Sin
חַטָּאת (Chatta'at) / ἁμαρτία (Hamartia)
Missing God's mark; rebellion against His will
Sin in the Bible means 'missing the mark' of God's perfect standard. The Hebrew 'chatta'at' and Greek 'hamartia' convey the idea of falling short, straying from the path, or rebelling against God's design for human life.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Key Verses
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”Read in context
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G266 — Sin (חַטָּאת (Chatta'at) / ἁμαρτία (Hamartia))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where חַטָּאת (Chatta'at) / ἁμαρτία (Hamartia) appears.
Open Strong's G266The Nature of Sin
The most common Hebrew word for sin, 'chatta'at,' literally means 'to miss the mark' — like an archer whose arrow falls short of the target. The Greek 'hamartia' carries the same meaning. Sin is not merely breaking rules; it is falling short of God's glorious design for human life. Every sin reflects a departure from the goodness, beauty, and truth that God intended for His creation.
The Origin of Sin
Genesis 3 records the entrance of sin into human experience through Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Their act was not simply eating forbidden fruit but choosing autonomy over trust in God. This original sin introduced a fundamental fracture in humanity's relationship with God, with each other, and with creation itself. Paul teaches that 'by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin' (Romans 5:12).
The Consequences of Sin
Scripture presents sin's consequences as devastating and far-reaching: spiritual death (separation from God), physical death, broken relationships, guilt, shame, and ultimately eternal judgment. Sin is not a minor problem with easy solutions — it is the root cause of all human suffering and the reason the world is not as it should be. Understanding the gravity of sin is essential for appreciating the magnitude of God's salvation.
The Solution to Sin
The entire biblical narrative moves toward God's solution to the problem of sin: Jesus Christ. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus dealt with sin decisively and permanently. He paid its penalty, broke its power, and will one day remove its presence entirely. Believers are invited to confess their sins and receive complete forgiveness and cleansing through faith in Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the original meaning of the word sin?
The original meaning of sin in both Hebrew (chatta'at) and Greek (hamartia) is 'to miss the mark.' It conveys the idea of falling short of a target or standard — specifically, God's perfect standard of righteousness. Sin is any thought, word, or action that deviates from God's will.
What is the unforgivable sin?
Jesus spoke of the 'blasphemy against the Holy Ghost' as unforgivable (Matthew 12:31-32). Most theologians understand this as a persistent, deliberate rejection of the Holy Spirit's testimony about Christ — essentially, refusing to accept the salvation God offers. It is not a single mistake but a settled, hardened resistance to God's grace.
What does "Sin" mean in the Bible?
Missing God's mark; rebellion against His will. The underlying Hebrew word is חַטָּאת (Chatta'at) / ἁμαρτία (Hamartia) ("khat-TAHT / ha-mar-TEE-ah"), Strong's G266. Sin in the Bible means 'missing the mark' of God's perfect standard.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Sin"?
Romans 3:23 — "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (KJV). It also appears in Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Sin (חַטָּאָה (Chata'ah) / ἁμαρτία (Hamartia))
Missing the mark; falling short of God's standard of perfection
Strong's G266 — Sin
חַטָּאָה (Chata'ah) / ἁμαρτία (Hamartia) • Missing the mark; falling short of God's standard of perfection
Sin (Hamartia) (ἁμαρτία (hamartia))
Missing the mark — falling short of God's standard of righteousness.
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