תָּנָה
𐤕𐤍𐤄
tânâh
H8566 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
A verb meaning to give or offer something as an inducement, particularly in the context of bargaining or hiring, especially for sexual services. In the Hebrew Bible, it is used specifically of making an offer or payment to a prostitute in exchange for her services. The word generally conveys the act of proposing or negotiating a transactional arrangement, often with the sense of offering a reward or payment.
Semantic Range
to present an offer, to propose a reward, to hire (especially a prostitute), to bargain for services, to offer inducement
Root / Etymology
From the root תנה (t-n-h), which is not widely attested outside this verbal form. Its meaning relates to the act of giving or offering something, particularly in contexts involving exchange or inducement. The root is distinct from נתן (n-t-n), 'to give,' though both share the notion of transfer, but תנה emphasizes the conditional or transactional offer. The etymology outside Biblical Hebrew is uncertain, and cognates in other Semitic languages are limited or debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb תָּנָה is rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing with reference to negotiation or contractual arrangements with prostitutes (Genesis 38:16, Genesis 38:21, Hosea 8:9). In these contexts, the term emphasizes the transactional nature of the encounter, focusing on the proposed or given payment. The meaning is more specific than broader verbs for 'give' or 'pay'; it is directly tied to bargaining or inducement, especially in a context of sexual or mercenary exchange. English translations often render the term as 'hire' or 'give a pledge,' but these may not fully capture the nuance of inducement or bargaining. The use of תָּנָה differs from words like שָׂכַר (s-kh-r), which generally means 'to hire' or 'wages,' as תָּנָה more directly involves the act of presenting or negotiating an offer. The term does not occur in post-biblical Hebrew, suggesting its sense is particular to early and classical biblical Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to present (a mercenary inducement), i.e. bargain with (a harlot); hire.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תנה (t-n-h) — give as inducement, offer, bargain
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8566-02 |
יִתְנ֥וּ | yitenu | HVqi3mp |
they hire allies | they will give | 1 |
H8566-01 |
הִתְנ֥וּ | hitenu | HVhp3cp |
has hired | they made an inducement-offer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8566-01 |
Hosea 8:9 | הִתְנ֥וּ | hitenu | HVhp3cp |
has hired | they made an inducement-offer |
H8566-02 |
Hosea 8:10 | יִתְנ֥וּ | yitenu | HVqi3mp |
they hire allies | they will give |