יְאִתוֹן
𐤉𐤀𐤕𐤅𐤍
yᵉʼithôwn
H2978 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place of entrance or access; specifically, a gateway, door, or opening providing passage into a space or structure. In context, it commonly denotes an architectural passageway, such as a gate in a city wall or gateway to a house or courtyard.
Semantic Range
entryway, entrance, gateway, access point, passage, doorway
Root / Etymology
Root א-ת-ה (אָתָה), meaning 'to come' or 'to approach.' The noun form יְאִתוֹן derives from this root, indicating the place where arrival or approach occurs, i.e., the point of entry.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יְאִתוֹן is an uncommon noun in the Hebrew Bible, specifically denoting the space or structure designed for entrance rather than the act of entering itself. Its usage is architectural or spatial in focus, sometimes in the context of city gates or portals. The term distinguishes between the mere act of entering (associated with verbs like בּוֹא) and the physical access point. In post-biblical Hebrew, related terms shifted or broadened in meaning, but the biblical usage remains focused on literal entranceways. English translations often render it as 'entrance' or 'gateway,' which captures the primary sense but may lose nuance regarding architectural specificity or functional import. There is no connotation of ritual, symbolic, or spiritual entry—that is more typical of metaphorical uses with other Hebrew terms. The word is rare and its precise architectural referent may depend on the context in which it appears.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָתָה; an entry; entrance.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אתה (ʾ-t-h) — to come, approach, arrive
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2978-01 |
הָֽ/אִית֔וֹן | haiton | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the entrance | entryway | entryway | 1 |
H2978-02 |
ה/יאתון | hytvn | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the entrance | the gateway | the gateway | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2978-02 |
Ezekiel 40:15 | ה/יאתון | hytvn | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the entrance | the gateway | the gateway |
H2978-01 |
Ezekiel 40:15 | הָֽ/אִית֔וֹן | haiton | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the entrance | entryway | entryway |