עָקָן
𐤏𐤒𐤍
Aqan
H6130 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper name designating a descendant of Seir the Horite and an Edomite (Idumaean) chief; the name’s lexical meaning is uncertain but may be associated with the idea of twisting or crookedness. As a personal or clan name, its meaning does not directly affect translation but may carry connotations dependent on its etymology.
Semantic Range
proper name of an Edomite/Horite chief, possibly with the sense 'twisted' or 'crooked' (but this is purely etymological and not a lexical meaning in texts themselves)
Root / Etymology
Derived perhaps from an unused Hebrew root עָקַן (ʿ-q-n), tentatively associated with the base עָקַן meaning 'to twist' (ultimately reflected in related Semitic roots), but no cognate verb is attested in Biblical Hebrew. Closely related to the name יַעֲקָן (Jaakan), which appears in parallel genealogical lists. Etymology remains uncertain due to lack of direct evidence.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עָקָן appears in genealogical lists as a chief descended from Seir the Horite and an ancestor of Edomite clans (Gen 36:27; 1 Chr 1:42). Its occurrence is limited to these settings. The term is sometimes rendered as 'Akan' in English Bibles, but ethnic and geographic associations point directly to Edomite heritage rather than the later 'Idumaean' term; use of the latter should be limited to Hellenistic or Roman contexts. The alternate spelling יַעֲקָן (Jaakan) found in parallel lists (Deut 10:6; 1 Chr 1:42) suggests possible textual variation or dialectal difference, not necessarily a distinct historical figure. The translation tradition sometimes conflates this name with Jaakan; however, the Masoretic Text distinguishes עָקָן from יַעֲקָן. The speculative meaning 'twisted' or 'tortuous' does not clearly inform the narrative and should not be pressed in translation or interpretation. The name does not occur outside genealogical contexts, and there is no evidence for usage as a common noun or adjective.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to twist; tortuous; Akan, an Idummaean; Akan. Compare יַעֲקָן.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עקן (ʿ-q-n) — to twist, to be crooked
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3292 | יַעֲקָן | Yaʿaqan |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6130-01 |
וַ/עֲקָֽן | vaaqan | HC/Np |
and Akan | and Aqan | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6130-01 |
Genesis 36:27 | וַ/עֲקָֽן | vaaqan | HC/Np |
and Akan | and Aqan |