What does תָּכַן mean in the Bible?
e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange , equalize , through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate , test )".
Hebrew · H8505
תָּכַן
To balance , i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange , equalize , through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate , test )
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תָּכַןH8505
What does תָּכַן mean in the Bible?
תָּכַן is a Hebrew word meaning "to balance , i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange , equalize , through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate , test )".
Full entry for תָּכַן (H8505) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8505?
The BSB source-word alignment has 18 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include just (5), . . . (3), are weighed (1), are weighed out (1), has directed (1).
Where does תָּכַן appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 1 Samuel 2:3. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezekiel (9), Proverbs (3), Isaiah (2), 1 Samuel (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itjust5×Ezekiel 18:25, Ezekiel 18:29, Ezekiel 33:17, Ezekiel 33:20
. . .3×Ezekiel 18:25, Ezekiel 18:29
are weighed1×1 Samuel 2:3
are weighed out1×Proverbs 16:2
has directed1×Isaiah 40:13
or marked off1×Isaiah 40:12
the counted1×2 Kings 12:11
vvv1×Job 28:25
weighs1×Proverbs 21:2
who bear up1×Psalms 75:3
who weighs1×Proverbs 24:12
Show sample aligned rows
1 Samuel 2:3נִתְכְּנ֖וּtoare weighedVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural2 Kings 12:11הַֽמְתֻכָּ֔ןtothe countedArticle | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singularJob 28:25תִּכֵּ֥ןtovvvVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularPsalms 75:3תִכַּ֖נְתִּיtowho bear upVerb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singularProverbs 16:2וְתֹכֵ֖ןtoare weighed outConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularProverbs 21:2וְתֹכֵ֖ןtoweighsConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularProverbs 24:12תֹ֘כֵ֤ןtowho weighsVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularIsaiah 40:12תִּכֵּ֔ןtoor marked offVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularIsaiah 40:13תִכֵּ֥ןtohas directedVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularEzekiel 18:25יִתָּכֵ֖ןtojustVerb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row1 Samuel 2:3
Aligned rows18
Books represented7
1 Samuel12 Kings1Job1Psalms1Proverbs3Isaiah2Ezekiel9
Source forms
יִתָּכֵ֖ן4xyit·tā·ḵênEzekiel 18:25, Ezekiel 18:29, Ezekiel 33:17, Ezekiel 33:20
וְתֹכֵ֖ן2xwə·ṯō·ḵênProverbs 16:2, Proverbs 21:2
יִתָּכֵֽן׃2xyit·tā·ḵênEzekiel 18:29, Ezekiel 33:17
הַֽמְתֻכָּ֔ן1xham·ṯuk·kān2 Kings 12:11
יִתָּכֵ֔ן1xyit·tā·ḵênEzekiel 18:25
יִתָּֽכְנּוּ֙1xyit·tå̄·ḵən·nūEzekiel 18:29
יִתָּכֵֽנוּ׃1xyit·tā·ḵê·nūEzekiel 18:25
נִתְכְּנ֖וּ1xniṯ·kə·nū1 Samuel 2:3
Parsing patterns
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular7xEzekiel 18:25, Ezekiel 18:29, Ezekiel 33:17, Ezekiel 33:20
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular3xJob 28:25, Isaiah 40:12, Isaiah 40:13
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2xProverbs 16:2, Proverbs 21:2
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural2xEzekiel 18:25, Ezekiel 18:29
Article | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular1x2 Kings 12:11
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural1x1 Samuel 2:3
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular1xPsalms 75:3
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1xProverbs 24:12
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to balance , i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange , equalize , through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate , test )
Source Gloss
to balance , i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange , equalize , through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate , test )
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to balance, i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate, test) BDB: regulate Usage: bear up, direct, be (un-)equal, mete, ponder, tell, weigh.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups3Aligned forms15
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action10×
ImperfectEzek 18:25 · Ezek 18:29 · Ezek 33:17 · Ezek 33:209×
Perfect1Sam 2:31×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action4×
PerfectIsa 40:12 · Isa 40:13 · Job 28:25 · Ps 75:44×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense1×
Participle activeProv 24:121×
Word Origins
תָּכַן is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.