Lexical Summary chetsen: Bosom, lap, fold Original Word: חֵצֶן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bosom From an unused root meaning to hold firmly; the bosom (as comprised between the arms) -- bosom. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition bosom (of a garment) NASB Translation bosom (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חֵ֫צֶן] noun masculine bosom of a garment (Arabic  , Ethiopic  also Syriac  bosom (=  *), see HoffmZMG 1878, 753 LagM ii. 361 ff.; BN 46 f.; on this word and following see BaNB 120; ZMG 1889, 183) — שֶׁלּאֹ מִלֵּא כַמּוֺ קוֺצֵר וְחִצְנוֺ מְעַמֵּר Psalm 129:7 (grass) with which a reaper filleth not his hand, nor a binder his bosom. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imageryחֵצֶן portrays the hollow of the body formed when the forearms are drawn toward the chest—“the arms” or “bosom.” In Psalm 129:7 it pictures the binder of sheaves trying to cradle grain, but finding nothing: “with which no reaper can fill his hands, nor binder of sheaves his arms.” The word therefore evokes the idea of an empty fold, an embrace that receives nothing. Agricultural Context in Ancient Israel Harvesting grain proceeded in two stages: 1. Reapers cut the stalks and laid them in loose piles. חֵצֶן is the moment between gathering and tying, when the worker’s arms form a temporary storehouse for the crop. An abundant harvest bulged against the chest; a failed crop left the bosom hollow. Psalm 129:7 leverages that everyday scene to depict complete barrenness for the enemies of Zion—their opposition ends not merely in reduced yield but in utter futility. Theological Implications of Harvest Imagery 1. Covenant Blessing and Curse Deuteronomy 28 contrasts “basket and kneading bowl” blessed (28:5) with fields blasted (28:38-40). Psalm 129 applies the covenant curse to those who “hate Zion” (129:5), underscoring the moral order: hostility to God’s people forfeits the harvest. 2. Divine Retribution as Reversal The wicked had sought to lay heavy furrows on Israel’s back (129:3). In poetic justice, the binder’s bosom is now as vacant as Israel’s back is freed (129:4). The image of the empty חֵצֶן therefore signals God’s active reversal of fortunes. 3. Eschatological Assurance Scripture frequently ties harvest to final judgment (Joel 3:13; Revelation 14:15-20). Psalm 129:7 anticipates that consummate day: every assault on God’s kingdom will yield an armful of chaff. Practical Ministry Reflections • Encouragement in Oppression. Believers who suffer for righteousness may pray Psalm 129 confident that injustice never escapes the Judge; the persecutor’s bosom remains empty. Connections with Other Biblical Themes – Bosom as Place of Security: Isaiah 40:11 depicts the Lord carrying lambs “in His bosom,” the opposite of the empty arms in Psalm 129:7. – Lapful Blessing: Luke 6:38 promises that a generous measure will be poured “into your lap,” echoing the full חֵצֶן granted to the righteous. – Vanity of Human Effort Apart from God: Ecclesiastes 2:11 parallels the empty bosom—“all was vanity and chasing after the wind.” Summary חֵצֶן, though occurring only once, richly contributes to biblical theology. It crystallizes the difference between those blessed by the Lord and those who oppose Him: one group carries sheaves rejoicing; the other returns with arms devoid of grain. In Christ, the faithful gain the harvest that never fades (John 4:36), while every adversary of the gospel ultimately experiences the barren חֵצֶן foretold in Psalm 129:7. Forms and Transliterations וְחִצְנ֥וֹ וחצנו vechitzNo wə·ḥiṣ·nōw wəḥiṣnōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 129:7 HEB: כַפּ֥וֹ קוֹצֵ֗ר וְחִצְנ֥וֹ מְעַמֵּֽר׃ NAS: Or the binder of sheaves his bosom; KJV: nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. INT: his hand the reaper his bosom the binder 1 Occurrence |
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