פֵּן
𐤐𐤍
pên
H6434 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A point or place where lines, surfaces, or structures meet, typically forming an angle; used for the corner or angular projection of an object, such as a street, building, wall, or altar. Can designate both literal corners and more abstract turning points or borders.
Semantic Range
corner, angle, angular point, corner of a street, corner of a wall
Root / Etymology
Root: פני (p-n-h), meaning 'to turn, face, turn toward.' פֵּן (pên) is likely derived from this root, with the meaning developing from the sense of 'turning' or 'facing' into that of an angular point or place where two directions meet (i.e., a corner). However, in the form פֵּן specifically as a noun, the usage meaning 'corner' is rare. The predominant use of פֵּן in the Hebrew Bible is as a conjunction meaning 'lest'; as a noun meaning 'corner,' it is isolated and possibly archaic or regional. Some suggest the word in this nominal sense may derive from a variant or dialectical form, but most connect it to the root פני.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פֵּן as a noun is very rare in biblical Hebrew, appearing only a few times, such as in Zechariah 14:10, where it refers to the corner (angle) of a city or building. In most occurrences, פֵּן functions as a negative conjunction ('lest'), which is etymologically and semantically distinct despite the identical spelling. The occurrence as 'corner' is distinct from other terms for corner, such as פִּנָּה (pinnah), which is the more common word. The sense of 'corner' is architectural or topographical, denoting the physical point of turning or meeting in outer structures—streets, walls, or buildings. The English translation as 'corner' is accurate in the few instances this noun occurs, but the use is too limited to derive broader metaphorical meanings. There is no significant attested shift in meaning over time, and the noun sense seems archaic by the Second Temple period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to turn; an angle (of a street or wall); corner.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פנה (p-n-h) — to turn, face, change direction
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3312 | יְפֻנֶּה | He will be turned |
| H3942 | לִפְנַי | before me |
| H6435 | פֵּן | lest |
| H6437 | פָּנָה | in their turning |
| H6438 | פִּנָּה | structural corner |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6434-01 |
הַ/פִּנִּ֔ים | hapinim | HTd/Ncfpa |
of the corners | the corners | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6434-01 |
Zechariah 14:10 | הַ/פִּנִּ֔ים | hapinim | HTd/Ncfpa |
of the corners | the corners |