סִיחוֹן
𐤎𐤉𐤇𐤅𐤍
Sichon
H5511 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Sihon — a personal name referring specifically to a king of the Amorites whose territory was east of the Jordan River and north of Moab. As a personal name, its precise meaning is uncertain, but it is potentially derived from a root meaning 'to sweep away, to sweep along,' possibly indicating forcefulness or impetuosity. The name does not have a common noun usage in Biblical Hebrew; it is exclusively attested as a proper name for this specific historical king.
Semantic Range
(personal name) Sihon, king of the Amorites; does not function as a common noun or adjective in the Hebrew Bible
Root / Etymology
Likely from the root סוּחַ (sūaḥ), meaning 'to sweep away,' 'to sweep along,' or possibly 'tempestuous.' The exact relationship between the root and the name's meaning is uncertain, and the name may be a Northwest Semitic personal name with only a loose connection to the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Sihon is a prominent figure in Israelite historical narratives, especially in the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Judges. He is depicted as king of the Amorites, ruling from Heshbon. The defeat of Sihon by the Israelites is recounted as a significant event leading up to their entry into Cisjordan. The word is not used outside the context of this individual's name. English translations sometimes retain the name as 'Sihon' or attempt to render it with later terminology such as 'Amorite king Sihon.' The term 'Amorite' in these contexts refers to a larger group of West Semitic peoples. The original name may carry an implication of dynamism or power, but this is not its lexical meaning; it functions strictly as a proper name in the Hebrew Bible. There are no derivative forms or alternative meanings in the Hebrew Bible. Later Jewish, Samaritan, and Christian traditions refer to Sihon as a pagan king defeated by the Israelites, but these layers do not affect the biblical lexical meaning. Related names in Northwest Semitic languages are rarely attested; thus, extra-biblical evidence for the precise meaning of the name is limited.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or סִיחֹן; from the same as סוּחַ; tempestuous; Sichon, an Amoritish king; Sihon.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סוח (s-w-ḥ) — to sweep away, to sweep along, to rush by
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5511-02 |
סִיחֹ֥ן | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon | 29 |
H5511-01 |
לְ/סִיחֹן֙ | lesichon | HR/Np |
to Sihon | to Sihon | 8 |
Occurrences in Scripture
37 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5511-02 |
Numbers 21:21 | סִיחֹ֥ן | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Numbers 21:23 | סִיחֹ֣ן | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Numbers 21:23 | סִיחֹ֜ן | sichon-2 | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Numbers 21:26 | סִיחֹ֛ן | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Numbers 21:27 | סִיחֽוֹן | sichon | HNp |
of Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Numbers 21:28 | סִיחֹ֑ן | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Numbers 21:29 | סִיחֽוֹן | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-01 |
Numbers 21:34 | לְ/סִיחֹן֙ | lesichon | HR/Np |
to Sihon | to Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Numbers 32:33 | סִיחֹן֙ | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |
H5511-02 |
Deuteronomy 1:4 | סִיחֹן֙ | sichon | HNp |
Sihon | Sihon |