קָטֹן
𐤒𐤈𐤍
qâṭôn
H6994 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be small in size or stature; to be insignificant, unimportant, or of lesser status or number. Primarily denotes physical smallness, but often extends metaphorically to convey relative insignificance, unimportance, or youthfulness in social or communicative contexts.
Semantic Range
to become small, to be of little importance, to be diminished in status, to be few, to be young, to be of low rank or number
Root / Etymology
From the root קטן (qṭn), meaning 'small, little'. The verb form קָטֹן (qâṭôn) is a denominative verb drawn from the adjective קָטָן, shifting the sense from 'small' as a quality to 'becoming or being small' as an action or state.
Historical & Contextual Notes
קָטֹן occurs in the Hebrew Bible predominantly in poetic and didactic contexts, sometimes in parallel with גָּדוֹל ('great') to highlight contrast between smallness and greatness, whether in physical, social, or qualitative terms. The concept of smallness could refer to numbers (military or demographic), rank or influence (a younger sibling, a person of lower status), or value (insignificant/lesser). In narrative usage (e.g., 1 Samuel 15:17), it carries the sense of someone being of little account in a societal or self-evaluated perspective. During the monarchic and exilic periods, distinctions of societal rank, age, or importance are common nuances. English translations sometimes obscure the metaphorical scope, narrowing the sense to literal smallness when the context may suggest lack of prominence or authority. The noun/adjective קָטָן and the verb קָטֹן are closely related but should not be conflated; the verb focuses on process or state rather than inherent quality.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (rather denominative from קָטָן); to diminish, i.e. be (causatively, make) diminutive or (figuratively) of no account; be a (make) small (thing), be not worthy.
Bantu Hebrew
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קטן (q-ṭ-n) — smallness, littleness, insignificance
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6994-03 |
וַ/תִּקְטַן֩ | vatiqetan | HC/Vqw3fs |
and-it-was-small | and she became small | 2 |
H6994-01 |
לְ/הַקְטִ֤ין | lehaqetin | HR/Vhc |
making small | to make small | 1 |
H6994-02 |
קָטֹ֜נְתִּי | qatoneti | HVqp1cs |
I am unworthy | I have become small | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6994-02 |
Genesis 32:11 | קָטֹ֜נְתִּי | qatoneti | HVqp1cs |
I am unworthy | I have become small |
H6994-03 |
2 Samuel 7:19 | וַ/תִּקְטַן֩ | vatiqetan | HC/Vqw3fs |
and-you-made-small | and she became small |
H6994-01 |
Amos 8:5 | לְ/הַקְטִ֤ין | lehaqetin | HR/Vhc |
making small | to make small |
H6994-03 |
1 Chronicles 17:17 | וַ/תִּקְטַ֨ן | vatiqetan | HC/Vqw3fs |
and-it-was-small | and she became small |