חַטִּיל (chat.til)
chat.til
Hattil
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Chattil, or Hattil in English transliteration, appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the genealogical lists of Ezra and Nehemiah. It identifies a specific individual who served as the head of a family among the "children of Solomon’s servants" during the return from Babylonian exile. These records document the reorganization of Jewish society in Jerusalem under Zerubbabel.
Lexical sources often associate the name with the meaning "doubtful." This etymological link is speculative but intriguing, as it contrasts sharply with the historical reality of the post-exilic community. The returnees were engaged in the concrete, difficult work of rebuilding their lives and the Temple, a task requiring certainty and resolve rather than doubt.
Its primary significance lies in its preservation of identity. By recording this name alongside hundreds of others, the biblical text affirms that even those from minor or servant families were integral to the restored community. The mention serves as a historical marker for the inclusion of all social strata in the religious renewal of the period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hattil appears in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah, marking a family among Solomon’s servants who returned from exile. While its etymology is debated, some suggest it means 'doubtful,' yet its presence in these lists tells a different story. It stands as a testament to the concrete reality of rebuilding community after loss.
These records do not just list names; they affirm that every family, regardless of status, played a part in restoring Jerusalem. This inclusion reminds us that God’s work often involves ordinary people doing difficult tasks with quiet resolve. Your place in the body of Christ is similarly valued, not by your background, but by your faithful participation in His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hattil2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַטִּ֗יל2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:57
the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami.
This verse places Hattil within the specific group of Solomon’s servants, highlighting their unique role in the post-exilic community structure.
-
Nehemiah 7:59
the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, and the children of Amon.
The repetition of this name in Nehemiah confirms the continuity of family identities during the second phase of the restoration efforts.