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חָתַר

𐤇𐤕𐤓

châthar

H2864 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To dig through or break open (especially walls or structures), to make a breach. By extension, to make an opening, force entry, or create a passageway, sometimes with implications of stealth or deliberate effort. In some contexts, the term is used to describe the action of digging through for theft or escape, and also metaphorically for the effort of gaining access or movement, including the act of rowing (creating a path through water).

Semantic Range

to dig through (a wall or physical barrier), to break or breach, to force entry (often by stealth), to make an opening, to row (metaphoric extension), to escape by creating a passage

Root / Etymology

The verb חָתַר derives from the root ח-ת-ר (חתר), which has the core meaning of digging or breaking through. It is considered a primary (primitive) root in Hebrew and is not derived from another Hebrew term. The word's usage reflects an action directed at the removal or displacement of material to create a passage or breach.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical texts, חָתַר most often refers to digging through a physical barrier such as a wall, as in the context of an intruder breaking and entering (e.g., Ezekiel 8:8; Job 24:16). The imagery often connotes secrecy or illicit activity, corresponding to the ancient Near Eastern practice of physically cutting through (rather than unlocking) entrances for theft. In Ezekiel 12:5–7,14, it depicts action taken to escape or exit, indicating urgency or necessity. In some post-biblical or slightly later usage, the verb also comes to signify rowing, understood metaphorically as cutting or forcing a passage through the water (cf. Rabbinic Hebrew). English translations may obscure the underlying sense of physical exertion, breach, or passage by limiting the translation to 'dig' or 'break through.'

Translation Consistency

primary "dig" 5 occurrences

The primary and most natural sense across occurrences is physical excavation or making an opening (to dig through/breach). 'Dig' covers digging through walls or earth and conveys the deliberate, often stealthy effort implied by the root; it is more natural English than 'breach' or 'break' and can be used idiomatically for extended senses (e.g., making a way).

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"dug through" (2x) "rowed" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to force a passage, as by burglary; figuratively, with oars; dig (through), row.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

חתר (châthar) — to dig, to break through, to force passage

Root חתר to dig, to break through, to force passage
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4290 מַחְתֶּרֶת in the breach-tunnel

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2864-01 חֲתָר chatar HVqv2ms dig Break through! Dig through! 3
H2864-05 יַחְתְּר֣וּ yacheteru HVqi3mp they dig they break through they will dig 2
H2864-02 חָתַֽרְתִּי chatareti HVqp1cs I dug I dug through I dug through 1
H2864-03 וָ/אֶחְתֹּ֣ר vaechetor HC/Vqw1cs and I dug and I dug through and I dug through 1
H2864-04 וַ/יַּחְתְּר֣וּ vayacheteru HC/Vqw3mp and they rowed and they dug through and they rowed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2864-01 Ezekiel 8:8 חֲתָר chatar HVqv2ms dig Break through! Dig through!
H2864-03 Ezekiel 8:8 וָ/אֶחְתֹּ֣ר vaechetor HC/Vqw1cs and I dug and I dug through and I dug through
H2864-01 Ezekiel 12:5 חֲתָר chatar HVqv2ms dig Break through! Dig through!
H2864-02 Ezekiel 12:7 חָתַֽרְתִּי chatareti HVqp1cs I dug I dug through I dug through
H2864-05 Ezekiel 12:12 יַחְתְּר֖וּ yacheteru HVqi3mp they-will-dig they break through they will dig
H2864-05 Amos 9:2 יַחְתְּר֣וּ yacheteru HVqi3mp they dig they break through they will dig
H2864-04 Jonah 1:13 וַ/יַּחְתְּר֣וּ vayacheteru HC/Vqw3mp and they rowed and they dug through and they rowed
H2864-01 Job 24:16 חָתַ֥ר chatar HVqp3ms they dig Break through! they dig through
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