The term châthak in Daniel 9:24

VIEW:410 DATA:2020-03-20

Châthak, comes from Aramaic, with the root for the term cut, separate ^2.3 .  • [ חָתַךְ S 2852 TWOT 778 GK 3155 ] vb. divide, determine ( ^NH id. , cut, take out, decide , so Aramaico חתך Pa. Ethpa. ) —only Niph. Pf. שָֽׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים נֶחְתַּךְ עַל־עַמְּךָ .

This term is only found in the Bible in the verse of Daniel 9:24, it is a term related to an Aramaic description. Defining that one thing was determined for someone to be separated from something else. For example if I have a granary that has 50 bags of wheat there, then when I decide that 20 bags will go to one person I use the term châthak, to define that the 20 separate bags of the saddlery will go to one person. So the term cut is linked to determining that the bags will be separated from the barn for one person.

So the term determine is linked to the concept of separating from somewhere that has other products or materials. So the term has two connections, one that separates from something, and another that determines for whom or where that thing is separated.

So in reading Daniel 9:24 ¹ we have that the Seventy weeks are decreed, or determined for the people of Daniel, but that such determination is separate from something. We are talking about time, so the seventy weeks are separated by decree from another time factor. In this case the longest determined time is described in Daniel 8:14 "This will all take two thousand three hundred afternoons and mornings" ⁴ , so the decree is related to the full time of 2300 afternoons and mornings.

Châthak, is an Aramaic term for common decrees for the separation of products from specific places, which facilitates writing for the Persian kingdom, as long as it is a term it defines that this is a decree and determines where to take the decreed product.

When we look for a Greek term in the septuagint we find the term " sunetmhyhsan " ⁵ , when we look at the term it comes from the union of two other terms, which are " σύν " ⁷ (joined), and " τομώτερος " ⁸ , (cut, separate) . The term refers to the existence of such a block is separate. Such a word can be found in Romans 9:28, ⁹ . When we read verse 27 we have "Although the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remainder will be saved." ¹⁰. When we literally read verse 28 we have "in this way He will end, and He will separate in righteousness, because in this way He will separate, He will do this on earth." Thus verse 28 uses the term to define the separation between the Israelites that even though it is like sea sand it will separate (συντέμνω) the remainder.

So the term in Daniel 9:24 is talking about a time separate from 2300 afternoons and mornings.

1. Version: English: New International Version
   Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to end transgression, [31] end sin, atone for guilt, bring eternal justice, fulfill the vision and prophecy, and anoint the most holy [32].
2. H2852
   חתך
   châthak
   khaw-thak '
   A primitive root; properly to cut off, that is, (figuratively) to decree: - determine.
3. • [ חָתַךְ S 2852 TWOT 778 GK 3155 ] vb. divide, determine ( ^NH id. , cut, cut off, decide , so Aramaic חתך Pa. Ethpa. ) —only Niph. Pf. שָֽׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים נֶחְתַּךְ עַל־עַמְּךָ Dan 9:24 seventy weeks are determined upon thy people.
4.  Version: English: João Ferreira de Almeida Revised and Updated
   Daniel 8:14 He said to me: Up to two thousand three hundred afternoons and mornings; and the sanctuary will be purified. Translate to originals
   Version: Portuguese: New International Version
   Daniel 8:14 He said to me: “It will all take two thousand three hundred afternoons and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated [25] ”.
5. 24 (AV) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
   Mysdq sdq xsm: l: w aybn: w Nwzx Mtx: l: w Mymle qdu aybh: l: w Nwe rpk: l: w twajx Mtx: l: w esp: h alk: l K: sdq rye-le: w K : me-le Ktxn Myebs Myebs
   24 (BHM) 24 (LXX) ebdomhkonta ebdomadev sunetmhyhsan epi ton laon am kai epi thn polin thn agian sou tou suntelesyhnai amartian kai tou sfragisai amartiav kai apaleiqai tav anomiayaiai kai touilas agai tou sfragisai orasin kai profhthn kai tou crisai agion agiwn
6. G4932
   συντέμνω
   suntemnō
   soon-tem'-no
   From G4862 and the base of G5114; to contract by cutting, that is, (figuratively) do concisely (speedily): - (cut) short.
7. G4862
   σύν
   sun
   soon
   A primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc .: - beside, with. In compounds it has similar applications, including completeness.
8. G5114
   τομώτερος
   tomōteros
   tom-o'-ter-os
   Compound of a derivative of the primary word τέμνω temnō (to cut; more comprehensive or decisive than G2875, as if by a single stroke; whereas that implies repeated blows, like hacking); more keen: - sharper.
9. Rom 9:27 And Isaiah doth cry concerning Israel, `If the number of the sounds of Israel may be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved;
   Rom 9:28 for a matter He is finishing, and is cutting short in righteousness, because a matter cut short will the Lord do upon the land.
10.  Version: English: New International Version
    Romans 9:27 exclaims regarding Israel: Although the number of Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remainder will be saved.