תַּחֲנִי
𐤕𐤇𐤍𐤉
Tachani
H8470 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A member of the extended family, clan, or group descended from Tahan. The term identifies individuals or descendants belonging to a specific lineage within the tribal structure of Israel, specifically the 'Tahanites.' The word serves as a gentilic or collective, designating an affiliation by ancestry rather than geographic or occupational association. Its primary function in biblical texts is genealogical, denoting descent from Tahan, a named ancestor within the tribe of Ephraim.
Semantic Range
descendant(s) of Tahan, member(s) of the clan/family of Tahan, Tahanite(s)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root תַּחַן (Tahan), a personal name, with the gentilic suffix ִי (-î), indicating 'belonging to' or 'descendant of.' The root meaning of תַּחַן is uncertain and does not have an independent attested meaning apart from its use as a personal name. The formation תַּחֲנִי (-î) is a regular way to create gentilics or patronymics in Biblical Hebrew, indicating descent or association with an ancestor or progenitor.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the genealogical records of the Hebrew Bible, especially in Numbers 26:35 and 1 Chronicles 7:25, תַּחֲנִי (Tahanite/Tahanites) identifies a family group or clan within the tribe of Ephraim, tracing their lineage to an ancestor named Tahan. This usage reflects the importance of ancestral descent in Israelite society, particularly for purposes of inheritance, tribal organization, and identity. Modern English translations commonly render the term as 'Tahanite(s),' but such transliterations obscure the term's role as a designation of lineage rather than a unique ethnic or geographical group. The genealogical function of such terms becomes especially prominent in priestly and post-exilic lists, where careful distinctions between families and lineages were emphasized for social and religious reasons. There is no evidence for broader semantic usage beyond the genealogical context for this term in the Hebrew Bible. The word should not be confused with later ethnic or religious designations such as 'Jew' or 'Judean.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymically from תַּחַן; a Tachanite (collectively) or descendants of Tachan; Tahanites.
Bantu Hebrew
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תחן (t-ḥ-n) — personal name (Tahan), lineage membership, descent
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8470-01 |
הַֽ/תַּחֲנִֽי | hatachani | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Tahanites | the Tahanite | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8470-01 |
Numbers 26:35 | הַֽ/תַּחֲנִֽי | hatachani | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Tahanites | the Tahanite |