אֶדֶן
𐤀𐤃𐤍
ʼeden
H134 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A structural base or pedestal, most often referring to the foundational socket or block upon which uprights (such as pillars, boards, doorposts) are set; in tabernacle contexts, the shaped slabs (usually silver or bronze) that provided stability for vertical elements. The word denotes the literal, tangible base supporting a structure or component. Secondary usage may refer to the concept of a supporting foundation more generally, but always with physical or architectural connotation.
Semantic Range
pedestal, socket, base of a column or board, foundation block, architectural footing
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root אדן (ʼdn), which carries the core meaning 'to be firm, to support, to base.' The form אֶדֶן is a noun derived directly from this root and reflects the sense of a supportive foundation or upright base. Despite its similarity in consonants to אָדוֹן (ʼādôn, 'lord, master'), the semantic development is distinct: אָדוֹן developed connotations of rulership, while אֶדֶן retains its architectural and physical support meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, אֶדֶן occurs almost exclusively in descriptions of the tabernacle's construction, most notably in the Priestly source (Exodus 26–40), where it refers to the silver or bronze bases (sockets) into which upright planks or pillars were set. The word is technical and is rare or absent in non-tabernacle building descriptions, suggesting that its use was specialized, perhaps informed by Egyptian architectural concepts as encountered during the exodus period. Standard English translations (e.g., 'socket', 'base', 'foundation') all attempt to capture the physical function, but a modern reader may not recognize that these were distinct, formed blocks engineered to distribute the load at the bottom of structural uprights. In later Hebrew, אֶדֶן is still used in architectural contexts for sockets or pedestals but does not take on metaphorical senses. In post-biblical literature, more generic terms for foundation or base appear. The connection to אָדוֹן is etymological only at the level of the root meaning 'stability,' not in social or personal titles.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as אָדוֹן (in the sense of strength); a basis (of a building, a column, etc.); foundation, socket.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אדן (ʾ-d-n) — firmness, support, base
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H113 | אָדוֹן | master of |
| H114 | אַדּוֹן | lord of |
| H135 | אַדָּן | Addan (Firm-Foundation) |
| H136 | אֲדֹנָי | lord |
| H137 | אֲדֹנִי־בֶזֶק | my lord |
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H134-08 |
וְ/אַדְנֵי/הֶ֣ם | veadeneyhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their sockets | and their foundation-bases | 19 |
H134-03 |
אֲדָנִ֜ים | adanim | HNcmpa |
sockets | foundation sockets | 15 |
H134-04 |
אַדְנֵי | adeney | HNcmpc |
bases of | support-bases of | 11 |
H134-02 |
אֲדָנֶ֑י/הָ | adaneyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
its bases | her support-bases | 3 |
H134-07 |
וַ/אֲדָנָֽי/ו | vaadanayv | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and its sockets | and his foundation-bases | 3 |
H134-05 |
אַדְנֵי/הֶ֖ם | adeneyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
sockets of them | their foundation-sockets | 2 |
H134-01 |
אֲדָנָֽי/ו | adanayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
its bases | his support-bases | 2 |
H134-06 |
לָ/אָֽדֶן | laaden | HRd/Ncmsa |
for a base | support-base | 1 |
H134-09 |
וְ/הָ/אֲדָנִ֣ים | vehaadanim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the bases | and the foundation-blocks | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
57 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H134-04 |
Exodus 26:19 | אַדְנֵי | adeney | HNcmpc |
sockets | support-bases of |
H134-03 |
Exodus 26:19 | אֲדָנִ֜ים | adanim | HNcmpa |
sockets | foundation sockets |
H134-03 |
Exodus 26:19 | אֲדָנִ֛ים | adanim-2 | HNcmpa |
sockets | foundation sockets |
H134-05 |
Exodus 26:21 | אַדְנֵי/הֶ֖ם | adeneyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
their sockets | their foundation-sockets |
H134-03 |
Exodus 26:21 | אֲדָנִ֗ים | adanim | HNcmpa |
sockets | foundation sockets |
H134-03 |
Exodus 26:21 | אֲדָנִ֔ים | adanim-2 | HNcmpa |
sockets | foundation sockets |
H134-08 |
Exodus 26:25 | וְ/אַדְנֵי/הֶ֣ם | veadeneyhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their sockets | and their foundation-bases |
H134-03 |
Exodus 26:25 | אֲדָנִ֑ים | adanim | HNcmpa |
sockets | foundation sockets |
H134-03 |
Exodus 26:25 | אֲדָנִ֗ים | adanim-2 | HNcmpa |
bases | foundation sockets |
H134-03 |
Exodus 26:25 | אֲדָנִ֔ים | adanim-3 | HNcmpa |
bases | foundation sockets |