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זִקְנָה

𐤆𐤒𐤍𐤄

ziqnâh

H2209 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Old age; the state or condition of being old, typically with reference to advanced years as an abstract quality or phase of life. In biblical usage, זִקְנָה denotes the period of life characterized by aging, maturity, and often, associated dignity or status that comes with seniority. It can refer to the later years of a person's life in a general sense, distinguished from other chronological stages such as youth (נְעוּרִים) or childhood.

Semantic Range

old age, advanced age, the condition or state of being old, period of life marked by aging or seniority

Root / Etymology

From the root זקן (z-q-n), which means 'to become old' or 'to be aged.' The noun form זִקְנָה is a feminine abstract noun derived from this root, expressing the concept or state of old age, as opposed to the masculine noun זָקֵן, which functions for 'old man' or 'elder.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, זִקְנָה is used to refer to the social and chronological status of old age, often highlighting the period of life associated with wisdom, experience, or decline in physical vigor. While the masculine זָקֵן frequently serves as a title or status term for elders in the community (leaders or authority figures), זִקְנָה refers abstractly to the process or reality of aging itself. The term is used in both literal and figurative language, sometimes emphasizing respect and honor due to elders in Israelite society and at other times referencing the challenges or vulnerabilities of aging. English translations as 'old age' or 'advanced age' generally reflect its meaning, but may overlook the cultural nuances, such as the connection to honor or status. Its use remains consistent throughout the biblical period without significant semantic shift.

Translation Consistency

primary "old age" 6 occurrences

ziqnâh denotes the state or period of being old. The natural, idiomatic English rendering that best captures the typical biblical sense is “old age” (more precise than the ambiguous “age” and more natural than “old” as an adjective). This single phrase will consistently convey the condition/period of advanced years.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of זָקֵן; old age; old (age).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זקן (z-q-n) — to be old, to become aged, to grow old

Root זקן to be old, to become aged, to grow old
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2204 זָקֵן and he grew old
H2205 זָקֵן in the elder
H2206 זָקָן in the beard of
H2207 זֹקֶן from old age
H2208 זָקֻן to his old-age years

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2209-01 זִקְנָה֙ ziqenah HNcfsa old age old age old age 3
H2209-02 זִקְנַ֣ת ziqenat HNcfsc old age old age of old age of 1
H2209-04 זִקְנָת֔/וֹ ziqenato HNcfsc/Sp3ms of his old age his old age his old age 1
H2209-03 זִקְנָתָ֑/הּ ziqenatah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her old age her old age her old age 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2209-03 Genesis 24:36 זִקְנָתָ֑/הּ ziqenatah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her old age her old age her old age
H2209-02 1 Kings 11:4 זִקְנַ֣ת ziqenat HNcfsc old age old age of old age of
H2209-04 1 Kings 15:23 זִקְנָת֔/וֹ ziqenato HNcfsc/Sp3ms of his old age his old age his old age
H2209-01 Isaiah 46:4 זִקְנָה֙ ziqenah HNcfsa old age old age old age
H2209-01 Psalms 71:9 זִקְנָ֑ה ziqenah HNcfsa of old age old age old age
H2209-01 Psalms 71:18 זִקְנָ֨ה ziqenah HNcfsa old age old age old age
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