חָתַת (cha.tat)
cha.tat
to to be dismayed
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 43 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chatah describes a state of being shattered or broken down, often by overwhelming fear. It conveys more than simple caution; it depicts a person who is confounded, paralyzed, or stripped of confidence. The imagery suggests a collapse of spirit, where courage fails and the individual is left in a state of dismay.
This word appears frequently in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Isaiah to describe the reaction of nations facing divine judgment. For instance, Isaiah 20:3 notes that people were dismayed by the prospect of captivity, while Jeremiah 8:9 describes scholars as confounded and terrified when confronted with God’s truth. The term captures the sudden loss of strength that accompanies the realization of inevitable defeat.
Its root sense involves breaking or prostrating, which explains why it is used for both physical destruction and psychological terror. Translators often render it as "dismayed" or "terrified," highlighting the internal collapse rather than just external danger. The word underscores that true fear can dismantle a person’s resolve completely.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chatah describes a deep internal collapse where courage fails and confidence shatters under pressure. It is more than simple caution; it depicts a person who is confounded, paralyzed, or stripped of resolve by overwhelming fear. This imagery suggests a sudden loss of strength that accompanies the realization of inevitable defeat, leaving the individual in a state of dismay.
Scripture often contrasts this human fragility with divine stability. In Joshua 1:9, the command to not be dismayed is grounded in the promise that God is with you wherever you go. This assurance does not remove danger but provides the strength to face it without internal collapse. When we feel our resolve weakening, we can look to the same God who strengthens us to stand firm against fear.
Even when nations fall into dismay as seen in Isaiah 30:31, God remains sovereign over the outcome. The biblical narrative invites us to trust that our security does not rest on our own unshakable confidence but on the presence of the Lord. We are encouraged to seek His strength when our own feels insufficient, finding peace in the knowledge that He goes before us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 43 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you be dismayed14×
- it will be shattered4×
- and/ they will be dismayed3×
- and/ be shattered3×
- they were dismayed2×
- they are dismayed2×
- it is dismayed2×
- it has been shattered2×
- you must be dismayed1×
- they will be terrified1×
- they will be shattered1×
- they will be dismayed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַ֖תּוּ4×
- תֵּחָֽת\׃2×
- תֵּחָ֑תּוּ2×
- תֵּחָ֑ת2×
- תֵּחַ֣ת2×
- וָ/חֹ֔תּוּ2×
- וְ/חַתּ֥וּ2×
- תֵּחָֽתּוּ\׃1×
- תֵּחָ֔ת1×
- תֵּחַת֙1×
- תֵּחַ֙תּוּ֙1×
- תֵּחַ֗תּוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 1:9
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
This verse pairs the command not to be dismayed with the promise of God's constant presence, showing that courage is rooted in relationship rather than self-reliance.
-
Isaiah 30:31
For through Yahweh’s voice the Assyrian will be dismayed. He will strike him with his rod.
Here the word describes the Assyrian army’s internal collapse when faced with Yahweh’s voice, highlighting God’s power to dismantle human arrogance and fear.
-
I Samuel 17:11
When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
Saul and Israel are described as being dismayed by Goliath, illustrating how the sight of overwhelming opposition can trigger a paralyzing loss of confidence.
-
Isaiah 51:7
“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law. Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults.
The prophet urges those who know righteousness not to be dismayed by insults, linking inner stability to a heart that holds God's law.