זָקֵן

𐤆𐤒𐤍

zâqên

H2205 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root זקן to be old, to grow old, to become aged

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.'

Semantic Range

old, aged (person); elder (as respected or authoritative adult male in a community); senior leader, member of a ruling council; one advanced in age (without formal office); ancient (of people)

Root / Etymology

From the root ז-ק-ן, which at the root level means 'to be old' or 'to grow old.' The term זָקֵן derives from this root, and as a noun and adjective, refers to an old person or elder. Although originally descriptive of age, the noun evolved to denote a recognized figure of authority or advisor in the community.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, זָקֵן is frequently used for men who serve as leaders or authorities in the Israelite community, often functioning as council members, judges, or heads of clans ('elders'). In patriarchal and monarchic periods, 'elders' held real power in governance, legal matters, and decision-making. The term is less commonly applied to women. In some contexts, it simply denotes advanced age without connotations of office or status. In later periods, the role of elders shifted to more defined judicial or communal positions, eventually influencing the formation of organized bodies like the Sanhedrin. English translations as 'elder,' 'old man,' or 'senator' often miss the social and communal authority inherent in the term during much of the biblical period. The transition from physical age to communal leadership is parallel to but distinct from other Hebrew terms indicating nobility or officials.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from זָקֵן; old; aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זקן (z-q-n) — to be old, to grow old, to become aged

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2204 זָקֵן and he grew old
H2206 זָקָן in the beard of
H2207 זֹקֶן from old age
H2208 זָקֻן to his old-age years
H2209 זִקְנָה old age

Word Forms

30 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2205-28 זִקְנֵ֣י ziqeney HAampc elders elders of 62
H2205-03 הַ/זְּקֵנִ֤ים hazeqenim HTd/Aampa the elders the aged men 21
H2205-21 זָקֵ֑ן zaqen HAamsa old he grew old 20
H2205-26 זְקֵנִ֔ים zeqenim HAampa elders aged men 12
H2205-09 מִ/זִּקְנֵ֣י miziqeney HR/Aampc of the elders from elders of 10
H2205-19 וְ/זִקְנֵ֨י veziqeney HC/Aampc and the elders of and elder-men of 8
H2205-02 הַ/זָּקֵ֖ן hazaqen HTd/Aamsa the old man the aged man 6
H2205-17 וְ/הַ/זְּקֵנִ֖ים vehazeqenim HC/Td/Aampa and the elders and the elder men 5
H2205-15 וּ/זְקֵנִ֖ים uzeqenim HC/Aampa and elders and aged men 4
H2205-06 לְ/זִקְנֵ֣י leziqeney HR/Aampc to the elders to aged-elders of 4

Occurrences in Scripture

179 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2205-26 Genesis 18:11 זְקֵנִ֔ים zeqenim HAampa were old aged men
H2205-21 Genesis 19:4 זָקֵ֑ן zaqen HAamsa old man he grew old
H2205-22 Genesis 24:2 זְקַ֣ן zeqan HAamsc oldest elder of
H2205-21 Genesis 25:8 זָקֵ֣ן zaqen HAamsa an old man he grew old
H2205-21 Genesis 35:29 זָקֵ֖ן zaqen HAamsa old he grew old
H2205-02 Genesis 43:27 הַ/זָּקֵ֖ן hazaqen HTd/Aamsa the old man the aged man
H2205-21 Genesis 44:20 זָקֵ֔ן zaqen HAamsa an old man he grew old
H2205-28 Genesis 50:7 זִקְנֵ֣י ziqeney HAampc elders elders of
H2205-28 Genesis 50:7 זִקְנֵ֥י ziqeney-2 HAampc elders elders of
H2205-28 Exodus 3:16 זִקְנֵ֣י ziqeney HAampc the elders of elders of