תֹּרֶן
𐤕𐤓𐤍
tôren
H8650 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Upright wooden pole, especially a mast of a ship, or a pole set upright to hold a standard or signal (such as a flag or banner). In some contexts, it may refer generally to any prominent pole or mast-like structure, but most often denotes the tall spar used on ships for mounting sails or, figuratively, a signal pole.
Semantic Range
mast (of a ship), signal pole, beacon pole, flagstaff, prominent upright post; figurative for isolated or conspicuous marker
Root / Etymology
Likely derived from the root אור or the noun אֹרֶן ('oren), meaning 'pine' or 'fir,' indicating a tall, straight tree suitable for making masts or poles. The etymology remains somewhat uncertain, as the direct verbal root is not attested for this noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תֹּרֶן appears infrequently (e.g., Isaiah 30:17; Ezekiel 27:5) and is typically associated with imagery of ships or signals. In Isaiah 30:17, its usage is metaphorical, referring to a solitary standard or pole on a hill, signifying isolation or conspicuousness. In Ezekiel 27:5, it designates the mast of a Tyrian merchant ship, reflecting knowledge of maritime technology, likely influenced by Phoenician contact. The word bears technical connotations in nautical contexts but can also symbolize visibility, prominence, or rallying points in poetic and prophetic passages. English translations such as "mast," "beacon," or "pole" capture aspects of the meaning but may not sufficiently convey its maritime or signal-bearing nuances in all contexts. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for signposts, ensigns, or banners (e.g., נֵס nes), which may overlap in metaphor but have distinct lexical histories and uses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably for אֹרֶן; a pole (as a mast or flagstaff); beacon, mast.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אור / ארן (ʾ-w-r / ʾ-r-n) — brightness, straight tall tree (pine/fir), upright prominence
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8650-02 |
תָּרְנָ/ם֙ | tarenam | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their mast | their mast | 1 |
H8650-01 |
כַּ/תֹּ֨רֶן֙ | katoren | HRd/Ncmsa |
like a mast | like a mast-pole | 1 |
H8650-03 |
תֹּ֖רֶן | toren | HNcmsa |
a mast | mast-pole | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8650-01 |
Isaiah 30:17 | כַּ/תֹּ֨רֶן֙ | katoren | HRd/Ncmsa |
like a mast | like a mast-pole |
H8650-02 |
Isaiah 33:23 | תָּרְנָ/ם֙ | tarenam | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their mast | their mast |
H8650-03 |
Ezekiel 27:5 | תֹּ֖רֶן | toren | HNcmsa |
a mast | mast-pole |