← H385 H387 →

אֵיתָן

𐤀𐤉𐤕𐤍

ʼêythân

H386 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root אֹתַן to endure, to continue, to be perpetual/constant

Definition

A longstanding, enduring, or perennial condition, object, or quality; descriptor for something that is firmly established, enduring, or possessing lasting strength. In some contexts, a proper name. Also refers to perennial streams (as opposed to wadi or seasonal streams) and, less frequently, may function as an adjective for people or things denoting constancy or vigor.

Semantic Range

enduring, everlasting, perpetual (of streams, hills, or earth); steadfast, firm, constant (of character, quality, or strength); perennial watercourse; enduring person (as a personal name)

Root / Etymology

From the root א-ת-ן, whose precise verbal form is unattested in Biblical Hebrew but is reconstructed as signifying 'to be enduring, to be perpetual/stable.' The formation אֵיתָן is a substantive/adjective meaning 'enduring, perennial, firmly established.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֵיתָן commonly describes natural features with a sense of timelessness, especially streams or courses of water that flow continually (as in Deuteronomy 21:4 and Amos 5:24), and is applied, more generally, to denote strength or firmness (Numbers 24:21, Micah 6:2). The word also appears as a personal name: Eitan (e.g., Eitan the Ezrahite in Psalm 89:1 superscription). Standard English translations tend to render the term according to context—'perennial,' 'enduring,' 'firm,' or as a personal name—though the breadth of the word encompasses both physical permanence (e.g., enduring geological formations) and enduring human qualities (such as steadfastness or constancy). It should not be confused with other words for 'strong' (such as חָזָק), which more often denote physical might, or with temporary strength (such as עָזוּז). During the post-exilic period, אֵיתָן’s usage is mostly confined to proper names, while in earlier texts its descriptive force is more prominent.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) אֵתָן ; from an unused root (meaning to continue); permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain; hard, mighty, rough, strength, strong.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

א-ת-ן (ʾ-t-n) — to endure, to continue, to be perpetual, to be constant

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H387 אֵיתָן from Ethan

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H386-03 אֵיתָן֙ eytan HAamsa ever-flowing enduring 8
H386-05 וְ/אֵֽתָנִ֣ים veetanim HC/Aampa and the mighty and enduring ones 1
H386-04 לְ/אֵ֣יתָנ֔/וֹ leeytano HR/Aamsc/Sp3ms its strength to his enduring-firmness 1
H386-02 אֵתָֽן etan HAamsa continually enduring one 1
H386-06 וְ/הָ/אֵתָנִ֖ים vehaetanim HC/Td/Aampa and you enduring the enduring ones 1
H386-01 בְּ/אֵיתָן֙ beeytan HR/Aamsa in strength in enduring firmness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H386-01 Genesis 49:24 בְּ/אֵיתָן֙ beeytan HR/Aamsa in strength in enduring firmness
H386-04 Exodus 14:27 לְ/אֵ֣יתָנ֔/וֹ leeytano HR/Aamsc/Sp3ms its strength to his enduring-firmness
H386-03 Numbers 24:21 אֵיתָן֙ eytan HAamsa Firm enduring
H386-03 Deuteronomy 21:4 אֵיתָ֔ן eytan HAamsa perennial enduring
H386-03 Jeremiah 5:15 אֵיתָ֣ן eytan HAamsa enduring enduring
H386-03 Jeremiah 49:19 אֵיתָן֒ eytan HAamsa of the strong enduring
H386-03 Jeremiah 50:44 אֵיתָן֒ eytan HAamsa evergreen enduring
H386-03 Amos 5:24 אֵיתָֽן eytan HAamsa ever-flowing enduring
H386-06 Micah 6:2 וְ/הָ/אֵתָנִ֖ים vehaetanim HC/Td/Aampa and you enduring the enduring ones
H386-03 Psalms 74:15 אֵיתָֽן eytan HAamsa ever-flowing enduring
← H385 Hebrew Lexicon H387 →