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תָּכַן

𐤕𐤊𐤍

tâkan

H8505 verb

SILEX Entry

Root תכן to weigh, to measure, to set in order, to estimate, to balance

Definition

To weigh, measure, or apportion, especially with reference to setting in order, estimating, or evaluating something; to arrange or direct in the sense of setting a standard or balancing; in figurative contexts, to consider or ponder thoughtfully, to deliberate with emotional or mental ‘weight’. The word appears in contexts relating both to literal weighing (by scale) and to figurative evaluation or assessing what is right or appropriate.

Semantic Range

to weigh, to measure by weight or dimension, to estimate, to value, to arrange, to direct, to set in order, to ponder, to consider, to balance, to equalize

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: The word derives from the Hebrew root תכן, which fundamentally refers to weighing, balancing, or measuring. As a verb, תָּכַן directly expresses the action of measuring, weighing, or apportioning, and by extension, it is linked with evaluation and setting things in order. The root meaning is more concrete than some metaphorical senses in usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historical & Contextual Notes: תָּכַן appears in poetic and wisdom literature, often with connotations of assessing value or ‘weighing’ not merely in physical but also in moral or intellectual terms (e.g., Proverbs, 1 Samuel). In some prophetic passages and in Psalms, it can have the sense of God establishing or ‘balancing’ the heart or ways of persons, reflecting broader ancient Near Eastern metaphor of the deity as judge or measurer of deeds. Literal senses, such as counterbalancing or weighing with scales, are attested but less common than figurative usages. English translations often oscillate between ‘weigh’, ‘measure’, ‘ponder’, and ‘consider’, sometimes narrowing or broadening the semantic scope according to context. Notably different from שָׁקַל (to weigh/pay) in that תָּכַן leans more toward evaluation, arrangement, or non-monetary weighing. Over postbiblical and rabbinic periods, the word's root continued in use with senses of estimation and arranging. The semantic field is not tied to ritual practice, but rather to the broader concept of evaluation or judgment.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to balance, i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively, arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling (ment. estimate, test); bear up, direct, be (un-)equal, mete, ponder, tell, weigh.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תכן (t-k-n) — to weigh, to measure, to set in order, to estimate, to balance

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4971 מַתְכֹנֶת by her prescribed measure
H8498 תְּכוּנָה to the established arrangement
H8506 תֹּכֶן measured quantity
H8507 תֹּכֶן and Measurement-place
H8508 תׇּכְנִית measured pattern

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8505-07 יִתָּכֵ֖ן yitakhen HVNi3ms is right he will be weighed 7
H8505-04 תִּכֵּ֔ן tiken HVpp3ms has directed he has weighed out 3
H8505-06 וְ/תֹכֵ֖ן vetokhen HC/Vqrmsa but weighs and measure-of 2
H8505-08 יִתָּכֵֽנוּ yitakhenu HVNi3mp are-equal they will be weighed 2
H8505-02 נִתְכְּנ֖וּ nitekenu HVNp3cp are weighed they were weighed 1
H8505-01 הַֽ/מְתֻכָּ֔ן hametukan HTd/VPsmsa that was counted the measured one 1
H8505-05 תֹ֘כֵ֤ן tokhen HVqrmsa weigh measured proportion 1
H8505-03 תִכַּ֖נְתִּי tikaneti HVpp1cs have established I have measured out 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8505-02 1 Samuel 2:3 נִתְכְּנ֖וּ nitekenu HVNp3cp are weighed they were weighed
H8505-01 2 Kings 12:12 הַֽ/מְתֻכָּ֔ן hametukan HTd/VPsmsa that was counted the measured one
H8505-04 Isaiah 40:12 תִּכֵּ֔ן tiken HVpp3ms marked off he has weighed out
H8505-04 Isaiah 40:13 תִכֵּ֥ן tiken HVpp3ms has directed he has weighed out
H8505-07 Ezekiel 18:25 יִתָּכֵ֖ן yitakhen HVNi3ms right he will be weighed
H8505-07 Ezekiel 18:25 יִתָּכֵ֔ן yitakhen-2 HVNi3ms right he will be weighed
H8505-08 Ezekiel 18:25 יִתָּכֵֽנוּ yitakhenu HVNi3mp right they will be weighed
H8505-07 Ezekiel 18:29 יִתָּכֵ֖ן yitakhen HVNi3ms is-equal he will be weighed
H8505-08 Ezekiel 18:29 יִתָּֽכְנּוּ֙ yitakhenu HVNi3mp are-equal they will be weighed
H8505-07 Ezekiel 18:29 יִתָּכֵֽן yitakhen-2 HVNi3ms are-equal he will be weighed
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