🔼The name Heth: Summary
- Meaning
- Terror, Dread
- Etymology
- From the verb חתת (hatat), to deplete of courage.
🔼The name Heth in the Bible
Heth is a son of Canaan, son of Ham, son of Noah (Genesis 10:5), and probably the ancestor of a group of Hittites (Genesis 15:20).
🔼Etymology of the name Heth
BDB Theological Dictionary declares etymology and meaning of the name Heth unknown, but for the slightly more creative reader, the name Heth looks like it comes from a root rich in meaning, namely חתת (hatat):
חתת
The verb חתת (hatat) means to deplete of strength, courage, willpower or any essential support, which results in a collapse of sorts. Nouns חת (hat), חתת (hatat), חתה (hitta), חתחת (hathat) and חתית (hittit) describe the various nuances of debilitating or paralyzing terror or fear. The identical adjective חת (hat) means shattered or dismayed. Noun מחתה (mehitta) means destruction, ruin or terror.
The verb חתה (hata) means to seize or snatch up, usually of fire or coals. Noun מחתה (mahta), meaning fire pan or censer.
🔼Heth meaning
From the above we deduct that the name Heth doesn't simply mean Terror, but much rather something like Depleter or Exhauster. In our day and age mister Heth would probably earn the nickname Leech.
For the meaning of the name Heth, NOBSE Study Bible Name List reads Terror. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Dread, Fear.