Lexical Summary
chuts: Outside, street, open place, abroad
Original Word:חוּץ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:chuwts
Pronunciation:khoots
Phonetic Spelling:(khoots)
KJV: abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without
NASB:streets, outside, street, fields, outer, abroad, exterior
Word Origin:[(both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever]
1. (properly) separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
abroad, field, forth, highway, more, outside street, without
Or (shortened) chuts {khoots}; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors -- abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation
Definitionthe outside, a street
NASB Translationabroad (2), abroad* (1), exterior (1), fields (3), large (1), open (1), outdoors (1), outer (3), outside (35), outside to the outer (1), outside* (52), outward (1), street (13), streets (37), without* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, sometimes, especially in plural, specifically a street, never with suffix in singular, with locative , , plural , , with suffix etc.,
Isaiah 15:3 etc.; —
the outside, of a house, tent, city, camp, etc., often used, especially with prepositions, to express the adverb idea ofoutside, abroad (Aramaic synonym, except in sense , is ,
):
Deuteronomy 23:13 to go forth outside (that is, a camp),Deuteronomy 23:14 (as adverb accusative)outside, to bring forthoutside (a house or chamber)Judges 19:25;2 Samuel 13:18 compareNehemiah 13:8;Judges 12:9b fromoutside, fromabroad,2 Kings 4:3 fromoutside (opposed to2 Kings 4:2); as GenitiveLeviticus 18:9 one bornabroad (i.e. by another father or mother, of a half-sister: opposed to )Ezekiel 47:2 (twice in verse). With locative , after a verb of motionExodus 12:46 ,Proverbs 5:16; 2Chron 29:16, 33:15outside of the city,Numbers 35:4 from the wall of the cityand outwards; =on the outside, without1 Kings 6:6;Isaiah 33:7 crywithout, 2 Chronicles 24:8: soGenesis 15:5 and brought himoutside,Genesis 19:17;Genesis 24:29;Joshua 2:19 +,1 Kings 8:8 were not seentowards the outside,Deuteronomy 25:5 i.e. shall not be married into another family, compareJudges 12:9 a.
.:a.towards the outsideEzekiel 41:9,Ezekiel 34:21 pleonastic .b.Genesis 9:22outside (opposed toGenesis 9:21),Genesis 24:31 ,Deuteronomy 24:11;Exodus 21:19 (after leaving a sick couch),2 Kings 10:24;Psalm 31:12;Ezekiel 7:15 (opposed to ),Hosea 7:1 +.c.Psalm 41:7 ; =on the outsideEzekiel 41:17;Ezekiel 42:7, 2Chronicles 32:5towards the outside.d.on (
)the outsideEzekiel 40:19;Ezekiel 46:2, within andwithout (of an ark, building, etc.)Genesis 6:14;Exodus 25:11 =Exodus 37:2;1 Kings 7:9;Deuteronomy 32:25 (opposed to ),Lamentations 1:20 (compareEzekiel 7:15 aboveb); soEzekiel 41:25.on the outside of,Genesis 19:16 ,Genesis 24:11;Exodus 26:35;Exodus 37:7 (twice in verse);Leviticus 8:17;Leviticus 14:8;Numbers 35:5;Joshua 6:23;Jeremiah 21:4 +, even after a verb of motion1 Kings 21:13 ,2 Kings 23:6, though in this case is more common,Leviticus 4:12,21 ,Leviticus 6:4;Leviticus 10:4;Leviticus 14:40,41 + often P,Deuteronomy 23:11.e.Ezekiel 40:40on the outside,Ezekiel 40:44.f. (late)outside of,Ecclesiastes 2:25 who can eat, and who enjoy,outside of me, i.e.except me? (but read rather, with De Now and others,apart from, without him, i.e. God). (So Late Hebrewexcept, without, see DeEcclesiastes 2:25. compare The Aramaic synonymexceptExodus 20:3 ;apart from, withoutIsaiah 36:10 ; Syriac
id.)
, namely
, i.e.a streetIsaiah 51:23 ,Jeremiah 37:21 the Bakers'street,Proverbs 1:20 , ("" : soProverbs 7:12;Proverbs 22:13;Jeremiah 9:20); often in plural, as thestreets of Ashkelon2 Samuel 1:20,Jeremiah 5:1;Jeremiah 7:17,34 #NAME? Jeremiah;1 Kings 20:34 andstreets (i.e. bazaars) shalt thou make thee in D., as my father made in Samaria (a concession involving the right of trading),Amos 5:16;Isaiah 15:3;Isaiah 24:11 (as scene of mourning),Isaiah 5:25;Jeremiah 51:4;Ezekiel 11:6;Ezekiel 28:23 ( as filled with corpses of slain), i.e. in conspicuous places,Nahum 3:10;Lamentations 2:19;Lamentations 4:1;Isaiah 51:20, mire ofstreetsZechariah 10:5 (trampled on by warriors), in simile, of foes trodden under foot,Psalm 18:43;Micah 7:10 ( soIsaiah 10:6), metaphor of cheapness and abundanceZechariah 9:3.
more Generally, ,Job 18:17 (see De), compareProverbs 24:27; in the pluralJob 5:10 ,Proverbs 8:26;Psalm 144:13 (as place where flocks abound).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scopeחוּץ most often denotes the area beyond a defined enclosure—outside a house, outside the camp, outside the city wall, or in the open street or square. About one-third of its 164 occurrences are linked to the wilderness camp; another large block appears in wisdom and prophetic literature to describe city streets, public squares, or the place of exposure and danger that contrasts with the protection found “inside.”
Spatial Orientation in Israelite Life
Ancient dwellings were oriented around an inner courtyard. The moment one stepped “outside” (חוּץ), he left the sphere of household authority and entered communal or untamed space. This basic contrast underliesGenesis 15:5, where the Lord “took Abram outside and said, ‘Now look to the heavens…’ ”. Spatial vocabulary thus shapes narrative perspective, highlighting the difference between private and public, sacred and common, safe and vulnerable.
Ritual Purity and Sacrificial Rites
Levitical law repeatedly assigns חוּץ to the realm where sin and uncleanness are removed:
•Leviticus 4:12; 16:27 – the sin-offering carcass is burned “outside the camp.”
•Numbers 19:3 – the red heifer is slaughtered “outside the camp” as the archetype of cleansing.
•Leviticus 13:46 – the leprous person “must live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.”
This removal anticipatesHebrews 13:11-13, where the writer points to the Messiah suffering “outside the gate.” Old-covenant ritual thus becomes typological, preparing the way for the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ that cleanses those who will go to Him “outside” the realm of human prestige.
Judicial and Penal Actions
Capital punishment took place beyond the camp’s perimeter (Numbers 15:35-36;Deuteronomy 17:5). To be taken חוּץ was to be expelled from covenant protection and exposed to judgment—an image later echoed when Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem.
Public Life in the Streets and Squares
In settled towns חוּץ often means “street” or “square.” These verses portray daily activity, commerce, and civic discourse:
•Proverbs 1:20 – “Wisdom calls out in the street; she lifts her voice in the square.”
•Song of Solomon 3:2 – the bride searches “through the streets and the squares” for her beloved.
•Zechariah 8:4-5 – restored Jerusalem will have “boys and girls playing in its streets.”
Conversely, judgment silences and empties these places (Jeremiah 7:34;Isaiah 24:11).
Wisdom Literature: Moral Choices Displayed Outside
Proverbs contrasts the seductive voice that lurks “in the streets” (Proverbs 7:12) with the noble voice of Wisdom that stands in the same public venue (Proverbs 8:3). The street becomes the arena where moral allegiance is tested and displayed.
Prophetic Imagery of Devastation or Restoration
Prophets employ חוּץ to dramatize catastrophe:
•Jeremiah 9:21 – “Death has climbed in through our windows… cutting off the children from the streets.”
•Lamentations 2:19 – infants faint “in the streets.”
Restoration reverses the picture (Zechariah 8:5). Thus the fate of the streets mirrors the spiritual condition of the people.
Historical and Sociological Insights
Archaeology shows that Iron-Age Israelite towns had narrow lanes, open plazas at gates, and a clear boundary wall. Life “outside” the wall placed one among travelers, traders, and potential enemies. Military encampments likewise maintained a sanctified interior and an unclean exterior. Understanding this layout clarifies David’s lament over Abner—“Should Abner die as a fool dies? … Your hands were not bound… yet you fell as one falls before the sons of iniquity” (2 Samuel 3:33-34)—for the general was slain inside a gate chamber, not outside where warfare belonged.
Typological and Christological Significance
By locating defilement and judgment outside, Scripture prepares the theological groundwork for the Messiah’s atoning work outside Jerusalem’s walls. Believers are summoned to follow Him there, identifying with His reproach while proclaiming redemption to those still “outside” the household of faith (compareHebrews 13:13 withRevelation 22:15).
Ministry and Pastoral Applications
1. Holiness and Outreach: The church guards purity within but must carry the gospel to the streets (Acts 5:15) as Wisdom once cried out.
2. Compassion for the Marginalized: Lepers, the poor, and the unclean were pushed outside; Christ touched them, modeling compassionate engagement.
3. Discipleship under Reproach: Bearing Christ’s name may leave believers “outside the camp” of cultural approval; faithfulness requires readiness to endure.
Representative Passages
Genesis 15:5;Exodus 29:14;Exodus 33:7;Leviticus 13:46;Leviticus 16:27;Numbers 5:3;Numbers 15:35-36;Deuteronomy 24:11;Joshua 6:23;2 Kings 7:3;Nehemiah 8:16;Job 18:17;Psalm 144:14;Proverbs 1:20;Proverbs 22:13;Song of Solomon 3:2;Isaiah 15:3;Jeremiah 5:1;Lamentations 2:19;Ezekiel 42:9;Zechariah 8:4-5.
Key Themes Consolidated
• Separation of holy and common
• Removal of sin and impurity
• Public proclamation and moral choice
• Judgment that empties the streets
• Eschatological restoration of communal life
• Christ’s atoning work “outside” and the believer’s call to follow Him there
Forms and Transliterations
בְּח֣וּצוֹתֶ֔יהָ בְּחֻצ֨וֹת בְּחוּצ֣וֹת בְּחוּצֹ֣ת בְּחוּצֹתָ֖יו בְּחוּצוֹתֵֽינוּ׃ בְּחוּצוֹתֶֽיהָ׃ בַּ֭חוּץ בַּֽחוּצ֑וֹת בַּֽחוּצ֔וֹת בַּֽחוּצוֹת֙ בַּח֑וּץ בַּח֔וּץ בַּח֖וּץ בַּח֗וּץ בַּח֛וּץ בַּח֣וּץ בַּח֨וּץ ׀ בַּחֽוּץ׃ בַּחוּצ֑וֹת בַּחוּצ֣וֹת בַח֑וּץ בַחוּץ֙ בחוץ בחוץ׃ בחוצות בחוצותיה בחוצותיה׃ בחוצותינו׃ בחוצת בחוצתיו בחצות הַח֑וּץ הַח֑וּצָה הַח֔וּץ הַח֔וּצָה הַח֖וּץ הַח֖וּצָה הַח֗וּצָה הַח֛וּצָה הַחֽוּצָה׃ החוץ החוצה החוצה׃ וְ֠חוּצוֹת וְחוּצ֑וֹת וְכַח֖וּץ וְלַח֙וּצָה֙ וְלַח֜וּץ וָח֔וּצָה וּבְחֻצ֖וֹת וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת וּבְחֻצ֥וֹת וּמִח֑וּץ וּמִח֖וּץ וּמִחוּצָה֩ וּמֵֽחֻצוֹת֙ ובחצות וחוצה וחוצות וכחוץ ולחוץ ולחוצה ומחוץ ומחוצה ומחצות ח֑וּץ ח֑וּצָה ח֔וּץ ח֔וּצָה ח֥וּץ ח֥וּצָה חֻ֑צָה חֻצ֣וֹת חֽוּץ׃ חֽוּצָה׃ חֽוּצוֹתָ֑יִךְ חֽוּצוֹתָ֖ם חוּצ֑וֹת חוּצ֖וֹת חוּצ֣וֹת חוּצ֥וֹת חוּצֹתֶ֖יהָ חוּצֽוֹת׃ חוּצוֹת֙ חוץ חוץ׃ חוצה חוצה׃ חוצות חוצות׃ חוצותיך חוצותם חוצתיה חצה חצות לַח֣וּץ לַחוּץ֙ לחוץ מִח֔וּץ מִח֕וּץ מִח֖וּץ מִח֗וּץ מִח֗וּצָה מִח֣וּץ מִח֤וּץ מִח֥וּץ מִח֨וּץ מִחוּץ֙ מִחוּץ֩ מֵהַחֽוּץ׃ מהחוץ׃ מחוץ מחוצה ba·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ ba·ḥūṣ ḇa·ḥūṣ baChutz bachuTzot baḥūṣ ḇaḥūṣ baḥūṣōwṯ bə·ḥū·ṣō·ṯāw bə·ḥū·ṣō·w·ṯe·hā bə·ḥū·ṣō·w·ṯê·nū bə·ḥu·ṣō·wṯ bə·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ bə·ḥū·ṣōṯ bechuTzot bechutzoTav bechutzoTeiha bechutzoTeinu bəḥūṣōṯ bəḥūṣōṯāw bəḥuṣōwṯ bəḥūṣōwṯ bəḥūṣōwṯehā bəḥūṣōwṯênū Chutz Chutzah chuTzot chutzoTam chutzoTayich chutzoTeiha ha·ḥū·ṣāh ha·ḥūṣ haChutz haChutzah haḥūṣ haḥūṣāh ḥu·ṣāh ḥū·ṣāh ḥū·ṣō·ṯe·hā ḥū·ṣō·w·ṯā·yiḵ ḥū·ṣō·w·ṯām ḥu·ṣō·wṯ ḥū·ṣō·wṯ ḥūṣ ḥuṣāh ḥūṣāh ḥūṣōṯehā ḥuṣōwṯ ḥūṣōwṯ ḥūṣōwṯām ḥūṣōwṯāyiḵ la·ḥūṣ laChutz laḥūṣ mê·ha·ḥūṣ mehaChutz mêhaḥūṣ mi·ḥū·ṣāh mi·ḥūṣ miChutz miChutzah miḥūṣ miḥūṣāh ū·ḇə·ḥu·ṣō·wṯ ū·mê·ḥu·ṣō·wṯ ū·mi·ḥū·ṣāh ū·mi·ḥūṣ ūḇəḥuṣōwṯ umechutzOt ūmêḥuṣōwṯ umiChutz umichuTzah ūmiḥūṣ ūmiḥūṣāh uvechuTzot vaChutz vaChutzah vechaChutz Vechutzot velaChutz velaChutzah wā·ḥū·ṣāh wāḥūṣāh wə·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ wə·ḵa·ḥūṣ wə·la·ḥū·ṣāh wə·la·ḥūṣ wəḥūṣōwṯ wəḵaḥūṣ wəlaḥūṣ wəlaḥūṣāh
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