Lexical Summary chataph: To seize, snatch, take away Original Word: חָטַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance catch A primitive root; to clutch; hence, to seize as a prisoner -- catch. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to catch, seize NASB Translation catch (2), catches (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָטַף verb catch, seize (Arabic  ; compare Assyrian ta—‰îpu, oppression, DlPr 181; Late Hebrew חָטַף, Aramaic  seize, חֲטַף do hurriedly) — Qal Perfect וַחֲטַפְתֶּם consecutive Judges 21:21 literally, seize wives; Imperfect יַחֲטֹף עָנִי Psalm 10:9; Infinitive לַחֲטוֺף עָנִי Psalm 10:9 both figurative of oppressor catching the distressed; all followed by accusative Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Emphases חָטַף (ḥāṭap) paints the picture of a sudden, forceful act of laying hold—an aggressive “snatching” that allows no resistance or negotiation. The verb is always transitive: someone stronger overtakes someone weaker or more vulnerable. Unlike the more neutral “take” verbs of Hebrew narrative, ḥāṭap carries urgency and moral tension; its contexts highlight either calculated violence (Psalm 10:9) or desperate expedience (Judges 21:21). Canonical Occurrences and Literary Setting 1. Judges 21:21 portrays a crisis at the end of the Judges era. Benjamin’s remnant, sworn off normal inter-tribal marriage, is advised to “seize” dancing maidens from Shiloh. The act is pragmatic, yet it exposes the moral chaos that reigns when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). ḥāṭap therefore functions as a literary symptom of covenant disarray. Theological Threads • Abuse of Strength: In both passages the stronger party violates the weaker, underscoring God’s concern for the vulnerable and His condemnation of coercive power (Deuteronomy 10:18; Proverbs 22:22–23). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Advocacy for the Helpless: The vivid imagery of ḥāṭap challenges believers to refuse complacency toward human trafficking, exploitation, or any modern equivalents of forcible seizure. Faithful ministry includes both prayerful lament (Psalm 10 pattern) and tangible protection of the weak. Redemptive-Historical Perspective The unjust seizure in Judges anticipates Israel’s longing for righteous kingship, while the lament of Psalm 10 anticipates the Messianic King who judges the oppressor and shelters the afflicted. In the Gospels, Jesus refuses to advance His kingdom by ḥāṭap-style force (Matthew 26:53) and instead allows Himself to be “delivered over” so that He might “rescue us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:4). At His return He will reverse every unrighteous snatching, vindicating the meek and completing the Exodus-shaped pattern of redemptive deliverance. Summary חָטַף spotlights the collision between power and vulnerability. Whether exposing societal breakdown in Judges or energizing a psalm of protest, the verb magnifies God’s passion for justice and frames the church’s call to advocate, protect, and proclaim a gospel in which the only rightful “seizure” is Christ’s saving grip upon His people (John 10:28). Forms and Transliterations וַחֲטַפְתֶּ֥ם וחטפתם יַחְטֹ֥ף יחטף לַחֲט֣וֹף לחטוף la·ḥă·ṭō·wp̄ lachaTof laḥăṭōwp̄ vachatafTem wa·ḥă·ṭap̄·tem waḥăṭap̄tem yachTof yaḥ·ṭōp̄ yaḥṭōp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 21:21 HEB: מִן־ הַכְּרָמִ֔ים וַחֲטַפְתֶּ֥ם לָכֶ֛ם אִ֥ישׁ NAS: and each of you shall catch his wife KJV: of the vineyards, and catch you every man INT: out of the vineyards shall catch and each his wife Psalm 10:9 Psalm 10:9 3 Occurrences |
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