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אוֹפָן

𐤀𐤅𐤐𐤍

ʼôwphân

H212 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אופן to revolve, to turn (inferred root); wheel

Definition

A circular object used to enable movement, specifically a wheel; in biblical usage, a solid (often wooden or metallic) wheel component of a cart or chariot, or the visionary wheels in prophetic visions. In extended or symbolic contexts, 'ôphân can signify cosmic or celestial wheels, particularly in Ezekiel's visions.

Semantic Range

physical wheel (of cart, chariot); visionary celestial wheel (Ezekiel); by extension, instrument of turning or revolving; cosmic wheel in symbolic visions

Root / Etymology

From the root אופן, which is only attested in this nominal form; the root is likely related to the concept of revolving or turning, though no active verbal form is found in Biblical Hebrew. The form reflects a noun of instrument from a root notion of 'to revolve, turn.' Etymologically related parallels are found in cognate Semitic languages (e.g., Akkadian uppu, 'wheel'), though the relationship may be inherited or patterned.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אוֹפָן (ʼôphân) appears in various contexts through the biblical text. In practical, material culture (e.g., 1 Kings 7:30), it refers to actual wheels of carts or chariots, integral to transport in ancient Israelite society. Its most prominent and theologically significant appearance is in the visions of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:15–21; 10:6–19), where the wheels are animated and accompany supernatural beings (the 'living creatures' or cherubim), depicted as complex and intersecting. In such visionary narratives, אוֹפָן takes on symbolic and cosmic dimensions, representing mobility, dynamism, and possibly the presence of the divine throne-chariot. English translations sometimes use 'wheel' without differentiating between the mundane and visionary uses, while later traditions and translations (e.g., the term 'Ophanim' in post-biblical literature) personify the wheels as a class of angels, though this development lies outside biblical usage. The word is distinct from גלגל (galgal), which can mean 'wheel, rolling thing' but often emphasizes movement or rolling, whereas אוֹפָן focuses more on the structure or component. The term persists into later Hebrew with much the same meaning, though without the visionary associations. In summary, meaning ranges from the literal wheel of carts and chariots in daily and cultic life to heightened cosmic and symbolic usages in prophetic literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) אֹפָן; from an unused root meaning to revolve; a wheel; wheel.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אופן (ʾ-ô-p-n) — to revolve, to turn; wheel

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H212-03 הָ/אֽוֹפַנִּ֗ים haofanim HTd/Ncmpa of the wheels the wheels 11
H212-05 אֹפַ֣ן ofan HNcmsc wheel wheel of 6
H212-02 הָ/אוֹפַ֣ן haofan HTd/Ncmsa a wheel the wheel 6
H212-09 וְ/הָ/אוֹפַנִּ֗ים vehaofanim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the wheels and the revolving-wheels 4
H212-01 בָּ/אוֹפַנִּֽים baofanim HRd/Ncmpa in the wheels in the wheels 2
H212-10 וְ/אוֹפַ֣ן veofan HC/Ncmsc and wheel and wheel-of 2
H212-07 אוֹפַנֵּי/הֶֽם ofaneyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their wheels their revolving wheels 1
H212-04 לָ/א֖וֹפַנִּ֑ים laofanim HRd/Ncmpa to the wheels to wheels 1
H212-08 אוֹפַנִּים֮ ofanim HNcmpa wheels wheels 1
H212-06 אוֹפַנֵּ֨י ofaney HNcmpc wheels-of wheels of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

35 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H212-05 Exodus 14:25 אֹפַ֣ן ofan HNcmsc wheel wheel of
H212-06 1 Kings 7:30 אוֹפַנֵּ֨י ofaney HNcmpc wheels-of wheels of
H212-03 1 Kings 7:32 הָ/אֽוֹפַנִּ֗ים haofanim HTd/Ncmpa the-wheels the wheels
H212-03 1 Kings 7:32 הָ/אֽוֹפַנִּ֖ים haofanim-2 HTd/Ncmpa the-wheels the wheels
H212-02 1 Kings 7:32 הָ/אוֹפַ֣ן haofan HTd/Ncmsa the-wheel the wheel
H212-03 1 Kings 7:33 הָ/א֣וֹפַנִּ֔ים haofanim HTd/Ncmpa of the wheels the wheels
H212-05 1 Kings 7:33 אוֹפַ֣ן ofan HNcmsc of a wheel wheel of
H212-10 Isaiah 28:27 וְ/אוֹפַ֣ן veofan HC/Ncmsc and-wheel and wheel-of
H212-05 Ezekiel 1:15 אוֹפַ֨ן ofan HNcmsa a wheel wheel of
H212-03 Ezekiel 1:16 הָ/אוֹפַנִּ֤ים haofanim HTd/Ncmpa of the wheels the wheels
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