תְּכוּנָה
𐤕𐤊𐤅𐤍𐤄
tᵉkûwnâh
H8498 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Standard arrangement or established measure; refers to that which is fixed, set up, or established—often used for the structure, arrangement, or configuration of something. In some contexts, it describes the order or composition of the heavens, specific arrangements in nature, or appointed measures.
Semantic Range
structure, arrangement, established measure, configuration, appointed order, form, established pattern
Root / Etymology
tekunah derives from the root תָּכַן (t-k-n), meaning 'to measure, regulate, arrange, set in order.' The noun form emphasizes the outcome of setting in order—a fixed arrangement or established configuration. As a feminine noun, it denotes the result of a process of measuring or organizing, not the act itself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used sparingly in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., 1 Kings 7:20, Job 23:3, Proverbs 2:2), tekunah describes physical arrangement (such as architectural details), the established order of creation, or more abstractly a measured pattern. In late biblical and postbiblical contexts, the semantic field narrows toward 'form' or 'configuration.' Standard English translations render it as 'structure,' 'design,' or 'arrangement,' but these sometimes obscure its connotation of measured, deliberate establishment. The term is distinct from תַּבְנִית (tabnit, 'pattern, model'), which emphasizes visual or constructed likeness, and from מַעֲרָכָה (ma‘arakhah, 'order, array'), which refers to arrangement but less to measured establishment. The word does not refer directly to 'equipment' in the sense of tools or gear, despite the implication of 'equippage' in some older glosses. The meaning is closely tied to concepts of divinely established order or design, especially in poetic or wisdom literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine passive participle of תָּכַן; adjustment, i.e. structure; by implication, equipage; fashion, store.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תכן (t-k-n) — measure, regulate, arrange, set in order
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4971 | מַתְכֹנֶת | by her prescribed measure |
| H8505 | תָּכַן | the measured one |
| H8506 | תֹּכֶן | measured quantity |
| H8507 | תֹּכֶן | and Measurement-place |
| H8508 | תׇּכְנִית | measured pattern |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8498-02 |
וּ/תְכוּנָת֡/וֹ | utekhunato | HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
and-arrangement-its | and his established order | 1 |
H8498-01 |
לַ/תְּכוּנָ֔ה | latekhunah | HRd/Ncfsa |
to-steadiness | to the established arrangement | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8498-02 |
Ezekiel 43:11 | וּ/תְכוּנָת֡/וֹ | utekhunato | HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
and-arrangement-its | and his established order |
H8498-01 |
Nahum 2:10 | לַ/תְּכוּנָ֔ה | latekhunah | HRd/Ncfsa |
to-steadiness | to the established arrangement |