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תַּנִּין

𐤕𐤍𐤉𐤍

Tanin

H8577 noun

SILEX Entry

Root תן to stretch out, to be elongated (root); large, stretched-out creature

Definition

A large, formidable reptilian or aquatic creature, often translated as 'sea monster,' 'serpent,' or 'dragon.' The term תַּנִּין covers a variety of great animals, both real and mythological, most frequently denoting creatures associated with chaos, the sea, or desolate areas. It can refer to both land-dwelling and sea-dwelling creatures and may denote symbolic adversaries or natural beasts, depending on context.

Semantic Range

sea monster, great sea serpent, dragon, monstrous aquatic animal, large land reptile, symbol of chaos or adversary, snake (in some contexts), emblematic or legendary beast

Root / Etymology

From the root תָּן (tan), which in its base usage refers to a type of wild animal, possibly a jackal or another scavenger, but in the intensive form as תַּנִּין refers to a much larger or more fearsome beast. The root itself connotes the idea of a stretched-out or elongated animal, fitting the image of a serpent or dragon. The specific word תַּנִּין is used for large serpentine or reptilian creatures; its precise zoological referent is uncertain and varies by context.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In pre-exilic and early Israelite texts, תַּנִּין frequently appears in poetic passages as a symbol of chaos, often paralleling mythological themes from neighboring cultures (such as the Ugaritic Lotan or the Babylonian Tiamat). Its association with the sea (e.g., Genesis 1:21, Isaiah 27:1) reflects ancient conceptions of cosmic order and chaos, while in other passages (e.g., Exodus 7:9-12), it can refer to a snake or a creature formed by transformation. In later texts (e.g., prophetic or exilic works), תַּנִּין may symbolize powerful kingdoms or adversaries (e.g., Pharaoh in Ezekiel 29:3). The LXX and later translators at times render the term as κῆτος (sea monster or whale) or δράκων (dragon/serpent), contributing to the wide range of possible meanings. The word does not have a one-for-one correspondence with modern zoological terms and should not be limited to 'whale,' 'serpent,' or 'dragon.' Care must be taken to avoid confusion with related terms, such as לויתן (Leviathan), which is distinct but contextually similar.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or תַּנִּים; (Ezekiel 29:3), intensive from the same as תַּן; a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal; dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תן (t-n) — to stretch out, to be elongated; large stretched-out creature

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8565 תַּן howling wild beasts
H8568 תַּנָּה to wail intensely

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8577-09 תַנִּ֔ים tanim HNcmpa of jackals great serpentine creatures 8
H8577-11 תַּנִּינִ֖ם taninim HNcmpa of serpents great elongated serpents 3
H8577-02 הַ/תַּנִּ֖ין hatanin HTd/Ncmsa of the dragons the great serpent-beast 2
H8577-10 תַּנִּֽין tanin HNcmsa a sea monster great stretched-out serpent 2
H8577-04 כַּ/תַּנִּ֑ים katanim HRd/Ncmpa like jackals great serpentine monsters 2
H8577-07 לְ/תַנִּֽין letanin HR/Ncmsa a serpent to a great sea-serpent 2
H8577-03 הַ/תַּנִּינִ֖ם hataninim HTd/Ncmpa the great sea creatures the great serpentine monsters 1
H8577-06 לְ/תַנִּ֑ים letanim HR/Ncmpa to jackals to great stretched-out monsters 1
H8577-13 וְ/תַנִּֽין vetanin HC/Ncmsa and dragon great stretched-out creature 1
H8577-08 לְ/תַנִּינִ֑ם letaninim HR/Ncmpa serpents great serpentine monsters 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8577-03 Genesis 1:21 הַ/תַּנִּינִ֖ם hataninim HTd/Ncmpa the great sea creatures the great serpentine monsters
H8577-07 Exodus 7:9 לְ/תַנִּֽין letanin HR/Ncmsa a serpent to a great sea-serpent
H8577-07 Exodus 7:10 לְ/תַנִּֽין letanin HR/Ncmsa a serpent to a great sea-serpent
H8577-08 Exodus 7:12 לְ/תַנִּינִ֑ם letaninim HR/Ncmpa serpents great serpentine monsters
H8577-11 Deuteronomy 32:33 תַּנִּינִ֖ם taninim HNcmpa of serpents great elongated serpents
H8577-12 Isaiah 13:22 וְ/תַנִּ֖ים vetanim HC/Ncmpa and-jackals great serpentine monsters
H8577-02 Isaiah 27:1 הַ/תַּנִּ֖ין hatanin HTd/Ncmsa the dragon the great serpent-beast
H8577-09 Isaiah 34:13 תַנִּ֔ים tanim HNcmpa for-jackals great serpentine creatures
H8577-09 Isaiah 35:7 תַנִּים֙ tanim HNcmpa of jackals great serpentine creatures
H8577-09 Isaiah 43:20 תַּנִּ֖ים tanim HNcmpa jackals great serpentine creatures
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