חֵת (chet)

chet

Heth

H2845 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 12 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 12 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The noun chet refers to a specific individual, the eldest son of Canaan and grandson of Ham, who appears in the genealogical records of Genesis 10:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:8. He is listed alongside his brothers, such as Sidon and Jebusite, marking him as the eponymous ancestor of a distinct people group known as Hittites.

This personal name carries the meaning "terror," a semantic detail that links the family line to concepts of fear or dread in ancient Near Eastern naming conventions. The text uses this figure to establish the ethnic origins of the Hittites, a group frequently encountered in the patriarchal narratives and later Israelite history.

While chet identifies the progenitor, the related term chitti describes his descendants. The biblical narrative treats these people not merely as abstract ancestors but as significant political and social neighbors with whom figures like Abraham negotiated land purchases and David engaged in military conflicts.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Heth appears in the Bible not as a theological concept, but as a real person and a representative of a specific people group. As the son of Canaan, he marks the beginning of the Hittite lineage, a family line that becomes deeply intertwined with the lives of Israel’s earliest patriarchs. This reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through actual history, involving real families, land transactions, and cultural interactions.

When Abraham negotiates with the children of Heth to buy a cave for Sarah, he does not dismiss them as enemies but treats them with respect. This interaction shows that faithfulness often involves engaging honestly with our neighbors, regardless of their background. The name itself carries a meaning related to fear or terror, yet the biblical narrative uses this group to highlight grace, negotiation, and the fulfillment of God’s promises in a complex world.

For your own life, Heth serves as a quiet reminder that you are part of a larger story. Just as Abraham found a place of rest among the children of Heth, you can trust that God provides stability and community even when you are a stranger in a foreign land. His presence in the text anchors our faith in historical reality rather than abstract ideas.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Heth14×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

חֵ֑ת5×
חֵֽת\׃4×
חֵֽת\׃\ \ס1×
חֵ֤ת1×
חֵ֛ת1×
חֵ֖ת1×
חֵ֔ת1×

Key Verses

Genesis 10:15
Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth,

This verse establishes Heth as a distinct individual within the Table of Nations, identifying him as the eponymous ancestor of the Hittite people.
Genesis 23:16
Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current merchants’ standard.

Here the transaction is finalized in public view before the children of Heth, emphasizing the legal and social weight of Abraham’s purchase of the burial site.
Genesis 27:46
Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?”

Rebekah’s concern about the daughters of Heth highlights the cultural and religious tensions that influenced family decisions among the patriarchs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Heth in the Bible?

Heth is a biblical figure listed as the son of Canaan and grandson of Ham. He is the eponymous ancestor of the Hittite people, appearing primarily in genealogical records like Genesis 10:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:8.

What does the name Heth mean?

The name Heth is traditionally understood to mean 'terror' or 'fear.' This semantic root links the family line to concepts of dread in ancient Near Eastern naming conventions, even though the biblical narrative focuses on their social interactions.

Why are the children of Heth important in Genesis?

They are significant because Abraham negotiates with them to purchase the cave of Machpelah for Sarah’s burial. This event marks the first piece of land legally owned by the patriarchs in the Promised Land, establishing a tangible foothold for God’s people.

Every Occurrence (12 verses across 2 books)

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 10:15

Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth,

Genesis 23:3

Abraham rose up from before his dead and spoke to the children of Heth, saying,

Genesis 23:5

The children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,

Genesis 23:7

Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, to the children of Heth.

Genesis 23:10

Now Ephron was sitting in the middle of the children of Heth. Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the…

Genesis 23:16

Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of…

Genesis 23:18

to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

Genesis 23:20

The field, and the cave that is in it, were deeded to Abraham by the children of Heth as a possession for a burial…

Genesis 25:10

the field which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife.

Genesis 27:46

Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters…

Genesis 49:32

the field and the cave that is therein, which was purchased from the children of Heth.”

I Chronicles 1 verse