Lexical Summary chitson: Outer, external, outward Original Word: חִיצוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance outer, outward, utter, without From chayits; properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred) -- outer, outward, utter, without. see HEBREW chayits NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as chuts Definition outer, external NASB Translation outer (22), outside (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs חִיצוֺן adjective outer, external (opposed to מְּנִימִי) feminine חִיצוֺנָה (for חוֺצוֺן, by dissimilation, BaNB xxix PhilBAS ii. 2. 362 Ges§ 27. 3 R 6) — 1 2 Kings 16:18 מְבוֺא הִמֶלֶךְ הַחִיצוֺנָה the outer entry of the king (namely to the Temple), Ezekiel 44:1 the outer gate of the sanctuary, החצר החיצונךְ the outer court (of the Temple) Ezekiel 10:5; Ezekiel 40:17,20,31,34,37; Ezekiel 42:1,3,7,8,9,14; Ezekiel 44:19,1; Ezekiel 46:9,20,21, compare Esther 6:4 (of Ahasuerus'palace), 2 Chronicles 33:14 ׳חוֺמָה ח an outer wall (built by Manasseh for the עִיר דָּוִיד); הַחִיצוֺן absolute, in לַחִיצוֺן 1 Kings 6:29,30, בַּחִיצוֺן Ezekiel 41:17 (הַבַּיִת being understood) of the outer (part of the Temple), i.e. the Holy Place (compare מְּנִימִי, מְּנִימָה, of the Holy of holies). 2 figurative outward, external הַמְּלָאכָה הַחִיצוֺנָה Nehemiah 11:16; 1 Chronicles 26:29, of business not distinctively sacred, in which Levites were engaged (compare The Late Hebrew use of ׳ח to denote extra-canonical, as Sanh. 1 Chronicles 10:1 [Jost, 1 Chronicles 11:1 Surenh.] ספרים החיצונים). II. חוץ (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope חִיצוֹן denotes that which is “outer,” “outside,” or “external.” It functions adjectivally or substantivally to mark the boundary between inner sanctum and public space, or between central responsibility and peripheral duty. Twenty-five occurrences span historical narrative, administrative records, prophetic vision, and royal court scene, revealing a consistent concern for the ordered approach to the presence of God and the orderly conduct of His people. Solomon’s Temple: Beauty Reaching the Perimeter (1 Kings 6:29–30) While describing Solomon’s temple, Scripture twice states that ornamentation covered the walls and floors “within and without.” The same cherubim, palm trees, and blossoming flowers that filled the inner sanctuary adorned the חִיצוֹן surfaces. The holiness and beauty of the LORD were not to be confined to the most sacred chamber; they radiated outward so that everyone who approached perceived reflected glory. Even threshold areas were to bear witness to divine splendor. Royal Compromise at the Outer Entrance (2 Kings 16:18) King Ahaz, under Assyrian pressure, dismantled “the outer entrance for the king” of the house of the LORD and relocated it. By altering a חִיצוֹן feature, he signaled a shift in allegiance—from covenant fidelity to political expediency. The text warns that compromise often begins at the margins before it reaches the heart of worship. Levitical Oversight of External Affairs (1 Chronicles 26:29; Nehemiah 11:16) Certain Levites were entrusted with “the outward business of Israel” and “the outside duties of the house of God.” These tasks included judicial oversight, maintenance, and logistical support. Ministry, therefore, extends beyond liturgical acts to encompass every practical matter that secures the worship life of the community. Faithful service in the חִיצוֹן sphere upholds the integrity of the whole. Fortifying Jerusalem’s Perimeter (2 Chronicles 33:14) “Afterward he built an outer wall of the City of David… and he raised it to a very great height.” Manasseh’s repentance produced visible restoration at the city’s extremities. A strengthened חִיצוֹן wall testified that renewed hearts must also manifest in renewed structures guarding against future invasion. Protocol in the Persian Court (Esther 6:4) Haman waits “in the outer court of the king’s palace.” The scene relies on royal etiquette separating the חִיצוֹן court from inner chambers. God’s providence turns the very threshold at which human pride waits into the staging ground for divine reversal. Ezekiel’s Visionary Temple: Ordered Access (Ezekiel 40–46) The prophet repeatedly measures gates, chambers, and pavements of “the outer court.” The careful dimensions underscore that approach to the LORD proceeds stepwise—from חִיצוֹן court through inner court to the holy place. Each boundary protects holiness while inviting proper participation. Audible Glory Reaching the Perimeter (Ezekiel 10:5) “The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.” Divine glory is not muffled by architectural layers; it reverberates through the חִיצוֹן spaces, assuring worshipers that the living God is present and powerful. Spiritual Themes and Ministry Lessons 1. Holiness Graduated, Not Isolated Boundaries in worship do not conceal God; they train the heart. The progression from outer to inner courts models sanctification—a life increasingly oriented toward the Lord’s immediate presence (Hebrews 10:19–22). 2. Faithfulness in Peripheral Duties Levites handling “outward business” show that mundane responsibilities are integral to covenant life. Modern believers who steward facilities, finances, or administrative tasks stand in the same line of service. 3. Visible Repentance at the Margins Manasseh’s outer wall reminds us that genuine repentance bears structural fruit. Personal and communal safeguards erected after sin display humility and renewed allegiance. 4. Warnings Against Peripheral Compromise Ahaz altered the outer entrance to secure political favor; his action signals that erosion of devotion often begins in secondary matters—thresholds we deem inconsequential. 5. Approachable Glory In Ezekiel, the thunder of cherubic wings fills the outer court, assuring worshipers in the farthest precinct that they are not forgotten. God’s voice reaches even those on the margins, inviting all to draw nearer. Conclusion חִיצוֹן threads through Scripture as more than a spatial label; it captures the theological rhythm of approach—outsiders invited, insiders warned, holiness safeguarded, and glory proclaimed. Every “outer” reference ultimately serves the purpose articulated by the Psalmist: “Blessed are those You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts” (Psalm 65:4). Forms and Transliterations הַֽחִיצ֔וֹן הַֽחִיצ֔וֹנָה הַחִ֣יצֹנָ֔ה הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה הַחִ֣צוֹנָ֔ה הַחִֽיצֹנָה֙ הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֑ה הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֖ה הַחִֽיצוֹנָה֙ הַחִֽצוֹנָ֖ה הַחִיצֹנָ֑ה הַחִיצוֹנָ֔ה הַחִיצוֹנָ֜ה הַחִיצוֹנָה֮ הַחִצֹנָֽה׃ החיצון החיצונה החיצנה החצונה החצנה׃ וְלַחִיצֽוֹן׃ וּבַחִיצ֖וֹן ובחיצון ולחיצון׃ חִֽיצוֹנָ֣ה ׀ חיצונה chitzoNah ha·ḥi·ṣō·nāh ha·ḥî·ṣō·nāh ha·ḥi·ṣō·w·nāh ha·ḥî·ṣō·w·nāh ha·ḥî·ṣō·wn hachiTzon hachiTzonah haḥiṣōnāh haḥîṣōnāh haḥîṣōwn haḥiṣōwnāh haḥîṣōwnāh ḥî·ṣō·w·nāh ḥîṣōwnāh ū·ḇa·ḥî·ṣō·wn ūḇaḥîṣōwn uvachiTzon velachiTzon wə·la·ḥî·ṣō·wn wəlaḥîṣōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:29 HEB: צִצִּ֑ים מִלִּפְנִ֖ים וְלַחִיצֽוֹן׃ NAS: inner and outer [sanctuaries]. KJV: flowers, within and without. INT: flowers accept and outer 1 Kings 6:30 2 Kings 16:18 1 Chronicles 26:29 2 Chronicles 33:14 Nehemiah 11:16 Esther 6:4 Ezekiel 10:5 Ezekiel 40:17 Ezekiel 40:20 Ezekiel 40:31 Ezekiel 40:34 Ezekiel 40:37 Ezekiel 41:17 Ezekiel 42:1 Ezekiel 42:3 Ezekiel 42:7 Ezekiel 42:8 Ezekiel 42:9 Ezekiel 42:14 Ezekiel 44:1 Ezekiel 44:19 Ezekiel 44:19 Ezekiel 46:20 Ezekiel 46:21 25 Occurrences |
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sew together, Aramaic 
bind, compress, σφίγγειν, 
bandage: 
IV. encompass, 
wall, which is often compared, does not correspond phonetically).