Original Word: חָעָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chatsah
Pronunciation: khaw-tsaw'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-tsaw')
KJV: divide, X live out half, reach to the midst, participle
NASB: divided, divide, live out half, parceled, reaches, separated
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to cut or split in two
2. to halve

divide, live out half, reach to the midst, participle

A primitive root (compare zed)); to cut or split in two; to halve -- divide, X live out half, reach to the midst, participle

see HEBREW zed

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to divide
NASB Translation
divide (4), divided (7), live out half (1), parceled (1), reaches (1), separated (1).

חָצָה verb divide (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic is be fortunate, happy with one's husband or wife, etc., i.e. have a share in happiness; a small arrow; Di¹³⁴ puts here Ethiopic arrow, compare חֵצִי) —

Qal Perfect חָצָה Numbers 31:42; וְחָצִיתָ consecutive Numbers 31:27; וְחָצוּ consecutive Exodus 21:35; Imperfect יֶחֱצֶה Isaiah 30:28; וַיַּ֫חַץ Genesis 32:8 2t.; וַיֶּחֱצֵם Judges 9:43; יֶחֱצוּ Psalm 55:24; יֶחֱצוּן Exodus 21:35; יֶחֱצוּהוּ Job 40:30; —

1 divide, followed by כסף Exodus 21:35; שׁור Exodus 21:35 (both J E), לִוְיָתָן crocodile Job 40:30; prey, מלקוח, Numbers 31:27 (P; with לְ before parts); a company of people Genesis 32:8 (followed by לְ as foregoing), Genesis 33:1 (both J) Judges 9:43 (לְ as foregoing) but compare Judges 7:16.

2 (apparently denominative from חֲצִי) Psalm 55:24 ימיהם ׳לא יח shall not halve their days, i.e. enjoy even half of the normal number; Isaiah 30:28 עד ׳צואר יח shall halve unto the neck = shall reach to the neck and so divide the man in half.

Niph`al Imperfect3feminine singular with apocope תֵּחָץ Daniel 11:4 be divided (of kingdom), followed by לְ; ולא יֵחָ֫צוּ עוד לשׁני גוים Ezekiel 37:22 (Judah and Israel); waters of Jordan 2 Kings 2:8,14.

Semantic Focus

The verb denotes the deliberate act of dividing something previously whole. Whether splitting a family caravan, apportioning spoil, or miraculously parting water, the action always rests on an intentional choice that establishes distinct parts while implying a governing mind behind the separation.

Strategic Division in the Patriarchal Narratives

In Genesis 32:7 Jacob, facing potential violence from Esau, “divided the people with him into two companies.” The same strategy appears at the actual reunion (Genesis 33:1). Division here is an act of prudence under pressure; it tests faith yet also protects the covenant line. By structuring his household into manageable segments, Jacob models responsible leadership in crisis.

Judicial and Economic Distribution in the Torah

Exodus 21:35 applies the verb to case law: the live ox and the dead ox are “sold, and the money divided equally.” The statute guards against personal loss escalating into blood‐feud. Similarly, Numbers 31:27, 42 use the verb for Moses’ allocation of Midianite plunder between warriors and congregation, grounding communal equity in divine command. Just distribution of resources flows from recognizing God as ultimate Owner.

Tactical Deployment in Judges

Gideon’s three hundred are “divided into three companies” (Judges 7:16), underscoring that small numbers, wisely arranged, prevail when God directs. In Judges 9:43 Abimelech “divided his men into three companies” for ambush, revealing the same military tactic employed for righteous and unrighteous ends. Scripture thus warns that the mere act of strategic division is morally neutral; its righteousness depends on the heart and purpose of the leader.

Miraculous Cleaving of the Jordan

Elijah “took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water, and it was divided” (2 Kings 2:8). Elisha repeats the sign in verse 14. The splitting of the river confirms prophetic succession and shows that nature itself yields to the word of God. Division here is not merely practical but revelatory, unveiling the Lord’s sovereignty over creation and history.

Poetic and Prophetic Images of Judgment

Psalm 55:23 foresees God causing the wicked to “go down to the Pit of destruction.” The psalmist uses division imagery to portray irreversible separation from the covenant community. Isaiah 30:28 depicts the LORD with “a bridle that leads them astray,” cutting nations off for rebellion. Daniel 11:4 announces that Alexander’s empire “will be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven.” Ezekiel 37:22, by contrast, promises reunification: “I will make them one nation.” The same verb that describes fragmentation is countered by divine reunion, proving the Lord alone has authority to sever and to heal.

Commercial and Nautical Contexts

Job 41:6 pictures traders seeking to “divide him up” (Leviathan) for merchandise, highlighting both the monstrous power of the creature and human covetousness. The unreachable prey mocks mankind’s attempt to carve up creation for profit; only God can control Leviathan.

Theological Trajectory

1. Sovereignty: God controls every division—physical, geopolitical, covenantal.
2. Stewardship: People are responsible to divide resources justly.
3. Protection: Wise partition can shield the vulnerable, as with Jacob’s family.
4. Judgment and Mercy: The same hand that scatters also gathers (Ezekiel 37:22), foreshadowing the gospel’s power to “make the two one” (Ephesians 2:14–16).

Ministry Implications

• Discern when dividing a task or group fosters stewardship and safety.
• Guard against divisive attitudes that fracture fellowship; remember God’s goal is ultimately unity in truth.
• Proclaim God’s authority over nations: boundaries rise or fall at His command.
• Use resources in equitable ways that reflect the Numbers 31 paradigm of fair distribution.

Christological Echoes

At the cross soldiers “divided His garments” (John 19:23), an ironic fulfillment showing that even sinful partition serves redemptive purposes. Through His broken body, Christ unites both Jew and Gentile, reversing humanity’s self‐inflicted fragmentation.

Summary

From patriarchs to prophets, law courts to battlefields, the verb paints a tapestry of division under divine oversight. Whether safeguarding a family, allocating justice, or parting a river, every “dividing” act points back to the Lord who alone apportions, judges, and ultimately unites all things in Himself.

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