זָקֵן
𐤆𐤒𐤍
zâqên
H2205 adjective
SILEX Entry
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot 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 |