בַּחִין
𐤁𐤇𐤉𐤍
bachîyn
H971 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A siege-tower or wooden structure used by besieging forces for observation and assault during military operations. Refers specifically to a temporary watchtower erected by an attacking army to overlook city walls or fortifications, primarily for surveillance or as a platform for offensive actions.
Semantic Range
siege-tower, besiegers' watchtower, elevated platform for military observation or attack, temporary wartime tower
Root / Etymology
From the root בחן, "to examine, test, investigate"; the form בַּחִין is an alternate formation, likely referring to a structure enabling scrutiny or observation. Despite the related root, the word denotes a physical military construction, not the act of examination.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בַּחִין occurs rarely and is a variant of בַּחַן. In the context of ancient Near Eastern warfare, siege-towers or elevated platforms were constructed to allow besiegers to observe defenders' movements, direct attacks, or launch projectiles over city walls. While some English translations use 'tower,' the term specifically designates a temporary structure made by attackers, not permanent city fortifications. In Israelite and broader Levantine contexts, such tactical innovations indicate sophisticated siege practices during the monarchic and post-monarchic periods. The nuance of 'examination' from the root is present only in the functional purpose of the structure and does not denote moral or spiritual 'testing.' Later English renderings, such as 'tower' or 'watchtower,' may obscure the military and technological specificity of the term. Contrast with מִגְדָּל (migdal), which denotes a permanent, defensive city tower, rather than an offensive construction.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
another form of בַּחַן; a watch-tower of besiegers; tower.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בחן (b-ḥ-n) — examine, test, scrutinize
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H969 | בָּחוֹן | metal-examiner |
| H974 | בָּחַן | you examined |
| H975 | בַּחַן | watchtower |
| H976 | בֹּחַן | examination |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H971-02 |
בחיני/ו | vchynyv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
its-siege-towers | his siege-watchtowers | 1 |
H971-01 |
בַחוּנָ֗י/ו | vachunayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
its-siege-towers | his siege-towers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H971-02 |
Isaiah 23:13 | בחיני/ו | vchynyv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
its-siege-towers | his siege-watchtowers |
H971-01 |
Isaiah 23:13 | בַחוּנָ֗י/ו | vachunayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
its-siege-towers | his siege-towers |