubal, and others. These coalitions used intimidation to project influence across the Near East. Ezekiel, prophesying in Babylonian exile, catalogs their downfall as Babylon’s armies close in, reminding Israel that geopolitical terror is neither ultimate nor autonomous. Theological Significance 1. Divine Retribution: The repetition of חִתִּית in Ezekiel 32 shifts “terror” from subject (what they inflicted) to object (what is inflicted upon them). God controls even the emotions of nations (compare Proverbs 21:1). Inter-textual Connections • Leviticus 26:36 foretells that covenant disobedience would subject Israel to “terror,” the same dread later wielded by Gentile empires. Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Consolation: Believers living under oppressive regimes can anchor hope in the pattern revealed by חִתִּית—earthly terror is finite, God’s justice inevitable (Psalm 37:1-2). Summary חִתִּית exposes the fleeting nature of man-made intimidation. Tyre’s commercial might and Egypt’s military coalitions once radiated dread; now they illustrate the certainty that “the LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing” (Psalm 33:10). For the people of God, the term serves both as a historical reminder of divine sovereignty and a call to revere the only fear that endures—the holy fear of the living God. Forms and Transliterations בְּחִתִּיתָ֤ם בחתיתם חִתִּ֖ית חִתִּ֥ית חִתִּיתָ֖ם חִתִּיתָ֜ם חִתִּיתָם֙ חִתִּיתִ֖י חתית חתיתי חתיתם bə·ḥit·tî·ṯām bechittiTam bəḥittîṯām chitTit chittiTam chittiTi ḥit·tî·ṯām ḥit·tî·ṯî ḥit·tîṯ ḥittîṯ ḥittîṯām ḥittîṯîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 26:17 HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ נָתְנ֥וּ חִתִּיתָ֖ם לְכָל־ יוֹשְׁבֶֽיהָ׃ NAS: imposed her terror On all KJV: which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt INT: Who imposed her terror all her inhabitants Ezekiel 32:23 Ezekiel 32:24 Ezekiel 32:25 Ezekiel 32:26 Ezekiel 32:27 Ezekiel 32:30 Ezekiel 32:32 8 Occurrences |
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