חֲתֻנָּה (cha.tun.nah)
cha.tun.nah
marriage
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun chatunnah refers specifically to a wedding or marriage ceremony. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Song of Solomon 3:11. In this verse, King Solomon is described as going forth in the crown that his mother made for him on the day of his wedding and the gladness of his heart.
This single occurrence highlights the word’s focus on the celebratory public event rather than the private marital bond itself. The context emphasizes joy, royalty, and communal celebration. Translators typically render it as "wedding" to capture this sense of a formal occasion marked by festivity and honor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chatunnah points to the public celebration of a union, specifically the wedding feast or ceremony itself. It appears only once in Scripture, in Song of Solomon 3:11, where King Solomon goes forth adorned with the crown his mother made for him on the day of his gladness. This rare usage highlights that marriage is not just a private agreement but a communal event marked by joy, honor, and celebration.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that relationships are meant to be celebrated openly. The biblical view does not hide love in shadows; it brings it into the light with festivity and dignity. When you see marriage as a day of gladness, you recognize it as a gift from God intended for shared joy rather than mere duty.
This perspective encourages us to value the communal aspect of our lives. Just as Solomon’s wedding was a moment of public honor, your own commitments can be occasions where others witness the goodness of God’s design. It invites you to approach relationships with a heart ready for celebration and gratitude.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wedding/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲתֻנָּת֔/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 3:11
Go out, you daughters of Zion, and see King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the day of the gladness of his heart.
This is the only occurrence of the word, describing King Solomon's wedding day as a time of public gladness and royal honor.