חָתַן

The Hebrew verb *hatan* broadly signifies the act of establishing family ties through marriage. It encompasses both the giving of a daughter in marriage and the broader concept of becoming allied or related by this union. This term highlights the significant social and covenantal implications of marriage in ancient Israel, where such unions often served to forge alliances between families, tribes, or even nations. The act of giving a daughter was not merely a personal event but often involved strategic considerations for the families involved.

Beyond direct marriage, the word can also describe the resulting relationship, particularly with respect to in-laws. The participial forms of *hatan* are frequently used to denote specific familial relationships, such as "father-in-law" (*ḥōtēn*) and "son-in-law" (*ḥātān*).

Biblically, the concept of forming alliances through marriage is seen in both positive and negative contexts. While it could solidify relationships, as seen in the marriage of Moses to Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, it was also a source of tension when Israelites married foreign women, which often led to syncretism and idolatry. The command to not "make marriages" with the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 7:3) underscores the importance of maintaining distinct covenantal identity, free from the influence of other religious practices. Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter is another example with significant political, if ultimately negative, implications.