תָּקַן
𐤕𐤒𐤍
tâqan
H8626 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make straight, set in order, arrange or adjust. The term primarily refers to the act of putting something into a correct or proper state—either physically (to straighten or align) or metaphorically (to make morally or socially correct, to arrange or compose thoughts or affairs). In later or figurative contexts, it can denote the ordering or preparation of plans, arrangements, or thoughts.
Semantic Range
to physically straighten an object; to make morally or socially right; to arrange or compose (thoughts, words, plans); to set in proper order; to adjust or amend; to establish procedures or rules (in later Hebrew)
Root / Etymology
Root: תקן. The root meaning is 'to be straight, to be in a proper/right state.' The derived verbal form (piel, hiphil, or qal depending on attested usage) means to make something straight or right, whether physically (as of a path or object) or abstractly (as of conduct, arrangements, or plans).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb occurs primarily in later biblical Hebrew (notably in Ecclesiastes), where it carries both the physical meaning of 'to straighten' and more abstract senses such as arranging, setting right, or preparing. It appears less frequently in the older strata of the language, suggesting that its use was more characteristic of the later monarchic, exilic, and post-exilic periods. The abstract and figurative senses (e.g., setting thoughts in order, arranging words) become more prominent in Wisdom literature, reflecting evolving linguistic usage. 'תקן' is distinct from related verbs such as ישר (yāshar) which often means 'to be straight, right,' typically with moral or judicial overtones; תקן more often focuses on the process of adjusting or making correct. Later Rabbinic Hebrew uses תקן extensively for 'to correct,' 'to amend,' or 'to institute (a practice or ordinance),' reflecting the development of the root's abstract and legal-administrative nuances. Standard English translations as 'set in order' or 'make straight' often do not fully capture the range of contexts—especially the organizational or preparational nuances—in which the word appears, particularly in later Hebrew texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to equalize, i.e. straighten (intransitive or transitive); figuratively, to compose; set in order, make straight.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תקן (t-q-n) — straightness, rightness, order, correction
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8627 | תְּקַן | she was established |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8626-03 |
תִּקֵּ֖ן | tiqen | HVpp3ms |
and he arranged | he set in order | 1 |
H8626-02 |
לִ/תְקֹ֑ן | liteqon | HR/Vqc |
to set in order | 1 | |
H8626-01 |
לְ/תַקֵּ֔ן | letaqen | HR/Vpc |
to set in order | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8626-02 |
Ecclesiastes 1:15 | לִ/תְקֹ֑ן | liteqon | HR/Vqc |
to set in order | |
H8626-01 |
Ecclesiastes 7:13 | לְ/תַקֵּ֔ן | letaqen | HR/Vpc |
to set in order | |
H8626-03 |
Ecclesiastes 12:9 | תִּקֵּ֖ן | tiqen | HVpp3ms |
and he arranged | he set in order |