כֵּן

𐤊𐤍

kên

H3651 particle

SILEX Entry

Root כון to be firm, established, set up, fixed

Definition

As an adverb and conjunction, "thus," "so," or "in such a way," referring to what follows or precedes in manner, degree, or result. As an adjective or substantive, it means "right," "correct," or "true" (something in accordance with a standard or properly established). In rarer noun usage, denotes what is established or the established state of affairs. The exact meaning depends on context and can range from indicating the manner of an action, agreement with a previous statement, confirmation, or the result of a preceding event.

Semantic Range

thus, so, in this way, as follows, as it is, right, just, true, accordingly, rightly, established, as previously stated, therefore (in phrases), confirmation, affirmation

Root / Etymology

From the root כּוּן (kun), meaning 'to be firm, established, prepared, set up.' כֵּן derives from this root with the sense of 'that which is set/established,' and came to be used adverbially for 'thus' or 'so,' and adjectivally for 'right' or 'correct.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, כֵּן functions most frequently as an adverb to connect statements or clauses, signifying that what follows is as previously stated or expected—'so,' 'thus,' 'in this manner.' When employed as an adjective, it affirms that something is established, appropriate, or correct. It can also function in idiomatic expressions alongside particles like עַל־כֵּן ('therefore,' literally 'upon this being so') or become part of temporal or causal phrases. The term retains a strong link to the concept of order or being set/fixed, traceable to its root. In post-exilic and later Hebrew, כֵּן continues its role as a confirming particle and is the basis for the modern Hebrew affirmative 'yes.' Standard English translations often flatten the nuance, rendering it simply as 'so' or 'thus,' but in context it may convey affirmation, confirmation, or an underlying sense of correctness or order. Related to כּוּן and distinct from other adverbial connectors like כָּכָה ('like this, thus'), כֵּן often has a more formal or confirmatory function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כּוּן; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles); [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

כון (k-w-n) — firmness, establishment, setting, fixing

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3078 יְהוֹיָכִין YHWH establishes
H3112 יוֹיָכִין Yahweh establishes
H3199 יָכִין to He-Establishes
H3200 יָכִינִי the Yakinite
H3204 יְכׇנְיָה Yah Establishes

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3651-01 כֵּן֙ ken HTm so thus 403
H3651-05 לָ/כֵן֙ lakhen HR/D therefore accordingly 195
H3651-03 כֵֽן khen HD so thus 127
H3651-07 וְ/כֵ֖ן vekhen HC/Tm and so and thus 34
H3651-08 וְ/לָ/כֵ֥ן velakhen HC/R/D and therefore and accordingly 5
H3651-02 כֵּנִ֣ים kenim HAampa honest established ones 3
H3651-06 וּ/בְ/כֵ֡ן uvekhen HC/R/D and so and in this established way 2
H3651-04 כֵנִ֖ים khenim HAampa honest established ones 2

Occurrences in Scripture

771 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3651-03 Genesis 1:7 כֵֽן khen HD so thus
H3651-03 Genesis 1:9 כֵֽן khen HD so thus
H3651-03 Genesis 1:11 כֵֽן khen HD so thus
H3651-03 Genesis 1:15 כֵֽן khen HD so thus
H3651-03 Genesis 1:24 כֵֽן khen HD so thus
H3651-03 Genesis 1:30 כֵֽן khen HD so thus
H3651-01 Genesis 2:24 כֵּן֙ ken HTm therefore thus
H3651-05 Genesis 4:15 לָ/כֵן֙ lakhen HR/D therefore accordingly
H3651-03 Genesis 6:4 כֵ֗ן khen HD that thus
H3651-01 Genesis 6:22 כֵּ֥ן ken HTm so thus