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חֲנִית

𐤇𐤍𐤉𐤕

chănîyth

H2595 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חנה to set, to pitch, to encamp

Definition

A spear or lance; specifically, a long-handled weapon with a pointed metal tip used for thrusting or throwing in combat. In biblical contexts, 'חֲנִית' typically denotes a weapon of war carried by soldiers, leaders, or champions, especially for close- or mid-range battle. The term frequently appears as the personal weapon of prominent warriors, indicating status or martial readiness.

Semantic Range

spear, lance, javelin, pole weapon, military weapon (general), symbol of status or leadership in warfare

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חנה (ḥ-n-h), which fundamentally means 'to set, pitch, encamp.' The connection to 'חֲנִית' likely comes through the idea of 'setting' or 'fixing' a weapon or object, here applied to a stick with a pointed head set into it—a spear. The derivation is transparent in form, though the semantic shift from 'to encamp' to 'spear' is based on the notion of setting or planting something upright.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֲנִית appears most prominently in narratives about warfare, particularly as the favored weapon of individuals such as Saul (e.g., 1 Samuel 18:10–11, 19:9–10). The term is distinct from related Hebrew weapons—'חֵ֫רֶב' (ḥérev, sword), 'כִּידוֹן' (kidon, javelin/dart), and 'רֹ֫מַח' (romach, lance)—which can have overlapping or varied meanings in different contexts. In most cases, חֲנִית refers to a spear sizable and weighted enough for melee combat, yet also suitable for throwing, as indicated by some narratives. Its function and shape were likely distinct from lighter, shorter javelins used for longer-range throwing. English translations generally render the term as 'spear,' 'javelin,' or 'lance,' but these carry different connotations in modern military terminology; the biblical חֲנִית appears to be a versatile weapon combining features of both polearms and throwing spears. Over time, the term's martial association persisted, and it did not develop a significant metaphorical or ceremonial usage in biblical literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

lemma חֲניִת second vowel, corrected to חֲנִית; from חָנָה; a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent); javelin, spear.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

חנה (ḥ-n-h) — to set, to pitch, to encamp

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2583 חָנָה to set up camp
H2588 חָנוּת the vaulted cells
H4264 מַחֲנֶה in the encampment
H4265 מַחֲנֵה־דָן encampment of
H4266 מַחֲנַיִם Two Camps-ward

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2595-03 חֲנִֽית chanit HNcfsa spear set spear 13
H2595-06 הַ/חֲנִ֔ית hachanit HTd/Ncfsa the spear the set spear 10
H2595-05 חֲנִית֗/וֹ chanito HNcfsc/Sp3ms his spear his spear 8
H2595-11 וַ/חֲנִית֖/וֹ vachanito HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and his spear and his spear 3
H2595-12 וַ/חֲנִיתֽוֹתֵי/הֶם֙ vachanitoteyhem HC/Ncfpc/Sp3mp and-their-spears and their spears 2
H2595-01 בַּֽ/חֲנִית֙ bachanit HRd/Ncfsa with the spear spear 2
H2595-10 וַ/חֲנִית֙ vachanit HC/Ncfsa and spear and spear 2
H2595-02 בַּ/חֲנִיתֽ/וֹ bachanito HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms with his own spear with his spear 2
H2595-09 וּ/בַ/חֲנִ֣ית uvachanit HC/R/Ncfsa and with a spear and with a spear 2
H2595-08 ה/חנית hchnyt HTd/Ncfsa the spear the spear 1

Occurrences in Scripture

48 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2595-03 1 Samuel 13:19 חֲנִֽית chanit HNcfsa spear set spear
H2595-10 1 Samuel 13:22 וַ/חֲנִית֙ vachanit HC/Ncfsa nor spear and spear
H2595-05 1 Samuel 17:7 חֲנִית֗/וֹ chanito HNcfsc/Sp3ms his spear his spear
H2595-05 1 Samuel 17:7 חֲנִית֔/וֹ chanito-2 HNcfsc/Sp3ms of his spear his spear
H2595-09 1 Samuel 17:45 וּ/בַ/חֲנִ֣ית uvachanit HC/R/Ncfsa and with a spear and with a spear
H2595-09 1 Samuel 17:47 וּ/בַ/חֲנִ֖ית uvachanit HC/R/Ncfsa nor by spear and with a spear
H2595-13 1 Samuel 18:10 וְ/הַ/חֲנִ֖ית vehachanit HC/Td/Ncfsa and the spear and the spear
H2595-06 1 Samuel 18:11 הַ/חֲנִ֔ית hachanit HTd/Ncfsa the spear the set spear
H2595-11 1 Samuel 19:9 וַ/חֲנִית֖/וֹ vachanito HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and his spear and his spear
H2595-01 1 Samuel 19:10 בַּֽ/חֲנִית֙ bachanit HRd/Ncfsa with the spear spear
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