חָצַץ
cha.tsats
to divide
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word חָצַץ (cha.tsats) means "to divide." This physical action encompasses activities that separate or cut something into parts. The verb is found only twice in the Bible, indicating its relatively limited usage in the scripture. Given its restrictive occurrences, it appears that this word was chosen specifically to convey a particular meaning or nuance in the given context. As the verb is associated with the semantic domain of Physical Action, its use likely requires an object or subject that can be physically divided or cut. Its meaning is more concrete and tangible, unlike other verbs that describe abstract concepts. While the limited occurrences of the word make it challenging to establish a broader significance, its presence in the Bible suggests that dividing or cutting can be an important concept in specific passages. Its definition and usage imply that when this word is used, the focus will be on a physical action of separation or division.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text