חֲצַר גַּדָּה
𐤇𐤑𐤓 𐤂𐤃𐤄
Chatsar Gadah
H2693 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun referring to a specific settlement mentioned in the southern territorial lists of the Israelite tribes, most likely in the Negev region. The name means 'enclosure/settlement of Gaddah' or 'village of Fortune,' where 'Gaddah' may represent a personification of fortune or a reference to a clan or local deity.
Semantic Range
settlement of Fortune, enclosure of Gaddah, village named after or associated with a person or deity called Gaddah, proper place-name in territorial listing
Root / Etymology
חֲצַר (ḥăṣar) is from the root חצר, meaning 'enclosure, settlement, courtyard.' גַּדָּה (gaddâh) is a feminine form related to the root גד, which can mean 'luck, fortune' and is closely connected to the deity Gad. The compound form follows a common pattern of toponyms formed from חצר plus a clan name, personal name, or concept. In this instance, the feminine ending in גַּדָּה is distinctive and may either indicate a local name or an abstract reference to 'fortune.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The place name חֲצַר גַּדָּה appears in Joshua 15:27 among the territorial allotments of southern Judah. It is attested only in location lists and does not play a narrative role. The meaning of גַּדָּה here is debated: some scholars consider it a feminized reference to the deity Gad, associated with fortune or luck, while others see it as a personal or clan name. Such toponyms (חצר + name/attribute) are characteristic of southern Judah and adjacent regions during the First Temple period. In English translations, this name is often rendered as 'Hazar-gaddah,' but the term 'village of Fortune' reflects a deeper cultural nuance, possibly hinting at clan-based settlement patterns or cultic associations. There is no evidence that the term 'Jew' (in later translations) accurately reflects the context of this place in the biblical period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָצֵר and a feminine of גַּד; (the) village of (female) Fortune; Chatsar-Gaddah, a place in Palestine; Hazar-gaddah.
Bantu Hebrew
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חצר, גד (ḥ-ṣ-r; g-d) — enclosure, settlement, courtyard; fortune, allotment
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2693-02 |
וַ/חֲצַ֥ר | vachatsar | HC/Np |
and Hazar | and Settlement-of-Gaddah | 1 |
H2693-01 |
גַּדָּ֛ה | gadah | HNp |
Gaddah | Settlement of Gaddah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2693-02 |
Joshua 15:27 | וַ/חֲצַ֥ר | vachatsar | HC/Np |
and Hazar | and Settlement-of-Gaddah |
H2693-01 |
Joshua 15:27 | גַּדָּ֛ה | gadah | HNp |
Gaddah | Settlement of Gaddah |