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מַחֲצִית

𐤌𐤇𐤑𐤉𐤕

machătsîyth

H4276 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חצה to divide, to split, to apportion

Definition

A half, specifically one of two equal parts into which something is divided; used in context to indicate a portion equal to one-half of a given measure, quantity, or temporal span. The term can also denote the midpoint or middle of something, often with reference to time (such as the middle of the day). Its primary lexical meaning is 'half,' but it may also be used more abstractly to refer to 'a division into two.'

Semantic Range

half, one of two equal portions, middle (of a time period), mid-point, division into two, a half-share or half-measure (specifically as a technical or ritual term), midpoint in time (e.g., midday)

Root / Etymology

From the root חצה (ḥ-ṣ-h), which means 'to divide, split, or apportion.' מַחֲצִית is a feminine abstract noun formation indicating the result or product of dividing—i.e., a half. The form reflects the typical pattern for nouns denoting a portion or fraction derived from the root action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מַחֲצִית appears in contexts involving precise division, especially in ritual or legal settings (e.g., the 'half-shekel' temple tax in Exodus 30:13 ff.), ensuring fairness and equality in distribution or measurement. In poetic or timekeeping contexts, the term may be extended to mean 'midpoint' (such as 'midday,' cf. Psalm 55:18). The word is not limited to monetary or quantifiable substances—it can be applied to time, objects, or abstract divisions. Compared to other words denoting 'part' or 'portion,' מַחֲצִית presupposes exactness (i.e., two equal parts), whereas terms like חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, 'portion') can denote a less precise share. Modern English translations usually render the term as 'half,' which correctly reflects its primary sense, but do not always convey the legal or ritual precision the term could have in ancient settings. Its meaning and use remain consistent from the pre-exilic through post-exilic periods.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָצָהlemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה; a halving or the middle; half (so much), mid(-day).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חצה (ḥ-ṣ-h) — to divide, to split, to apportion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2673 חָצָה he divided
H2676 חָצוֹת night-division
H2677 חֵצִי in the half of
H2679 חֲצִי הַמְּנֻחוֹת half of
H2680 חֲצִי הַמְּנַחְתִּי half-Manahethite

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4276-01 מַחֲצִ֥ית machatsit HNcfsc half half of 5
H4276-07 וּ/מִ/מַּחֲצִ֨ת umimachatsit HC/R/Ncfsc and from the half and from half of 4
H4276-04 מִֽ/מַּחֲצִ֖ית mimachatsit HR/Ncfsc from half from a half-portion of 3
H4276-05 מִ/מַּֽחֲצִיתָ֖/ם mimachatsitam HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp from their half from their half-portion 1
H4276-02 מַחֲצִיתָ֣/הּ machatsitah HNcfsc/Sp3fs half of it her half 1
H4276-03 מַחֲצִית֖/וֹ machatsito HNcfsc/Sp3ms half of it his half-portion 1
H4276-06 וּ/מַחֲצִיתָ֖/הּ umachatsitah HC/Ncfsc/Sp3fs and half of it and her half-portion 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4276-01 Exodus 30:13 מַחֲצִ֥ית machatsit HNcfsc half half of
H4276-01 Exodus 30:13 מַחֲצִ֣ית machatsit-2 HNcfsc half half of
H4276-04 Exodus 30:15 מִֽ/מַּחֲצִ֖ית mimachatsit HR/Ncfsc than the half from a half-portion of
H4276-03 Exodus 30:23 מַחֲצִית֖/וֹ machatsito HNcfsc/Sp3ms half of it his half-portion
H4276-01 Exodus 38:26 מַחֲצִ֥ית machatsit HNcfsc half half of
H4276-02 Leviticus 6:13 מַחֲצִיתָ֣/הּ machatsitah HNcfsc/Sp3fs half of it her half
H4276-06 Leviticus 6:13 וּ/מַחֲצִיתָ֖/הּ umachatsitah HC/Ncfsc/Sp3fs and half of it and her half-portion
H4276-05 Numbers 31:29 מִ/מַּֽחֲצִיתָ֖/ם mimachatsitam HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp from their half from their half-portion
H4276-07 Numbers 31:30 וּ/מִ/מַּחֲצִ֨ת umimachatsit HC/R/Ncfsc and-from-the-half and from half of
H4276-07 Numbers 31:42 וּ/מִֽ/מַּחֲצִ֖ית umimachatsit HC/R/Ncfsc and from the half and from half of
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