Lexical Summary chatay: Sin, sinful, sinner Original Word: חֲטִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sin (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to chata'; an offence -- sin. see HEBREW chata' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to chata Definition a sin NASB Translation sins (1). Topical Lexicon Term Overview חֲטִי (Strong’s Hebrew 2408) denotes moral failure before God—“sin” in its singular form, embracing both personal guilt and covenant breach. Though the root idea of “missing the mark” pervades Scripture, this specific form appears only once, making its single context especially instructive for biblical theology. Biblical Occurrence Daniel 4:27 records Daniel’s Spirit-inspired counsel to the Babylonian ruler: “Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king: Break away from your sins by righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity”. Here חֲטִי encapsulates the entirety of Nebuchadnezzar’s rebellion against the Most High—including pride, oppression, and idolatry. Historical Setting in Babylon Nebuchadnezzar reigned over an empire renowned for military conquest and monumental construction. Yet the God of Israel sovereignly humbled this monarch (Daniel 4:28-33) to demonstrate that “the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17). The king’s “sins” were not merely private offenses; they shaped imperial policy that exploited captives and glorified human achievement. Daniel’s use of חֲטִי thus indicts systemic unrighteousness while still calling the individual ruler to repentance. Call to Repentance and Social Righteousness Daniel links turning from חֲטִי with two positive commands: pursue “righteousness” and practice “mercy to the oppressed.” Genuine repentance entails both vertical reconciliation with God and horizontal justice toward neighbor. The prophet does not advocate empty ritual but a transformed life, echoing earlier calls: Daniel’s message therefore affirms the unified biblical ethic that righteousness before God demands practical compassion. Theology of Sin and Righteousness חֲטִי in Daniel 4:27 reinforces several theological truths: 1. Sin provokes divine judgment, regardless of status (Proverbs 14:34). Prophetic and Eschatological Echoes Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, warning, fall, and restoration prefigure the final humbling of global powers and the establishment of God’s everlasting kingdom (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15). The singular use of חֲטִי invites readers to see every human empire as accountable for its collective sin and every ruler as called to repentance before Christ’s ultimate reign. Ministerial and Practical Applications • Preaching: Daniel 4:27 supplies a model for confronting sin with courage and compassion, balancing warning with hope. Christological Perspective Where Nebuchadnezzar failed, Jesus Christ embodies perfect righteousness. He “committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22) yet bore humanity’s חֲטִי on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21), offering forgiveness that empowers believers to “break away” from sin (Romans 6:18). Daniel’s narrative thus anticipates the gospel, in which divine mercy triumphs over judgment for all who repent and believe. Forms and Transliterations וַחֲטָאָךְ֙ וחטאך vachataoCh wa·ḥă·ṭā·’āḵ waḥăṭā’āḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:27 HEB: [וַחֲטָיָךְ כ] (וַחֲטָאָךְ֙ ק) בְּצִדְקָ֣ה NAS: to you: break away now from your sins by [doing] righteousness KJV: and break off thy sins by righteousness, INT: be pleasing and sin by righteousness break 1 Occurrence |
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