חָצַץ

From the study of Proverbs 30:27

Range of meaning

Basic sense: to divide, cut, split up. It is related to ḥēṣ ("arrow," something that splits) and ḥāṣāṣ ("gravel," broken stone). Job 21:21 uses a passive form for months that are "cut off." Judges 5:11 uses a related form (məḥaṣṣəṣîm) whose meaning is debated: "those who divide [the flocks or water]," "archers," or "singers." Here the participle describes how the swarm moves: "dividing," that is, in divisions or companies.

Against the English

KJV "by bands," WEB "in ranks," BSB "in formation" and most modern versions "in ranks" all follow the "divide" sense. YLT's "shouting" follows a minority view based on one way of reading Judges 5:11. For today's readers KJV's "bands" can sound like musical bands, though in 1611 it meant troops or companies.

How it drifted

The core sense has not drifted. The problems come from English ("bands") and from YLT's minority choice.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDB and HALOT both give Proverbs 30:27 as "divide," in the sense of going out in rank and file. The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation) paraphrases with "marches out… in good order," and the Vulgate (the Latin) with "per turmas suas," "by its squadrons." Both show early readers took it as orderly divisions.

From the study of Judges 5:11

Range of meaning

This exact form occurs nowhere else in the Bible. The root ḥ-ṣ-ṣ is linked to 'dividing, cutting' (Proverbs 30:27, locusts going out 'in divisions'; Job 21:21, months 'cut off'), to ḥēṣ 'arrow', and to ḥāṣāṣ 'gravel'. Proposed meanings: (1) archers, as a noun formed from 'arrow' (BDB lists this, with hesitation); (2) those who divide / distribute, meaning water, flocks or plunder at the wells (NASB-type renderings); (3) singers, musicians, shouters, followed by the Greek translators' 'those striking up [music]' and by many modern versions. Lexicons such as HALOT mark the word as uncertain.

Against the English

KJV and WEB have 'archers'. BSB and NIV have 'singers', ESV and NRSV 'musicians', YLT 'shouters', NASB 'those who divide flocks'. These versions are not quibbling over shades of meaning. They paint completely different scenes.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Septuagint renders the word with a term for striking up music. The Vulgate abandons the word and paraphrases the battle scene instead ('where the chariots were dashed together'). Archers at wells fit the picture of ambush and raiding at water sources found elsewhere (Genesis 26:15–21; Exodus 2:17; Judges 6:3–4).