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סָכַן

𐤎𐤊𐤍

çâkan

H5532 verb

SILEX Entry

Root סכן to be accustomed, to associate with, to benefit, to be useful

Definition

To be accustomed to, become familiar with, or to associate with someone or something, often implying habitual interaction or experience. In derived stems, also: to be of benefit, to be profitable or to be useful; in some contexts, to befriend or to gain knowledge through close association.

Semantic Range

to become familiar with, to be accustomed to, to be of use, to benefit, to serve profitably, to associate closely, to be in the habit of, be profitable, be serviceable, to befriend

Root / Etymology

Root: סכן (Samekh-Kaf-Nun). The root primarily signifies familiarity, habit, or association through repeated contact. From this base sense, the verb develops meanings of becoming accustomed, being beneficial or useful, and serving in a supportive or beneficial capacity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, סָכַן appears primarily in the Qal stem with the nuance of being accustomed to, or familiar with, someone or something (cf. Job 22:2; 34:9). In other stems (Hiphil, etc.) it can indicate 'to be of use' or 'to benefit.' The notion of 'ministering' or being 'serviceable' derives from the broader sense of rendering benefit or being accustomed in service. The word does not denote a formal official such as a 'treasurer'—such translations reflect later or interpretive readings. The idea of acquaintance is not confined to casual knowing but rather closer, habitual familiarity or association. Exilic and post-exilic uses are rare, with no substantial semantic shift from monarchic or earlier periods. English translations that render this as 'profit,' 'benefit,' or 'customary' may each capture aspects, but often do not fully convey the sense of relational familiarity or practice embedded in the root. The core meaning differs from related verbs like יָדַע (to know), as סָכַן suggests familiarity gained by habitual association, not simple cognitive knowledge.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary; acquaint (self), be advantage, [idiom] ever, (be, (un-)) profit(-able), treasurer, be wont.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

סכן (s-k-n) — to be accustomed, to associate closely, to benefit, to be useful

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4542 מִסְכֵּן the dependent poor man
H4544 מִסְכֵּנֻת in poverty
H5533 סָכַן the trained one

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5532-07 יִסְכָּן yisekan HVqi3ms be profitable he will become accustomed 3
H5532-08 יִסְכּ֑וֹן yisekon HVqi3ms be profitable he will become accustomed 2
H5532-06 סֹכֶ֑נֶת sokhenet HVqrfsa a caregiver associating woman 2
H5532-01 הַֽ/הַסְכֵּ֣ן hahaseken HTi/Vha wont to cause to be accustomed 1
H5532-04 הִסְכַּֽנְתָּה hisekanetah HVhp2ms you are acquainted with you have been beneficial 1
H5532-03 הַ/סֹּכֵ֣ן hasokhen HTd/Vqrmsa the steward the associating one 1
H5532-05 הִסְכַּ֔נְתִּי hisekaneti HVhp1cs to do I made accustomed 1
H5532-02 הַסְכֶּן haseken HVhv2ms Acquaint yourself Familiarize yourself 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5532-01 Numbers 22:30 הַֽ/הַסְכֵּ֣ן hahaseken HTi/Vha wont to cause to be accustomed
H5532-05 Numbers 22:30 הִסְכַּ֔נְתִּי hisekaneti HVhp1cs to do I made accustomed
H5532-06 1 Kings 1:2 סֹכֶ֑נֶת sokhenet HVqrfsa a caregiver associating woman
H5532-06 1 Kings 1:4 סֹכֶ֨נֶת֙ sokhenet HVqrfsa a nurse associating woman
H5532-03 Isaiah 22:15 הַ/סֹּכֵ֣ן hasokhen HTd/Vqrmsa the steward the associating one
H5532-04 Psalms 139:3 הִסְכַּֽנְתָּה hisekanetah HVhp2ms you are acquainted with you have been beneficial
H5532-08 Job 15:3 יִסְכּ֑וֹן yisekon HVqi3ms is profitable he will become accustomed
H5532-07 Job 22:2 יִסְכָּן yisekan HVqi3ms be profitable he will become accustomed
H5532-08 Job 22:2 יִסְכֹּ֖ן yisekon HVqi3ms be profitable he will become accustomed
H5532-02 Job 22:21 הַסְכֶּן haseken HVhv2ms Acquaint yourself Familiarize yourself
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