חָנַט
𐤇𐤍𐤈
chânaṭ
H2590 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To treat with aromatic substances, primarily referring to the process of embalming a body with spices and preservatives; by extension, to anoint or preserve with spices. In some contexts, to prepare (produce) for ripening or maturation with aromatic application, though this sense is rare and contextually debated.
Semantic Range
to embalm, to treat or anoint with spices for preservation, to preserve by aromatic agents; by rare extension in later usage, to prepare fruits or produce for ripening
Root / Etymology
Root: חנט. The root appears to denote the handling or treatment of substances, especially in connection with aromatic agents. From this root, חָנַט developed the specific meaning of 'to embalm' using spices, aligning with preservation practices using fragrant or preservative substances. The verb is denominative in its association with aromatic or preserving material, and it is distinct from roots meaning simply 'to spice' or 'to scent.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָנַט occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, primarily referring to the embalming practices described in Genesis related to Jacob and Joseph in Egypt, reflecting an Egyptian mortuary custom wherein the body is treated with aromatic substances (spices and resins) to preserve it. The semantic range of 'to spice' or 'to embalm' in this context does not imply simple culinary spicing but a specialized process of preservation. The application for 'to ripen' or 'to put forth' derives from later or metaphorical extensions in post-biblical and rabbinic Hebrew and is absent in canonical biblical contexts. In translation traditions, 'embalm' is standard, but historical processes varied, and modern embalming is not equivalent to the ancient practice. The word is not used for Israelite funerary customs outside the Egyptian narrative, indicating its cultural specificity. Distinct from other Hebrew roots such as בָּשַׂם (to perfume), חָנַט exclusively indicates the preservative act.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to spice; by implication, to embalm; also to ripen; embalm, put forth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חנט (ḥ-n-ṭ) — to treat with aromatic substances, to embalm, to preserve
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2591 | חִנְטָא | wheat-grains |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2590-04 |
וַ/יַּחַנְט֥וּ | vayachanetu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and embalmed | and they embalmed | 2 |
H2590-02 |
הַ/חֲנֻטִ֑ים | hachanutim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the embalmed | the embalmed ones | 1 |
H2590-03 |
לַ/חֲנֹ֖ט | lachanot | HR/Vqc |
to embalm | to embalm with spices | 1 |
H2590-01 |
חָֽנְטָ֣ה | chanetah | HVqp3fs |
ripens | she embalmed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2590-03 |
Genesis 50:2 | לַ/חֲנֹ֖ט | lachanot | HR/Vqc |
to embalm | to embalm with spices |
H2590-04 |
Genesis 50:2 | וַ/יַּחַנְט֥וּ | vayachanetu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and embalmed | and they embalmed |
H2590-02 |
Genesis 50:3 | הַ/חֲנֻטִ֑ים | hachanutim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the embalmed | the embalmed ones |
H2590-04 |
Genesis 50:26 | וַ/יַּחַנְט֣וּ | vayachanetu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they embalmed | and they embalmed |
H2590-01 |
Song of Songs 2:13 | חָֽנְטָ֣ה | chanetah | HVqp3fs |
ripens | she embalmed |