What does חָתַר mean in the Bible?
חָתַר is a Hebrew word meaning "to force a passage , as by burglary; figuratively, with oars".
Hebrew · H2864
חָתַר
To force a passage , as by burglary; figuratively, with oars
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
חָתַרH2864
What does חָתַר mean in the Bible?
חָתַר is a Hebrew word meaning "to force a passage , as by burglary; figuratively, with oars".
Full entry for חָתַר (H2864) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2864?
The BSB source-word alignment has 8 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include dig (2), I dug (1), rowed hard (1), So I dug (1), they dig down (1).
Where does חָתַר appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Job 24:16. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezekiel (5), Amos (1), Job (1), Jonah (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itdig2×Ezekiel 8:8, Ezekiel 12:5
I dug1×Ezekiel 12:7
rowed hard1×Jonah 1:13
So I dug1×Ezekiel 8:8
they dig down1×Amos 9:2
they dig through1×Job 24:16
They will dig1×Ezekiel 12:12
Show sample aligned rows
Job 24:16חָתַ֥רtothey dig throughVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularEzekiel 8:8חֲתָר־todigVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularEzekiel 8:8וָאֶחְתֹּ֣רtoSo I dugConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singularEzekiel 12:5חֲתָר־todigVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularEzekiel 12:7חָתַֽרְתִּי־toI dugVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularEzekiel 12:12יַחְתְּר֖וּtoThey will digVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralAmos 9:2יַחְתְּר֣וּtothey dig downVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralJonah 1:13וַיַּחְתְּר֣וּtorowed hardConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJob 24:16
Aligned rows8
Books represented4
Job1Ezekiel5Amos1Jonah1
Source forms
חֲתָר־2xḥă·ṯār-Ezekiel 8:8, Ezekiel 12:5
וָאֶחְתֹּ֣ר1xwā·’eḥ·tōrEzekiel 8:8
וַיַּחְתְּר֣וּ1xway·yaḥ·tə·rūJonah 1:13
חָתַ֥ר1xḥā·ṯarJob 24:16
חָתַֽרְתִּי־1xḥā·ṯar·tî-Ezekiel 12:7
יַחְתְּר֖וּ1xyaḥ·tə·rūEzekiel 12:12
יַחְתְּר֣וּ1xyaḥ·tə·rūAmos 9:2
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular2xEzekiel 8:8, Ezekiel 12:5
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural2xEzekiel 12:12, Amos 9:2
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular1xEzekiel 8:8
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xJonah 1:13
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular1xEzekiel 12:7
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular1xJob 24:16
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to force a passage , as by burglary; figuratively, with oars
Source Gloss
to force a passage , as by burglary; figuratively, with oars
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to force a passage, as by burglary; figuratively, with oars BDB: dig Usage: dig (through), row.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms6
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense6×
ImperfectAmos 9:2 · Ezek 12:122×
Sequential imperfectEzek 8:8 · Ezek 12:52×
PerfectEzek 12:7 · Job 24:162×
Word Origins
חָתַר is a primitive root - no further derivation.