Lexical Summary chagga: terror Original Word: חָגָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance terror From an unused root meaning to revolve (compare chagag); properly, vertigo, i.e. (figuratively) fear -- terror. see HEBREW chagag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a reeling NASB Translation terror (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָגָּא noun [feminine] reeling (Aramaism for חגה Ew§ 173 b, by copyist's error Di) — וְהָֽיְתָהל֗֗֗מצרים ׳לח Isaiah 19:17 and the land of Judah shall become to Egypt a reeling, i.e. Egypt shall reel in terror at the sight of it ("" יִפְחָ֑ד; this meaning may either be from an original sense of חגג, or = be excited as at a חָג, compare חנג 3). Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Semantic Range חָגָא conveys a sudden, overwhelming dread that seizes an individual or nation. Unlike the steady, reverential “fear of the LORD” (יִרְאָה), this term accents panic terror produced by divine intervention. Biblical Occurrence The word appears once, in Isaiah 19:17. “And the land of Judah will bring terror to Egypt; whenever Judah is mentioned, Egypt will tremble over what the LORD of Hosts has planned against it” (Isaiah 19:17). Historical Setting Isaiah’s oracle (Isaiah 19:1–25) addresses Egypt in the late eighth century B.C. As Assyria expanded, alliances and counter-alliances rippled through the Near East. Many Judeans looked southward for protection (Isaiah 30:1–7), yet the prophet announced that the tables would turn: Egypt would quake at the mere mention of Judah because God Himself was strategizing on Judah’s behalf. חָגָא captures that shocking reversal—mighty Egypt reduced to trembling at the destiny of a comparatively small covenant people. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations חָגָא underscores that political power does not determine final outcomes; the LORD’s purpose does. Egypt’s dread is not psychological happenstance but a response “over what the LORD of Hosts has planned.” 2. Covenant Vindication The term highlights how God protects His covenant community. While Judah feared Egypt in earlier generations, the prophetic word pictures Egypt now fearing Judah—a miniature fulfillment of Genesis 12:3, where those who menace Abraham’s line are themselves cursed. 3. Eschatological Foretaste Isaiah’s broader vision ends with Egypt joining Assyria and Israel in worship (Isaiah 19:24–25). Terror becomes awe, then fellowship. חָגָא serves as the catalytic dread that drives Egypt toward eventual blessing, illustrating the redemptive arc of judgment leading to salvation. Ministry Significance • Preaching and Teaching The word encourages expositors to stress God’s ability to reverse worldly power structures. In contemporary application, believers facing cultural or political intimidation can recall that God can cause whole systems to tremble when He chooses. • Missions and Intercession Isaiah 19 depicts a journey from dread to worship among former enemies of Israel. Prayer for modern nations hostile to the gospel can be informed by this pattern: divine disruption (חָגָא) often precedes revival. • Pastoral Care For congregants overwhelmed by fear, the lone use of חָגָא reminds us that uncontrolled dread belongs to those set against God, not to His people (compare Hebrews 13:6). Counsel can center on the security of those whose covenant God governs world affairs. Related Hebrew Concepts • בֶּהָלָה (behālāh, panic) – emphasizes confusion By tracing חָגָא through its single but vivid appearance, Scripture reminds readers that God can sow terror among the mighty to protect and elevate His people, ultimately turning dread into worship and demonstrating His unchallenged rule over history. Forms and Transliterations לְחָגָּ֔א לחגא lə·ḥāg·gā lechagGa ləḥāggāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 19:17 HEB: יְהוּדָ֤ה לְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙ לְחָגָּ֔א כֹּל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר NAS: will become a terror to Egypt; KJV: of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, INT: of Judah to Egypt A terror everyone to whom 1 Occurrence |
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