אֵיתָן
𐤀𐤉𐤕𐤍
ʼêythân
H386 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A longstanding, enduring, or perennial condition, object, or quality; descriptor for something that is firmly established, enduring, or possessing lasting strength. In some contexts, a proper name. Also refers to perennial streams (as opposed to wadi or seasonal streams) and, less frequently, may function as an adjective for people or things denoting constancy or vigor.
Semantic Range
enduring, everlasting, perpetual (of streams, hills, or earth); steadfast, firm, constant (of character, quality, or strength); perennial watercourse; enduring person (as a personal name)
Root / Etymology
From the root א-ת-ן, whose precise verbal form is unattested in Biblical Hebrew but is reconstructed as signifying 'to be enduring, to be perpetual/stable.' The formation אֵיתָן is a substantive/adjective meaning 'enduring, perennial, firmly established.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, אֵיתָן commonly describes natural features with a sense of timelessness, especially streams or courses of water that flow continually (as in Deuteronomy 21:4 and Amos 5:24), and is applied, more generally, to denote strength or firmness (Numbers 24:21, Micah 6:2). The word also appears as a personal name: Eitan (e.g., Eitan the Ezrahite in Psalm 89:1 superscription). Standard English translations tend to render the term according to context—'perennial,' 'enduring,' 'firm,' or as a personal name—though the breadth of the word encompasses both physical permanence (e.g., enduring geological formations) and enduring human qualities (such as steadfastness or constancy). It should not be confused with other words for 'strong' (such as חָזָק), which more often denote physical might, or with temporary strength (such as עָזוּז). During the post-exilic period, אֵיתָן’s usage is mostly confined to proper names, while in earlier texts its descriptive force is more prominent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (shortened) אֵתָן ; from an unused root (meaning to continue); permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain; hard, mighty, rough, strength, strong.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אֹתַן (ʼêythân) — to endure, to continue, to be perpetual/constant
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H386-03 |
אֵיתָֽן | eytan | HAamsa |
ever-flowing | enduring | enduring | 8 |
H386-01 |
בְּ/אֵיתָן֙ | beeytan | HR/Aamsa |
in strength | in enduring firmness | in enduring firmness | 1 |
H386-02 |
אֵתָֽן | etan | HAamsa |
continually | enduring one | enduring one | 1 |
H386-04 |
לְ/אֵ֣יתָנ֔/וֹ | leeytano | HR/Aamsc/Sp3ms |
its strength | to his enduring-firmness | to its enduring strength | 1 |
H386-05 |
וְ/אֵֽתָנִ֣ים | veetanim | HC/Aampa |
and the mighty | and enduring ones | and enduring ones | 1 |
H386-06 |
וְ/הָ/אֵתָנִ֖ים | vehaetanim | HC/Td/Aampa |
and you enduring | the enduring ones | the enduring ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H386-01 |
Genesis 49:24 | בְּ/אֵיתָן֙ | beeytan | HR/Aamsa |
in strength | in enduring firmness | in enduring firmness |
H386-04 |
Exodus 14:27 | לְ/אֵ֣יתָנ֔/וֹ | leeytano | HR/Aamsc/Sp3ms |
its strength | to his enduring-firmness | to its enduring strength |
H386-03 |
Numbers 24:21 | אֵיתָן֙ | eytan | HAamsa |
Firm | enduring | enduring |
H386-03 |
Deuteronomy 21:4 | אֵיתָ֔ן | eytan | HAamsa |
perennial | enduring | enduring |
H386-03 |
Jeremiah 5:15 | אֵיתָ֣ן | eytan | HAamsa |
enduring | enduring | enduring |
H386-03 |
Jeremiah 49:19 | אֵיתָן֒ | eytan | HAamsa |
of the strong | enduring | enduring |
H386-03 |
Jeremiah 50:44 | אֵיתָן֒ | eytan | HAamsa |
evergreen | enduring | enduring |
H386-03 |
Amos 5:24 | אֵיתָֽן | eytan | HAamsa |
ever-flowing | enduring | ever-flowing |
H386-06 |
Micah 6:2 | וְ/הָ/אֵתָנִ֖ים | vehaetanim | HC/Td/Aampa |
and you enduring | the enduring ones | the enduring ones |
H386-03 |
Psalms 74:15 | אֵיתָֽן | eytan | HAamsa |
ever-flowing | enduring | enduring |
H386-03 |
Proverbs 13:15 | אֵיתָֽן | eytan | HAamsa |
is hard | enduring | enduring |
H386-05 |
Job 12:19 | וְ/אֵֽתָנִ֣ים | veetanim | HC/Aampa |
and the mighty | and enduring ones | and enduring ones |
H386-02 |
Job 33:19 | אֵתָֽן | etan | HAamsa |
continually | enduring one | enduring one |