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טָחַן

𐤈𐤇𐤍

ṭâchan

H2912 verb

SILEX Entry

Root טחן to grind, to pulverize, to crush (grain or meal)

Definition

To grind, particularly grain or meal, using a hand-mill or mortar; by extension, one who grinds (a grinder or miller). In some contexts, the term refers specifically to the action of women grinding grain, which was a common domestic task in ancient Israelite society. Occasionally, 'to grind' is used euphemistically in reference to a woman's status or labor, especially in servitude or as punishment.

Semantic Range

to grind, to pulverize, to crush (grain, meal, or food); one who grinds (a grinder, miller); to be engaged in servile or menial labor, especially in reference to women; (rare, contextual) to serve in low-status female labor, sometimes associated with sexual servitude or concubinage

Root / Etymology

The verb טָחַן derives from the root ט-ח-ן (טחן), which carries the basic sense 'to grind.' This root is well-attested in Northwest Semitic languages with the core meaning of pulverizing or crushing, especially with reference to food preparation. The derived forms mean 'grinder' or someone engaged in grinding. No earlier root is certain beyond this attestation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israel, grinding grain was a daily activity, typically performed by women, using a hand-mill or quern. The verb occurs both literally (as in Judges 16:21, referring to Samson grinding in prison) and figuratively. The connection to female laborers is significant: Isaiah 47:2 uses the root in an imperative to Babylonian women to grind meal as a symbol of humiliation and servitude in defeat. Rarely, the term is linked contextually to the role of a concubine because grinding was seen as menial and servile work; thus, translators sometimes paraphrased or interpreted the participle form as referencing such status, but this is an interpretive move rather than a lexical one. Later translations or cultural assumptions (not the Hebrew lexeme itself) connect the role of 'grinder' or 'servant girl' to concubinage, but the primary sense remains related to food production. English translations such as 'grind,' 'grinder,' and 'to grind meal' generally capture the core action but may overlook the social and gendered implications of the word in its ancient setting.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to grind meal; hence, to be aconcubine (that being their employment); grind(-er).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

טחן (ṭ-ḥ-n) — to grind, to pulverize, to crush (grain or meal)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2911 טְחוֹן hand grinding-mill
H2913 טַחֲנָה the grinding-mill

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2912-06 וַ/יִּטְחַ֖ן vayitechan HC/Vqw3ms and ground and he ground 1
H2912-07 וְ/טַ֣חֲנִי vetachani HC/Vqv2fs and grind and grind 1
H2912-05 טוֹחֵ֖ן tochen HVqrmsa grinding grinding one 1
H2912-08 וְ/טָחֲנ֣וּ vetachanu HC/Vqq3cp and ground and they ground 1
H2912-03 תִּטְחַ֣ן titechan HVqi3fs may grind she will grind 1
H2912-01 הַ/טֹּֽחֲנוֹת֙ hatochanot HTd/Ncfpa the grinders the grinding-women 1
H2912-04 תִּטְחָ֑נוּ titechanu HVqi2mp grind you will grind 1
H2912-02 טָחוֹן֙ tachon HVqa ground to grind 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2912-06 Exodus 32:20 וַ/יִּטְחַ֖ן vayitechan HC/Vqw3ms and ground and he ground
H2912-08 Numbers 11:8 וְ/טָחֲנ֣וּ vetachanu HC/Vqq3cp and ground and they ground
H2912-02 Deuteronomy 9:21 טָחוֹן֙ tachon HVqa ground to grind
H2912-05 Judges 16:21 טוֹחֵ֖ן tochen HVqrmsa grinding grinding one
H2912-04 Isaiah 3:15 תִּטְחָ֑נוּ titechanu HVqi2mp grind you will grind
H2912-07 Isaiah 47:2 וְ/טַ֣חֲנִי vetachani HC/Vqv2fs and grind and grind
H2912-03 Job 31:10 תִּטְחַ֣ן titechan HVqi3fs may grind she will grind
H2912-01 Ecclesiastes 12:3 הַ/טֹּֽחֲנוֹת֙ hatochanot HTd/Ncfpa the grinders the grinding-women
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