תִּיכוֹן
𐤕𐤉𐤊𐤅𐤍
tîykôwn
H8484 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A substantive or adjective referring to the central, middle, or innermost part of an object, structure, or space. It primarily denotes the point, area, or section equidistant from the boundaries—such as the innermost sanctuary of a temple, the middle portion of a room, or the central axis. The term may be used both of physical locations and occasionally in conceptual senses to denote centrality or median position.
Semantic Range
central, situated in the middle, innermost (chamber, part), midpoint, among (in spatial context)
Root / Etymology
From the root תָּוֶךְ (tavek), meaning 'midst, middle, the interior part.' תִּיכוֹן is a derived form (likely adjectival or substantival), indicating that which is situated in or pertaining to the middle or center. Root: תוּךְ conveys the sense of being inside or in the midst.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תִּיכוֹן occurs rarely, although its root is frequent (תָּוֶךְ, 'midst, interior'). Notably, it appears in descriptions such as the 'innermost room' (e.g., Ezekiel’s description of the temple structure, Ezek 41:7, 41:23), where it refers specifically to the central chamber or core space. The term reflects concrete spatial orientation rather than abstract or metaphorical uses. English versions often translate as 'middle' or 'central,' which aligns with the literal usage, though the nuance of 'innermost' (especially in sanctuary contexts) may be missed. The word is not associated with post-biblical terminologies and retains its spatial, architectural sense. Its occurrence is limited to priestly and architectural contexts during the later monarchic and exilic periods, with no significant semantic shift through biblical history.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or תִּיכֹן; from תָּוֶךְ; central; middle(-most), midst.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תוך (t-w-k) — midst, middle, interior, within
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8484-02 |
הַ/תִּֽיכוֹנָ֔ה | hatikhonah | HTd/Aafsa |
the middle | the central one | 5 |
H8484-01 |
הַ/תִּיכֹ֖ן | hatikhon | HTd/Aamsa |
the middle one | the central one | 2 |
H8484-04 |
וּ/מֵ/הַ/תִּֽכֹנ֖וֹת | umehatikhonot | HC/R/Td/Aafpa |
and than the middle | the middle parts | 2 |
H8484-03 |
לַ/תִּיכוֹנָֽה | latikhonah | HRd/Aafsa |
by the middle | to the central part | 1 |
H8484-05 |
וְ/הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָה֙ | vehatikhonah | HC/Td/Aafsa |
and the middle | the central (feminine) | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8484-01 |
Exodus 26:28 | הַ/תִּיכֹ֖ן | hatikhon | HTd/Aamsa |
the middle one | the central one |
H8484-01 |
Exodus 36:33 | הַ/תִּיכֹ֑ן | hatikhon | HTd/Aamsa |
the middle one | the central one |
H8484-02 |
Judges 7:19 | הַ/תִּֽיכוֹנָ֔ה | hatikhonah | HTd/Aafsa |
the-middle | the central one |
H8484-05 |
1 Kings 6:6 | וְ/הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָה֙ | vehatikhonah | HC/Td/Aafsa |
and the middle | the central (feminine) |
H8484-02 |
1 Kings 6:8 | הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה | hatikhonah | HTd/Aafsa |
the middle | the central one |
H8484-02 |
1 Kings 6:8 | הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה | hatikhonah-2 | HTd/Aafsa |
the middle | the central one |
H8484-02 |
1 Kings 6:8 | הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָ֖ה | hatikhonah-3 | HTd/Aafsa |
the middle | the central one |
H8484-02 |
2 Kings 20:4 | הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָ֑ה | hatikhonah | HTd/Aafsa |
middle | the central one |
H8484-03 |
Ezekiel 41:7 | לַ/תִּיכוֹנָֽה | latikhonah | HRd/Aafsa |
by the middle | to the central part |
H8484-04 |
Ezekiel 42:5 | וּ/מֵ/הַ/תִּֽכֹנ֖וֹת | umehatikhonot | HC/R/Td/Aafpa |
and-than-the-middle | the middle parts |