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חִצִּי

𐤇𐤑𐤉

chitstsîy

H2678 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חץ to pierce, to shoot, arrow (as a sharp projectile)

Definition

A singular or collective noun meaning 'arrow,' referring broadly to a projectile weapon shot from a bow. Typically denotes a singular arrow, but frequently used in a collective or generic sense for arrows as a class. Can refer to literal arrows used in warfare or hunting, figurative arrows representing divine or human punishment, or projectiles more generally in poetic or metaphorical contexts.

Semantic Range

arrow (singular or collective), shaft of an arrow, metaphor for sudden attack or affliction, symbol of divine punishment, instrument of war or hunting

Root / Etymology

From the root חֵץ (chetz), meaning 'arrow'; חִצִּי serves as an alternative or prolonged form of the base noun, with an extra yod possibly serving as a stylistic or morphological variant. The root ח־צ־ץ conveys the idea of sharpness, division, or being shot forth, which fits with the concept of an arrow as a sharp, flying projectile.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Both חִצִּי (chitstsîy) and חֵצִי (chetzî) appear interchangeably in biblical texts as variants of 'arrow.' The distinction is often orthographic, not semantic. In narrative and poetic books, the term is employed literally for physical arrows (e.g., used in battle narratives) and metaphorically for sudden or sharp calamity, divine wrath, or the infliction of suffering (cf. poetic books and prophetic literature). In ancient Israelite warfare, arrows were among standard weapons alongside spears and swords. The word does not carry the concept of a thrown javelin, which is denoted by other Hebrew terms. The use of 'arrow' as a metaphor for divine judgment is especially prominent in poetic and prophetic passages. Standard English translations generally capture the physical sense of 'arrow,' but sometimes miss the metaphorical nuance present in Hebrew literary contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or חֵצִי; prolongation from חֵץ; an arrow; arrow.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חץ (ḥ-ṣ-ṣ) — to pierce, to shoot, sharp projectile

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2671 חֵץ the arrows

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2678-03 הַ/חִצִּ֖ים hachitsim HTd/Ncmpa the arrows the arrows the arrows 7
H2678-02 הַ/חֵ֖צִי hachetsi HTd/Ncmsa the arrow the arrow the arrow 4
H2678-01 בַּ/חִצִּ֥ים bachitsim HRd/Ncmpa arrows the arrows the arrows 2
H2678-04 ה/חצי hchtsy HTd/Ncmsa the arrows the arrow the arrow 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2678-03 1 Samuel 20:20 הַ/חִצִּ֖ים hachitsim HTd/Ncmpa the arrows the arrows the arrows
H2678-03 1 Samuel 20:21 הַ/חִצִּ֑ים hachitsim HTd/Ncmpa the arrows the arrows the arrows
H2678-03 1 Samuel 20:21 הַ/חִצִּ֣ים hachitsim-2 HTd/Ncmpa the arrows the arrows the arrows
H2678-03 1 Samuel 20:22 הַ/חִצִּ֖ים hachitsim HTd/Ncmpa the arrows the arrows the arrows
H2678-03 1 Samuel 20:36 הַ֣/חִצִּ֔ים hachitsim HTd/Ncmpa arrows the arrows the arrows
H2678-02 1 Samuel 20:36 הַ/חֵ֖צִי hachetsi HTd/Ncmsa the arrow the arrow the arrow
H2678-02 1 Samuel 20:37 הַ/חֵ֔צִי hachetsi HTd/Ncmsa of the arrow the arrow the arrow
H2678-02 1 Samuel 20:37 הַ/חֵ֖צִי hachetsi-2 HTd/Ncmsa the arrow the arrow the arrow
H2678-04 1 Samuel 20:38 ה/חצי hchtsy HTd/Ncmsa the arrows the arrow the arrow
H2678-03 1 Samuel 20:38 הַ֣/חִצִּ֔ים hachitsim HTd/Ncmpa (plural) the arrows the arrows
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