חִטָּה
Chittah
Wheat
Chittah (חִטָּה) is a Hebrew word meaning “wheat,” pronounced “khi-TAH.” Derived from the root ח-ט-ה, chittah appears 30 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H2406).
| Hebrew | חִטָּה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Chittah |
| Pronunciation | khi-TAH |
| Meaning | Wheat |
| Root Letters | ח-ט-ה |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 30× |
| Key Verse | John 12:24 |
| Strong's Number | H2406 |
| Category | Agriculture & Provision |
Wheat was the foundation of life in ancient Israel — the grain from which bread was made, the crop whose harvest determined whether a family would eat or starve. The Hebrew word chittah (חִטָּה) appears in one of the most significant biblical lists: the seven species of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:8), where wheat heads the grain crops. But chittah reaches its theological climax in Jesus' words in John 12:24: 'Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.' In this single metaphor, Jesus reveals the deepest principle of the Kingdom: life comes through death, abundance through sacrifice, fruitfulness through letting go. The wheat harvest — celebrated at the festival of Shavuot (Pentecost) — is when God gave both the Torah at Sinai and the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. Wheat connects agriculture, sacrifice, and the outpouring of God's power.
Key Bible Verse: John 12:24
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat (chittah) falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
What Is the Root of Chittah in Hebrew?
Chittah is an ancient Semitic agricultural term found across multiple Semitic languages. It may be related to a root meaning 'to pierce' or 'to cut,' referring to the sharp awns of the wheat head or the cutting of grain at harvest.
What Does Chittah Mean in the Bible?
Chittah appears 30 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is one of the seven species of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:8), the primary grain offering in the Temple (Leviticus 2), the crop whose harvest marks Shavuot/Pentecost (Exodus 34:22), and Solomon's prosperity indicator (1 Kings 5:11).
How Is Chittah Used in Modern Hebrew?
Israel's Jezreel Valley ('God sows') is one of the most fertile wheat-growing regions in the Middle East. Modern Israeli agriculture exports wheat products worldwide, fulfilling the ancient promise of a land flowing with agricultural abundance.
How to Use Chittah in Prayer & Worship
Embrace the grain of wheat principle: life through death, fruitfulness through surrender. Ask God what needs to 'fall into the earth and die' in your life so that His Kingdom can bear much fruit through you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chittah
How do you say “Wheat” in Hebrew?
“Wheat” in Hebrew is Chittah (חִטָּה), pronounced “khi-TAH.” Chittah is an ancient Semitic agricultural term found across multiple Semitic languages. It may be related to a root meaning 'to pierce' or 'to cut,' referring to the sharp awns of the wheat head or the cutting of grain at harvest.
What does Chittah mean in the Bible?
Chittah (חִטָּה) means “Wheat” in Biblical Hebrew. Chittah appears 30 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is one of the seven species of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:8), the primary grain offering in the Temple (Leviticus 2), the crop whose harvest marks Shavuot/Pentecost (Exodus 34:22), and Solomon's prosperity indicator (1 Kings 5:11).
How do you pronounce Chittah?
Chittah is pronounced “khi-TAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ח-ט-ה.
What are the seven species of the Promised Land?
Deuteronomy 8:8 lists seven crops that characterized the Land's abundance: wheat (chittah), barley (se'orah), grape vines (gefen), fig trees (te'enah), pomegranates (rimmon), olive trees (zayit), and date honey (devash). These seven species are still celebrated in Israel on the festival of Tu BiShvat.
Why did Jesus use a grain of wheat to describe His death?
In John 12:24, Jesus uses the grain of wheat as a metaphor for His coming death and resurrection. Just as a seed must die to its singular form to produce a harvest, Jesus must die to produce the 'much fruit' of redeemed humanity. It's the ultimate agricultural-theological image: death producing life, sacrifice producing abundance.
Why is the wheat harvest connected to Pentecost?
Shavuot (Pentecost) was originally the wheat harvest festival (Exodus 34:22). Jewish tradition later connected it to the giving of the Torah at Sinai. When the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost (Acts 2), God connected physical harvest, Torah-giving, and Spirit-outpouring in one festival — the harvest of souls matching the harvest of grain.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H2406: Chittah
- Bible Gateway — John 12:24 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ח-ט-ה
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