חָגָּא (cha.ga)
cha.ga
terror
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chagga appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 19:17. It describes a state of reeling or staggering, specifically caused by fear. The word paints a vivid picture of people losing their physical balance and stability because they are overwhelmed by terror.
In its single biblical context, it refers to the Egyptians turning against one another in panic. The sources indicate that this shaking is not just emotional anxiety but a tangible loss of composure. It suggests a community so frightened that it cannot stand firm or act coherently.
This rare term highlights how divine judgment can dismantle social order through sheer fright. Instead of describing a battle lost to swords, Isaiah uses chagga to show how fear itself becomes the weapon that causes a nation to stumble and collapse from within.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Isaiah uses this rare word for terror, he paints a picture of people so overwhelmed by fear that they physically stagger and lose their balance. It is not just nervousness; it is a complete loss of stability where a community turns against itself in panic. This vivid imagery reminds us that true peace comes only from trusting Yahweh of Armies, who holds all power.
In our own lives, we may feel like the ground is shifting beneath us due to anxiety or uncertainty. Yet this word points to a deeper truth: when we rely on human plans rather than God’s sovereignty, we risk losing our footing entirely. Finding rest in His unchanging nature helps us stand firm when everything else seems to shake.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <into>/ an object of terror1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/חָגָּ֔א1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 19:17
The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt. Everyone to whom mention is made of it will be afraid, because of the plans of Yahweh of Armies, which he determines against it.
This verse uses the word to describe how Egypt becomes a terror, causing them to stagger and lose their national stability because of God's determined plans.