Hakkatan
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Topical Encyclopedia
Hakkatan is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. His name, Hakkatan, means "the small" or "the little one" in Hebrew, which may imply a sense of humility or insignificance in terms of social status or family size.

Biblical Reference:

Hakkatan is referenced in the Book of Ezra, which details the return of the Jewish exiles under the leadership of Ezra and other leaders. The specific mention of Hakkatan is found in Ezra 8:12:

"From the descendants of Azgad: Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men."

In this passage, Hakkatan is identified as the father of Johanan, who is one of the leaders of a group of returnees. The mention of Hakkatan in this genealogical context highlights the importance of family lineage and the role of families in the restoration of the Jewish community in Jerusalem.

Historical and Theological Context:

The return from Babylonian exile was a significant event in Jewish history, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land. The inclusion of Hakkatan's name in the genealogical records underscores the importance of each family and individual in the collective effort to rebuild the nation and reestablish religious practices.

Theologically, the mention of Hakkatan and his descendants reflects the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. Despite the exile, God preserved a remnant and orchestrated their return to the Promised Land. Each family, including that of Hakkatan, played a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Cultural Significance:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, names often carried significant meaning and were sometimes indicative of a person's character or destiny. The name Hakkatan, meaning "the small," may suggest a humble or modest background. However, the inclusion of his family in the list of returnees highlights the biblical principle that God often uses the humble and seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes.

Hakkatan's mention in the genealogical records serves as a reminder of the value of every individual in the community of faith. It emphasizes that each person, regardless of their social standing or perceived importance, has a role to play in the larger narrative of God's work among His people.

Conclusion:

While Hakkatan is a relatively obscure figure in the biblical narrative, his inclusion in the genealogical records of Ezra underscores the importance of family heritage and the collective effort of the Jewish people in the post-exilic period. His account is a testament to the enduring faithfulness of God to His covenant promises and the significance of each individual in the unfolding of His divine plan.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hakkatan

little

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Hakkatan

(young). Johanan son ,of Hakkatan, was the chief of the Bene-Azgad who returned from Babylon with Ezra. (Ezra 8:12)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HAKKATAN

hak'-a-tan (ha-qaTan, "the little one"): The father of Johanan, who returned with Ezra to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:12 = Akatan, APC 1Esdras 8:38).

Strong's Hebrew
6997. Qatan -- "the small," father of a postexilic Isr.
... "the small," father of a postexilic Isr. Transliteration: Qatan Phonetic Spelling:
(kaw-tawn') Short Definition: Hakkatan. ... NASB Word Usage Hakkatan (1). ...
/hebrew/6997.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Hakkatan (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia HAKKATAN. ...Hakkatan (1 Occurrence). Ezra 8:12 Of the sons
of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him one hundred ten males. ...
/h/hakkatan.htm - 6k

Hak'katan (1 Occurrence)
Hak'katan. Hakkatan, Hak'katan. Hakkerem . ... Ezra 8:12 And of the sons of Azgad,
Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him a hundred and ten males. (See RSV). ...
/h/hak'katan.htm - 6k

Joha'nan (25 Occurrences)
... See RSV). Ezra 8:12 And of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan;
and with him a hundred and ten males. (See RSV). Nehemiah ...
/j/joha'nan.htm - 13k

Akatan
... AKATAN. ak'-a-tan (Akatan; the King James Version, Acatan = Hakkatan; Ezra 8:12):
The father of Joannes who returned with Ezra to Jerusalem (1 Esdras 8:38). ...
/a/akatan.htm - 6k

Azgad (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Azgad (2 Occurrences). Ezra 8:12 Of the sons of Azgad,
Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him one hundred ten males. ...
/a/azgad.htm - 7k

Hakilah (3 Occurrences)

/h/hakilah.htm - 7k

Johanan (31 Occurrences)
... Ezra 8:12 Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him one
hundred ten males. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/j/johanan.htm - 21k

Males (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS). Ezra 8:12 Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan
the son of Hakkatan; and with him one hundred ten males. ...
/m/males.htm - 22k

Resources
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Concordance
Hakkatan (1 Occurrence)

Ezra 8:12
Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him one hundred ten males.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Hakkatan

Hakkatan: Father of Johanan

Related Terms

Hakkatan (1 Occurrence)

Hakkerem (2 Occurrences)

Hakilah
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