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תִּיכוֹן

𐤕𐤉𐤊𐤅𐤍

tîykôwn

H8484 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

A substantive or adjective referring to the central, middle, or innermost part of an object, structure, or space. It primarily denotes the point, area, or section equidistant from the boundaries—such as the innermost sanctuary of a temple, the middle portion of a room, or the central axis. The term may be used both of physical locations and occasionally in conceptual senses to denote centrality or median position.

Semantic Range

central, situated in the middle, innermost (chamber, part), midpoint, among (in spatial context)

Root / Etymology

From the root תָּוֶךְ (tavek), meaning 'midst, middle, the interior part.' תִּיכוֹן is a derived form (likely adjectival or substantival), indicating that which is situated in or pertaining to the middle or center. Root: תוּךְ conveys the sense of being inside or in the midst.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, תִּיכוֹן occurs rarely, although its root is frequent (תָּוֶךְ, 'midst, interior'). Notably, it appears in descriptions such as the 'innermost room' (e.g., Ezekiel’s description of the temple structure, Ezek 41:7, 41:23), where it refers specifically to the central chamber or core space. The term reflects concrete spatial orientation rather than abstract or metaphorical uses. English versions often translate as 'middle' or 'central,' which aligns with the literal usage, though the nuance of 'innermost' (especially in sanctuary contexts) may be missed. The word is not associated with post-biblical terminologies and retains its spatial, architectural sense. Its occurrence is limited to priestly and architectural contexts during the later monarchic and exilic periods, with no significant semantic shift through biblical history.

Translation Consistency

primary "middle" 8 occurrences

‘Middle’ is the simplest, most natural English word covering the primary sense of תִּיכוֹן — central, midpoint, or innermost part — and works well both adjectivally and substantively. It is also the most frequent rendering in the existing P2 occurrences, so it ensures consistent, idiomatic translation across contexts.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"central one" (2x) "central part" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or תִּיכֹן; from תָּוֶךְ; central; middle(-most), midst.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

תוּךְ (tîykôwn) — to be in the middle, to be within, to be in the midst

Root תוּךְ to be in the middle, to be within, to be in the midst

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8484-02 הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה hatikhonah HTd/Aafsa the middle the central one the middle one 5
H8484-01 הַ/תִּיכֹ֖ן hatikhon HTd/Aamsa the middle one the central one the central one 2
H8484-04 וּ/מֵ/הַ/תִּֽכֹנ֖וֹת umehatikhonot HC/R/Td/Aafpa and than the middle the middle parts and from the middle ones 2
H8484-03 לַ/תִּיכוֹנָֽה latikhonah HRd/Aafsa by the middle to the central part to the central part 1
H8484-05 וְ/הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָה֙ vehatikhonah HC/Td/Aafsa and the middle the central (feminine) and the middle 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8484-01 Exodus 26:28 הַ/תִּיכֹ֖ן hatikhon HTd/Aamsa the middle one the central one the central one
H8484-01 Exodus 36:33 הַ/תִּיכֹ֑ן hatikhon HTd/Aamsa the middle one the central one the central one
H8484-02 Judges 7:19 הַ/תִּֽיכוֹנָ֔ה hatikhonah HTd/Aafsa the-middle the central one the middle one
H8484-05 1 Kings 6:6 וְ/הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָה֙ vehatikhonah HC/Td/Aafsa and the middle the central (feminine) and the middle
H8484-02 1 Kings 6:8 הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה hatikhonah HTd/Aafsa the middle the central one the middle one
H8484-02 1 Kings 6:8 הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה hatikhonah-2 HTd/Aafsa the middle the central one the middle one
H8484-02 1 Kings 6:8 הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָ֖ה hatikhonah-3 HTd/Aafsa the middle the central one the middle one
H8484-02 2 Kings 20:4 הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָ֑ה hatikhonah HTd/Aafsa middle the central one the middle one
H8484-03 Ezekiel 41:7 לַ/תִּיכוֹנָֽה latikhonah HRd/Aafsa by the middle to the central part to the central part
H8484-04 Ezekiel 42:5 וּ/מֵ/הַ/תִּֽכֹנ֖וֹת umehatikhonot HC/R/Td/Aafpa and-than-the-middle the middle parts and from the middle ones
H8484-04 Ezekiel 42:6 וּ/מֵ/הַ/תִּֽיכֹנ֖וֹת umehatikhonot HC/R/Td/Aafpa and than the middle the middle parts and from the middle ones
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