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מִפְתָּן

𐤌𐤐𐤕𐤍

miphtân

H4670 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פתן to extend, spread out, form a base (probable; root meaning uncertain)

Definition

A structural element at the base of a doorway, serving as the physical threshold or doorstep. The word denotes the lower part of an entrance, forming the transition between exterior and interior spaces. While primarily an architectural term, in some literary contexts it may symbolize boundaries, entrance, or transition.

Semantic Range

doorway threshold, doorsill, base of an entrance, step at the entrance, transition point at doorway

Root / Etymology

Root is פ-ת-ן (פתן), though the connection is uncertain; Strong's suggestion is a similarity to פֶּתֶן (peten, 'adder' or 'snake'), but there is little evidence for an etymological relationship other than similar form. The word itself clearly denotes a structural feature, and its formation indicates a noun of place or device from the root, but its precise derivation is obscure.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מִפְתָּן appears most frequently with reference to temple architecture, signifying the literal threshold of holy precincts (e.g., Ezekiel 40-47 for the visionary temple). Unlike סַף (saf), which can refer more generally to a 'threshold' or 'doorframe' and sometimes to threshold rooms or vestibules, מִפְתָּן refers specifically to the structural sill at the bottom of a doorway. The term acquires religious significance in texts describing ritual actions at the threshold (such as in Ezekiel or Exodus 12 during the Passover). English translations typically render it as 'threshold' or 'doorstep,' which are accurate but miss some of the ceremonial import in temple or ritual contexts. In later Hebrew, the word does not retain a significant symbolic meaning. There is no connection with the later English sense of 'threshold' as an abstract boundary; מִפְתָּן remains a concrete architectural term.

Translation Consistency

primary "threshold" 8 occurrences

The Hebrew miphtân denotes the lower part of a doorway or the step at an entrance. "Threshold" is the most natural, widely understood English term that covers both the physical doorsill/doorstep sense and the symbolic sense of an entry or transition. It is concise and matches the typical use across the occurrences, ensuring consistent rendering.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as פֶּתֶן; a stretcher, i.e. a sill; threshold.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פתן (p-t-n) — extend, spread out, form a base

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6620 פֶּתֶן venomous viper

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4670-02 מִפְתַּ֥ן mifetan HNcmsc the threshold threshold of threshold of 6
H4670-01 הַ/מִּפְתָּ֔ן hamifetan HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the doorway-threshold the threshold 2

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4670-01 1 Samuel 5:4 הַ/מִּפְתָּ֔ן hamifetan HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the doorway-threshold the threshold
H4670-02 1 Samuel 5:5 מִפְתַּ֥ן mifetan HNcmsc the threshold threshold of threshold of
H4670-02 Ezekiel 9:3 מִפְתַּ֣ן mifetan HNcmsc threshold threshold of threshold of
H4670-02 Ezekiel 10:4 מִפְתַּ֣ן mifetan HNcmsc threshold threshold of threshold of
H4670-02 Ezekiel 10:18 מִפְתַּ֣ן mifetan HNcmsc the threshold threshold of threshold of
H4670-02 Ezekiel 46:2 מִפְתַּ֥ן mifetan HNcmsc the-threshold threshold of threshold of
H4670-02 Ezekiel 47:1 מִפְתַּ֤ן mifetan HNcmsc the threshold threshold of threshold of
H4670-01 Zephaniah 1:9 הַ/מִּפְתָּ֖ן hamifetan HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the doorway-threshold the threshold
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