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טָעַן

𐤈𐤏𐤍

ṭâʻan

H2944 verb

SILEX Entry

Root טען to pierce, to thrust, to stab, to impale

Definition

To pierce or impale with a pointed object, typically in acts of violent thrusting or stabbing. The term denotes the physical action of driving a blade, spear, or similar instrument into an object or person, often resulting in death or severe injury. In the biblical record, it is primarily used in the context of martial violence or execution.

Semantic Range

to stab, to thrust through, to pierce, to impale (often lethally); military killing, violent execution

Root / Etymology

Root: ט-ע-נ (טָעַן). Root meaning is 'to pierce, thrust.' The verb develops from the sense of applying pressure or force by means of a sharp implement. Lexically, טָעַן expresses the concrete action of impaling, thrusting through, or stabbing.

Historical & Contextual Notes

טָעַן appears in biblical Hebrew mainly in contexts describing battlefield actions or violent deaths, as in 1 Chronicles 10:4 where Saul asks his armor-bearer to 'thrust' him through with a sword. The term always conveys physical violence, distinguishing it from more generic terms for killing (e.g., הרג, מות). Its occurrence is rare and mostly restricted to narrative accounts of warfare or personal violence. In some later rabbinic or post-biblical usage, derivatives of the root shifted toward meanings relating to 'loading' or 'bearing a load' (with a different root טען), but this is distinct from the meaning here. Standard English translations (e.g., 'pierce,' 'thrust through,' 'run through') reflect the literal violence of the original, though the emphatic sense of deliberate impalement may sometimes be understated. There is no significant evidence of semantic change across biblical periods, but context helps specify the instrument (often a sword or spear) and the act's intent (typically lethal).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to stab; thrust through.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

טען (ṭ-ʿ-n) — to pierce, to thrust, to stab, to impale

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2943 טָעַן Load up!

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2944-01 מְטֹ֣עֲנֵי metoaney HVPsmpc pierced impaled ones of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2944-01 Isaiah 14:19 מְטֹ֣עֲנֵי metoaney HVPsmpc pierced impaled ones of
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