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זַן

𐤆𐤍

zan

H2178 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זן to feed, provide food, nourish

Definition

A category or grouping of things or beings sharing common characteristics; a kind, type, or sort. Used in enumerative or classificatory contexts to specify classes or groups distinguished by particular attributes. Most often denotes types of living organisms, but may be applied more broadly to denote any set distinguished from others by shared features.

Semantic Range

kind, sort, category, type, class, variety

Root / Etymology

Root is זן, which in both Hebrew and Aramaic means 'to feed' or 'to provide food.' The nominal form as used here refers to 'kind' or 'category,' likely relating originally to sorts or categories of living things as they pertain to feeding or provision. The semantic development is from the action of providing nourishment (the verbal root), to the classification of those things which are provided (the nominal form).

Historical & Contextual Notes

זַן appears in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15), employed to indicate 'kinds' or 'types,' especially in the phrase 'all kinds of instruments.' This usage parallels the Hebrew term מִין (min), which bears a similar classificatory function ('kind,' 'species'). In Aramaic contexts, זַן functions as a noun marking diversity within a group, most frequently in lists. English versions often render זַן as 'kind' or 'sort,' closely matching its original scope. The Hebrew root זן is distinct from the Aramaic usage as a noun, where Hebrew tends to use מִין. There is no evidence that זַן as used in Daniel ever carries religious or ethnic valence; it remains a neutral classificatory term throughout its attested usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to זַן; sort; kind.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זן (z-n) — feeding, nourishment, provision

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2178-01 זְנֵ֣י zeney ANcmpc kinds kinds of 4

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2178-01 Daniel 3:5 זְנֵ֣י zeney ANcmpc kinds kinds of
H2178-01 Daniel 3:7 זְנֵ֣י zeney ANcmpc kinds kinds of
H2178-01 Daniel 3:10 זְנֵ֣י zeney ANcmpc kinds kinds of
H2178-01 Daniel 3:15 זְנֵ֣י zeney ANcmpc kinds kinds of
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