חָצוֹת (cha.tsot)
cha.tsot
middle
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chāṣôt denotes a division or midpoint, often translated as "middle," "mid-", or "half." It functions primarily as an adverbial accusative to mark time or position, indicating the central point of a period or space. In its most famous usage, it appears in Exodus 12:29 and Psalm 78:45 to describe the "middle of the night," marking the specific hour when God’s judgment fell upon Egypt or when plagues struck.
Though rare, appearing in only three verses across the Hebrew Bible, its impact is significant. The word conveys a sense of suddenness and precision; it is not just any time at night, but the deep, quiet hours when vigilance typically drops. In Job 34:20, it similarly underscores the unexpected nature of divine action, occurring without warning in the dark. This lexical choice emphasizes that God’s interventions are not bound by human schedules or expectations.
Translators often render chāṣôt as "midnight" to capture this temporal specificity, though the literal sense is simply a dividing point. The word highlights the biblical theme of divine sovereignty over time, showing that God acts decisively at the appointed moment, even in the deepest darkness. Its sparse usage ensures that each occurrence carries substantial narrative weight, anchoring major theological events in a precise, unforgettable timeframe.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chāṣôt points to a precise midpoint, often marking the deepest part of the night. It is not merely a time on a clock but a moment when human plans pause and divine action takes center stage. In Exodus, this timing marks a decisive shift in history, showing that God’s purposes unfold with exactness even when circumstances seem darkest.
For your daily life, this word reminds us that we do not need to control every outcome. God is present in the quiet hours when we feel most vulnerable. Psalm 119:62 shows a response of gratitude rather than fear, suggesting that trust can flourish even in the stillness of midnight. We are invited to rest in the knowledge that our lives are held by a sovereign who acts with purpose.
This precision offers comfort. It assures us that no moment is wasted or overlooked. Whether in times of waiting or sudden change, God’s timing remains faithful. You can find peace in knowing that He sees and guides every season, bringing hope where there seems to be only darkness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the] middle of1×
- about/ [the] middle of1×
- [the] middle of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּ/חֲצֹ֣ת1×
- חֲצֽוֹת\־1×
- וַ/חֲצ֪וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 11:4
Moses said, “This is what Yahweh says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt,
This occurrence marks the specific hour when God’s judgment on Egypt begins, highlighting His sovereign control over historical events.
-
Job 34:20
In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
Here the word emphasizes the suddenness of divine action, showing that God can remove the mighty without warning or human intervention.
-
Psalms 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
This verse uses the term to describe a personal moment of worship, illustrating how believers can respond with thankfulness even in the quietest hours.