זֵיתָן

𐤆𐤉𐤕𐤍

Zeytan

H2133 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זית olive tree, olive

Definition

Proper noun referring to an Israelite individual named Zethan. The name likely means 'olive grove' or 'olive plantation,' reflecting an association with olive trees or cultivation. It is used strictly as a personal name within the biblical text and is not a common noun or descriptor.

Semantic Range

an Israelite personal name; possibly with the sense 'olive grove' or 'olive plantation' as an etymological background

Root / Etymology

From the root זית (z-y-t), meaning 'olive'. The form זֵיתָן (Zêythân) adds a nominal suffix, possibly connoting place (as in 'olive grove') or serving as a formative for personal names. The exact nuance of the suffix is debated, but the connection to 'olive' is clear.

Historical & Contextual Notes

זֵיתָן appears only as a personal name in genealogical contexts (1 Chronicles 7:10), specifically identifying an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin. The root זית relates to the olive tree, an essential economic and symbolic plant in ancient Israelite society. While later English translations render זֵיתָן as 'Zethan,' this is a transliteration and not a translation. This name should not be confused with the common noun זַיִת (olive) or with place names derived from the same root. The semantic sense of 'olive grove' is likely but functions in context as a traditional theophoric or nature-derived personal name. There is no evidence that זֵיתָן ever denoted a group, occupation, or geographic identity beyond this specific personal naming usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from זַיִת; olive grove; Zethan, an Israelite; Zethan.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זית (z-y-t) — olive, olive tree

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2132 זַיִת the olive tree
H2241 זֵתָם and Zetham

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2133-01 וְ/זֵיתָ֔ן vezeytan HC/Np and Zethan and Olive-Grove and Zeytan 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2133-01 1 Chronicles 7:10 וְ/זֵיתָ֔ן vezeytan HC/Np and Zethan and Olive-Grove and Zeytan