חֲטִיפָא (cha.ti.pah)
cha.ti.pah
Hatipha
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 Chatipa appears in only two verses, Ezra 2:54 and Nehemiah 7:56, identifying a specific leader among the Nethinim who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. These temple servants were descendants of those assigned to assist in the Temple’s daily operations, a group established during Solomon’s time and later reorganized after the exile.
Etymologically, Chatipa likely means "seized" or "snatched." This root suggests a person who was taken captive or forcibly relocated, reflecting the traumatic experience of the Babylonian exile. The name serves as a personal reminder of displacement and subsequent restoration, anchoring the individual’s identity to the collective history of his people.
While not a theological term, Chatipa’s presence in the census lists highlights the meticulous record-keeping of the returning community. By listing him alongside other families, the text affirms the legitimacy of these servants’ roles in rebuilding the religious life of Judah, ensuring that every contributor to the Temple’s service was accounted for.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Chatipa appears in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah, marking a specific family among the Nethinim—temple servants who assisted in the daily work of the restored worship. These lists are often read as dry statistics, but they contain real people whose lives were shaped by exile and return. The name itself suggests being seized or taken captive, pointing to the trauma of displacement that many Israelites experienced under Babylonian rule.
Yet this very name is recorded in the holy archives of Jerusalem’s restoration. By including Chatipa’s family in the census, the text affirms their rightful place in the community and their essential role in rebuilding the Temple’s service. It reminds us that God values every individual, even those whose names seem minor or whose histories are marked by loss. Their inclusion shows that no one is forgotten in God’s plan for renewal.
For believers today, this passage offers comfort: our past struggles do not disqualify us from future purpose. Whether you feel overlooked or carry the weight of a difficult history, your story matters to God. He weaves even the broken pieces into a tapestry of restoration, inviting all who return to Him to find their place in His ongoing work.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hatipha2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲטִיפָֽא\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:54
the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
This verse places Chatipa’s family within the official census of returning exiles, confirming their recognized status among the temple servants.
-
Nehemiah 7:56
the children of Neziah, and the children of Hatipha.
The repetition of this name in Nehemiah’s parallel record underscores the community’s commitment to preserving accurate lineage for those serving in the Temple.