חֵטְא
Chet
Sin, offense, missing the mark
Chet (חֵטְא) is a Hebrew word meaning “sin, offense, missing the mark,” pronounced “KHET.” Derived from the root ח-ט-א, chet appears 580 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H2399).
| Hebrew | חֵטְא |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Chet |
| Pronunciation | KHET |
| Meaning | Sin, offense, missing the mark |
| Root Letters | ח-ט-א |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 580× |
| Key Verse | Genesis 4:7 |
| Strong's Number | H2399 |
| Category | Covenant & Theology |
The Hebrew word for sin — chet (חֵטְא) — comes from an archery term meaning 'to miss the mark.' This is not a trivial distinction. Western Christianity often frames sin in purely legal categories: guilt, verdict, punishment. But the Hebrew reveals something different. Chet is not fundamentally about being bad — it is about being off-target, about missing the life God designed you for. In Judges 20:16, the same root describes Benjamin's elite slingers who 'could sling a stone at a hair and not miss (chata).' The word paints sin not as moral depravity alone, but as a failure to hit God's intended target for human flourishing. This is why God's first recorded warning about sin is so striking. In Genesis 4:7, He tells Cain — before the murder of Abel — that sin is 'crouching at the door' like a predator. The Hebrew personifies chet as a living creature with desire and intent, waiting to pounce. God doesn't lecture Cain about abstract morality; He warns him about a specific, lurking danger and tells him, 'You must rule over it.' This is the Hebrew understanding of sin: it is real, it is personal, it is aggressive, and human beings are called to master it. Understanding chet liberates Christians from shame-based religion and empowers them toward the life of purposeful aim that God intended from the beginning.
Key Bible Verse: Genesis 4:7
“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin (chatat) is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
What Is the Root of Chet in Hebrew?
Chet comes from the root ח-ט-א (chet-tet-aleph), meaning 'to miss, to err, to go astray.' In Judges 20:16, the same root describes slingers who 'would not miss' — sin in Hebrew is fundamentally a failure to hit the target, not merely a violation of rules.
What Does Chet Mean in the Bible?
Chet and its related forms (chata, chatat, chata'ah) appear over 580 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is used for the sin offering (chatat) in Leviticus, personal transgression (Psalm 51:2), national sin (Exodus 32:30), and the personified predator crouching at Cain's door (Genesis 4:7).
How Is Chet Used in Modern Hebrew?
In Jewish theology, teshuvah (repentance/return) is the primary remedy for chet. The liturgy of Yom Kippur includes extensive confession (vidui) using an alphabetical list of sins. Importantly, Judaism teaches that chet against another person requires reconciliation with that person — God forgives offenses against Himself, but interpersonal wrongs require direct amends.
How to Use Chet in Prayer & Worship
Ask God to show you where you are 'missing the mark' — not to condemn you, but to realign your aim. Psalm 51 is the model prayer of repentance: 'Against you, you only, have I sinned (chatati).' Confession is the first step to getting back on target.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chet
How do you say “Sin” in Hebrew?
“Sin” in Hebrew is Chet (חֵטְא), pronounced “KHET.” Chet comes from the root ח-ט-א (chet-tet-aleph), meaning 'to miss, to err, to go astray.' In Judges 20:16, the same root describes slingers who 'would not miss' — sin in Hebrew is fundamentally a failure to hit the target, not merely a violation of rules.
What does Chet mean in the Bible?
Chet (חֵטְא) means “Sin, offense, missing the mark” in Biblical Hebrew. Chet and its related forms (chata, chatat, chata'ah) appear over 580 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is used for the sin offering (chatat) in Leviticus, personal transgression (Psalm 51:2), national sin (Exodus 32:30), and the personified predator crouching at Cain's door (Genesis 4:7).
How do you pronounce Chet?
Chet is pronounced “KHET.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ח-ט-א.
Does 'missing the mark' make sin less serious?
Not at all. Missing God's target for your life is devastating — it means missing the abundant life He designed you for, missing the relationships He intended, and missing the purpose He gave you. The archery metaphor actually makes sin more serious, not less, because it reveals that every sin is a failure to become what God created you to be. Missing the mark by an inch or a mile — you still miss.
What is the difference between chet, avon, and pesha in Hebrew?
Hebrew has three main words for sin, each with a different nuance: Chet (חֵטְא) means 'missing the mark' — unintentional errors and failures. Avon (עָוֺן) means 'iniquity' or 'crookedness' — a deliberate bending of what is straight. Pesha (פֶּשַׁע) means 'transgression' or 'rebellion' — willful defiance against God's authority. Psalm 51:1-2 uses all three, and God forgives all three (Exodus 34:7).
Why does God personify sin in Genesis 4:7?
God tells Cain that sin is 'crouching at the door,' using the Hebrew word 'rovetz' — the same word for a predatory animal lying in wait. This personification reveals that in Hebrew thought, sin is not merely an abstract concept but an active, aggressive force with 'desire' (teshuqah) aimed at dominating you. God's instruction — 'you must rule over it' — implies that human beings have the God-given ability and responsibility to resist.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H2399: Chet
- Bible Gateway — Genesis 4:7 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ח-ט-א
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