זְקֵנִ֔ים
𐤆𐤒𐤍𐤉𐤌
zâqên
were old
Primarily, an individual who is advanced in age; by extension, one recognized for seniority, experience, or social standing. In many contexts, refers specifically to men who are elders within a family, clan, or community, not merely by age but also by role and status. The term can denote both the physical state of old age and the dignified social position of an 'elder.'
Genesis 18:11 · Word #3
Lexicon H2205
| Lemma | זָקֵן |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤆𐤒𐤍 |
| Transliteration | zâqên |
| Strong's | H2205 |
| Definition | Primarily, an individual who is advanced in age; by extension, one recognized for seniority, experience, or social standing. In many contexts, refers specifically to men who are elders within a family, clan, or community, not merely by age but also by role and status. The term can denote both the physical state of old age and the dignified social position of an 'elder.' |
Morphology HAampa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | A — Adjective — Describes a noun |
| Subtype | a — Adjective — Adjective |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | p — Plural — Plural |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | were old |
SIBI-P1 Translation H2205-26
aged men
| Morphological Notes | Adjective, masculine plural, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The adjective from זקן describes those who have grown old. The masculine plural form requires a masculine plural rendering, hence "aged men," preserving both the physical sense of age and the personal reference. |
View full lexicon entry for H2205 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
elderly
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1 'aged men' is too restrictive; in context, the Hebrew indicates both Averaham and Sarah were elderly, not limited to men. 'Elderly' better matches the sense here. |