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פַּדָּן

𐤐𐤃𐤍

Padan

H6307 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A geographic term referring to a broad, fertile plateau region in northwestern Mesopotamia, most frequently appearing as part of the compound name Paddan-aram, meaning 'the (broad) plain of Aram.' The term designates a distinct area associated in the Hebrew Bible with the extended family of the patriarchal ancestors, particularly as the homeland of Laban and the residence of Rebekah's kin. Notably, 'Paddan' on its own always serves as a shortened form for the fuller place name, rather than an independent toponym.

Semantic Range

broad plain, plateau, tableland (of Aram), specific region of northwestern Mesopotamia, homeland of Rebekah's family, area associated with Arameans, always as a geographic designation in a patriarchal context

Root / Etymology

Root likely פדן, but etymology is uncertain. While Strong suggested an unused root meaning 'to extend,' the word appears only as a geographic designation and outside the biblical text is unattested as a common noun or root. The full form פַּדַּן אֲרָם (Paddan-aram) combines פַּדָּן with אֲרָם, indicating 'the plain/plateau of Aram.' The term may be related to Northwest Semitic place-names or be a loanword, but its precise derivation remains unclear.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פַּדָּן occurs exclusively in Genesis, nearly always as פַּדַּן אֲרָם or with suffixes referring to it (e.g., אֶרֶץ פַּדָּן אֲרָם), and is closely linked to the patriarchal narratives of Isaac, Jacob, and their kin. The region is associated with the Arameans and marks a familial and marital homeland for the matriarchs of Israel. It is referenced in relation to Haran but should not be confused with it; rather, it is a broader region within which Haran is situated. Later translations and traditions sometimes conflate or obscure the distinction between Paddan-aram and Aram more generally. The rendering 'Syria' in some versions is not historically precise. The term does not denote ethnic identity but a region linked by familial and historical association.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to extend; a plateau; or פַּדַּן אֲרָם; from the same and אֲרָם; the table-land of Aram; Paddan or Paddan-Aram, a region of Syria; Padan, Padan-aram.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פדן (p-d-n) — extend, stretch, broad plain, plateau

Root פדן (uncertain, possibly to extend, stretch)

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6307-01 אֲרָ֑ם aram HNp Aram Aram highland Padan 10
H6307-03 מִ/פַּדַּ֖ן mipadan HR/Np from Paddan from the Paddan plateau from Padan 4
H6307-04 פַּדֶּ֣נָֽ/ה padenah HNp/Sd Paddan-aram toward Paddan-plateau Padan 4
H6307-02 בְּ/פַדַּ֣ן befadan HR/Np in Paddan in the Paddan plateau in Padan 3

Occurrences in Scripture

21 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6307-03 Genesis 25:20 מִ/פַּדַּ֖ן mipadan HR/Np from Paddan from the Paddan plateau from Padan
H6307-01 Genesis 25:20 אֲרָ֑ם aram HNp Aram Aram highland Padan
H6307-04 Genesis 28:2 פַּדֶּ֣נָֽ/ה padenah HNp/Sd to Paddan toward Paddan-plateau Padan
H6307-01 Genesis 28:2 אֲרָ֔ם aram HNp Aram Aram highland Padan
H6307-04 Genesis 28:5 פַּדֶּ֣נָֽ/ה padenah HNp/Sd to Paddan-aram toward Paddan-plateau Padan
H6307-01 Genesis 28:5 אֲרָ֑ם aram HNp Aram Aram highland Padan
H6307-04 Genesis 28:6 פַּדֶּ֣נָֽ/ה padenah HNp/Sd Paddan toward Paddan-plateau Padan
H6307-01 Genesis 28:6 אֲרָ֔ם aram HNp Aram Aram highland Padan
H6307-04 Genesis 28:7 פַּדֶּ֥נָֽ/ה padenah HNp/Sd Paddan-aram toward Paddan-plateau Padan
H6307-01 Genesis 28:7 אֲרָֽם aram HNp Aram Aram highland Padan
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