חֵצֶן
𐤇𐤑𐤍
chêtsen
H2683 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A part of the human body corresponding to the chest or bosom, specifically the space between the arms when folded against the body, where a person might carry a child or an object. Its usage denotes not only the anatomical region but also the area conceived as a place of closeness, security, or intimate possession.
Semantic Range
bosom, chest, the space formed between the arms and chest, ledge, recessed compartment (in Ezekiel), architectural feature (possibly ledge or inward offset)
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. Although Strong's speculates an unused root meaning 'to hold firmly,' no attested root ח-צ-ן is found in the extant Hebrew texts. The form appears to be a noun of place or body part, its internal structure suggesting a possible link to related Semitic roots with the idea of containing or enclosing, but this is not directly attested in Biblical Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word חֵצֶן appears only in Ezekiel 43:13, describing the structure or measurement of part of the altar in the visionary temple. English translations often render the word as 'bosom' or 'ledge,' though the precise anatomical or architectural reference remains debated among interpreters and lexicographers. Unlike the far more common term חֵיק (cheq), which regularly refers to the bosom, embrace, or space within the arms for holding, חֵצֶן is rare and contextualized in a technical, probably architectural sense in Ezekiel. In that context, it may refer to a recessed space, ledge, or compartment designed to hold something, rather than the human 'bosom.' The difficulty with translation has led to various renderings (e.g., 'ledge,' 'recess,' 'compartment,' 'bosom') and ongoing discussion concerning its exact referent. Standard English translations thus often approximate its meaning, but the unique usage in Ezekiel should be noted. While later period Greek and Latin translations attempt to render it with their terms for 'bosom' or 'lap,' this does not necessarily clarify the exact sense intended in the Hebrew context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to hold firmly; the bosom (as comprised between the arms); bosom.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חצן (ḥ-ṣ-n) — to hold, to contain, to embrace (speculative)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2684 | חֹצֶן | enclosed bosom |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2683-01 |
וְ/חִצְנ֥/וֹ | vechitseno | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
nor his arm | his bosom | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2683-01 |
Psalms 129:7 | וְ/חִצְנ֥/וֹ | vechitseno | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
nor his arm | his bosom |