זֹקֶן
𐤆𐤒𐤍
zôqen
H2207 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or quality of advanced age; the condition of being old. Refers primarily to old age as a stage of life, indicating seniority, maturity, and (in certain contexts) the accompanying dignity or authority associated with the elderly. In some instances, can refer to an aged person (collective), or the concept of elders as a societal group distinguished by their age.
Semantic Range
old age, advanced age, seniority, state of being elderly, advanced years; sometimes collective of those who are old
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root זקן (z-q-n), which primarily means 'to be old' or 'to grow old.' The noun זֹקֶן (zôqen) is an abstract form from the same root, denoting the state or quality derived from the process of aging.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In most biblical passages, זֹקֶן refers not to a discrete number of years but to the social state or status that comes with advanced age, often in contrast to youth. It frequently implies respect, experience, and social authority, distinguishing those who have passed into the stage of life eligible for status as 'elders' (distinct from the related term זָקֵן, which serves as both adjective 'old' and substantive 'elder, old man'). In the patriarchal and monarchic periods, זֹקֶן typically correlates with seniority that justified participation in communal decision-making or leadership. In post-exilic texts and later usage, it continued to signal both the respect and expected wisdom accorded to those of advanced age. English translations often render זֹקֶן as 'old age,' but this can obscure its full connotation of social standing and the interrelation with the role of elders (זְקֵנִים, zᵉqēnîm) in Israelite society.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from זָקֵן; old age; age.
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, advanced age
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2204 | זָקֵן | and he grew old |
| H2205 | זָקֵן | in the elder |
| H2206 | זָקָן | in the beard of |
| H2208 | זָקֻן | to his old-age years |
| H2209 | זִקְנָה | old age |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2207-01 |
מִ/זֹּ֔קֶן | mizoqen | HR/Ncmsa |
from age | from old age | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2207-01 |
Genesis 48:10 | מִ/זֹּ֔קֶן | mizoqen | HR/Ncmsa |
from age | from old age |