Sin (Chata)
חָטָא (chata)
To miss the mark — falling short of God's standard and deviating from His intended path.
Chata is the primary Hebrew word for sin, meaning 'to miss the mark.' Like an archer whose arrow falls short of the target, sin is the failure to reach God's standard — any deviation from His character, will, and design for human life.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Key Verses
1 John 1:8
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H2398 — Sin (Chata) (חָטָא (chata))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where חָטָא (chata) appears.
Open Strong's H2398Etymology and Original Meaning
Chata literally means 'to miss' or 'to miss the mark.' Judges 20:16 uses it of skilled slingers who 'could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss (chata).' Applied to morality, sin is missing God's standard — falling short of His character and design. The metaphor is precise: the target exists (God's holiness), but the arrow (human behavior) fails to reach it.
The Universality of Sin
Scripture's verdict is comprehensive: 'All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). 'There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not' (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Sin is universal — not a problem afflicting some people but the condition of every person. No one hits the mark consistently; everyone falls short of God's glory.
Sin as Relational Offense
David's confession reveals sin's deepest dimension: 'Against thee, thee only, have I sinned' (Psalm 51:4). While sin harms others and self, it is fundamentally an offense against God. Sin is not just rule-breaking but relationship-breaking — a violation of trust, a rejection of love, and a turning away from the one relationship that defines all others.
The Remedy for Sin
If sin is missing the mark, the solution is not trying harder but receiving grace. 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9). Christ, who never missed the mark, bears the penalty for those who do. His righteousness is credited to those who trust Him — the mark is hit on their behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sin mean in the Bible?
Sin (chata) means 'to miss the mark' — falling short of God's standard. It describes any deviation from God's character, will, and design for human life. It is universal, relational, and fundamentally an offense against God.
Can sin be forgiven?
Yes. Through confession and faith in Christ, all sin is forgiven: 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us' (1 John 1:9). Christ bore the penalty, and His righteousness is credited to believers.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Sin (Chata)"?
Romans 3:23 — "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (KJV). It also appears in Psalm 51:4, 1 John 1:8.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Sin (Chata)" matter?
Chata literally means 'to miss' or 'to miss the mark.' Judges 20:16 uses it of skilled slingers who 'could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss (chata).' Applied to morality, sin is missing God's standard — falling short of His … English uses one word, "Sin (Chata)", where the Hebrew חָטָא (chata) carries the fuller sense: to miss the mark — falling short of god's standard and deviating from his intended path.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Sin (Chata) (חָטָא (chata))
To miss the mark — falling short of God's standard and deviating from His intended path.
Strong's H2398 — Sin (Chata)
חָטָא (chata) • To miss the mark — falling short of God's standard and deviating from His intended path.
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
Biblical Meaning of Teeth Falling Out in a Dream (KJV)
Loss of strength, spoken words, and unresolved fear.
Mark 2:17 Commentary
In-depth study • Jesus Calls Sinners
Where to go next
Studied the meaning of Sin (Chata)? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.
- Bible word meanings A–ZHebrew and Greek words explained in plain English.Continue
- Go deeper with word studiesStrong's numbers, usage and every KJV occurrence.Continue
- Bible questions answered from ScriptureStraight KJV answers to common questions.Continue
- Read the KJV Bible online freeFull text, chapter by chapter.Continue