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◄ 2205. zaqen►

Lexical Summary

zaqen: Old, Elder, Aged

Original Word:זָקֵן
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:zaqen
Pronunciation:zah-KANE
Phonetic Spelling:(zaw-kane')
KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men andwomen), senator
NASB:elders, old, old man, old men, aged, elder, old women
Word Origin:[fromH2204 (זָקֵן - old)]

1. old

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

aged, ancient man, elder, old man, men and

Fromzaqen; old -- aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator.

see HEBREWzaqen

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same aszaqan
Definition
old
NASB Translation
aged (3), aged* (1), elder (3), elders (132), old (21), old man (7), old men (7), old women (1), older (1), oldest (1), senior (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

, absoluteGenesis 19:4 30t. (on distinction from verb see above); constructGenesis 24:2; pluralGenesis 18:11 44t.;Zechariah 8:4; constructGenesis 50:7 85t.; suffixLamentations 1:19,Deuteronomy 21:2;Deuteronomy 32:7,Joshua 8:33 3t.,Judges 8:14,Exodus 10:9;Joshua 9:11,Deuteronomy 5:20 2t.; —

old, of human beings, as adjective predicateGenesis 18:11 (J),Job 32:4 ( , in comparison), or attributiveGenesis 44:20 (J),Judges 19:16,17,20,22,1 Kings 13:11,25,29,Ecclesiastes 4:13; probably alsoGenesis 35:29 (P),Job 42:17 andGenesis 25:8 (P) according to Sam Di; compare alsoEzra 3:12.

usually as substantive:

old man (or woman),

elder;old manGenesis 43:27 (J),Leviticus 19:32 (H),Deuteronomy 28:50;Deuteronomy 32:7 ("" ),1 Samuel 2:31,32;1 Samuel 28:14;Isaiah 47:6;Job 12:20;Job 32:9;Proverbs 17:6;Proverbs 20:29;Psalm 119:100;Joel 1:2;old men and old womenZechariah 8:4 (twice in verse); compareGenesis 24:2 (J),2 Samuel 12:17; especially opposed toExodus 10:9 (E),Isaiah 3:5;Isaiah 20:4;Jeremiah 51:22;Lamentations 2:21;Psalm 148:12, and in phraseGenesis 19:4 (J),Joshua 6:21 (JE),Esther 3:13; opposed to1 Kings 12:6,8,13 2Chron 10:6; 10:8; 10:13; opposed toJeremiah 31:13;Ezekiel 9:6;Joel 3:1, compare 2Chronicles 36:17 (+ ) andJeremiah 6:11 (+ ); opposed toIsaiah 65:20; opposed to andJoel 2:16. usually pluralelders, as having authority, term techn. (100 t. +); elders of a people, especially IsraelExodus 3:16,18;Exodus 12:21 (all J),Exodus 17:5,6;Exodus 18:12;Exodus 19:7;Exodus 24:1,9,14;Joshua 24:1 (all E),Numbers 11:16 (twice in verse) (),Numbers 11:24;Numbers 11:25;Numbers 11:30;Numbers 16:25;Joshua 7:6;Joshua 8:10;Joshua 9:11 (all J E),Deuteronomy 5:20 ("" ),Deuteronomy 27:1;Deuteronomy 29:9 ("" , ),Deuteronomy 31:9,28;Joshua 8:33 ("" ),Joshua 23:2 ("" , , ); compare also probablyJoshua 24:31 =Judges 2:7 (all D);Leviticus 9:1, compareLeviticus 4:15 ( both P),Judges 21:16; see also1 Samuel 4:3;1 Samuel 8:4;1 Samuel 15:30;2 Samuel 3:17;2 Samuel 5:3 =1 Chronicles 11:3;2 Samuel 17:4,15;1 Kings 8:1,32Chronicles 5:2,4, also1 Chronicles 15:25;1 Chronicles 21:16; compareIsaiah 3:2 ( ),Isaiah 9:14 ("" , but see probably gloss, compare Ew Che Di Du and others); elders of one tribe (Judah)1 Samuel 30:26;2 Samuel 19:12, so of GileadJudges 11:5,7,8,9,10,11; after the division of the kingdoms, of Northern Israel1 Kings 20:7 compare1 Kings 20:8, also2 Kings 6:32 (twice in verse);2 Kings 10:1 ("" etc.) compare2 Kings 10:5; under Josiah2 Kings 23:1 2Chronicles 34:29; see alsoJeremiah 26:17, compareProverbs 31:23, compareLamentations 1:19;Lamentations 2:10;Lamentations 4:16;Lamentations 5:12,14 ("" ; + ); often in Ezek.:Ezekiel 7:26 ("" ), of JudahEzekiel 8:1, of IsraelEzekiel 8:11,12;Ezekiel 14:1;Ezekiel 20:1,3, alsoEzekiel 9:6 (but strike out Co). ExilicJeremiah 29:1 ("" , ); post-exileEzra 10:8 ("" ), possibly alsoJoel 1:14; elders ofIsaiah 24:23 (compareExodus 24:1,9),2 Kings 19:2 =Isaiah 37:2, soJeremiah 19:1 ("" ); of other peoples, MidianNumbers 22:4,7, MoabNumbers 22:7 (all E), EgyptPsalm 105:22 ("" ); of GebalEzekiel 27:9; elders of a city, especially as sitting in the gate to judgeDeuteronomy 19:12;Deuteronomy 21:2 (+ )Deuteronomy 21:3;Deuteronomy 21:4;Deuteronomy 21:6;Deuteronomy 21:19 (+ ),Deuteronomy 21:20;Deuteronomy 22:15 (+ ),Deuteronomy 22:16;Deuteronomy 22:17;Deuteronomy 22:18;Deuteronomy 25:7 (+ ),Deuteronomy 25:8;Deuteronomy 25:9 (all in Deuteronomic code, and only so therein),Ruth 4:2,4,9,11 (compareRuth 4:1;Ruth 4:11),Psalm 107:32 ("" );Judges 8:14 ("" ),Judges 8:16;1 Samuel 11:3;1 Samuel 16:4;1 Kings 21:8,11;Ezra 10:14.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

זָקֵן (zaqen) appears roughly one‐hundred-seventy-nine times in the Hebrew Scriptures, functioning both as an adjective describing advanced age and as a noun signifying a recognized office of community leadership. Scripture presents old age not merely as chronology but as a God-given season for wisdom, counsel, and covenant service.

Old Age as a Stage of Life

• Patriarchs: “By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way” (Genesis 24:1). Sarah (Genesis 18:11), Isaac (Genesis 27:1), Jacob (Genesis 48:10), and Joseph (Genesis 50:22-23) share the description, grounding the history of redemption in venerable lives.
• National Leaders: “Joshua was old, advanced in years. So the LORD said to him, ‘You are old, advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed’” (Joshua 13:1). Age does not excuse from mission; it reframes it.
• Individual Portraits: Barzillai (2 Samuel 19:31-35) and Caleb (Joshua 14:10-11) illustrate vigor and faithfulness in later years.Job 12:12 underscores expectation of insight: “Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.”

Zaqen as a Title of Leadership

Beginning in Exodus, “elders of Israel” emerges as a fixed designation. Moses is told, “Go, assemble the elders of Israel…” (Exodus 3:16). Seventy are endued with the Spirit to help bear the burden of governance (Numbers 11:16-25). The title soon encompasses:
• National elders (Exodus 24:9-11;Deuteronomy 27:1)
• Tribal elders (Joshua 22:13-14)
• City elders who sit in the gate (Deuteronomy 21:19;Ruth 4:1-11)
• Elders of priestly and prophetic assemblies (Ezekiel 8:1; 20:1-3)

Judicial and Civic Function

The Torah instructs elders to investigate homicide (Deuteronomy 19:12), oversee family discipline (Deuteronomy 21:18-21), arbitrate marital disputes (Deuteronomy 22:15-18), and administer levirate responsibilities (Deuteronomy 25:7-9). Their forum is the gate—public, accountable, and rooted in covenant law.

Covenant and Worship Contexts

Elders slaughter the communal sin offering (Leviticus 4:15) and supervise Passover preparation (Exodus 12:21). At Sinai they approach the divine presence, prefiguring the union of governance and worship later seen in Davidic and Solomonic liturgies (1 Chronicles 15:25;2 Chronicles 5:2-12).

Engagement during the Monarchy

The elders negotiate Saul’s accession (1 Samuel 8:4-6), confirm David (2 Samuel 5:3), and counsel kings (1 Kings 20:7). Their fidelity varies: they conspire against Naboth (1 Kings 21:8-11) yet accompany Josiah’s reform (2 Kings 23:1). Prophets address them as covenant representatives (Isaiah 3:14;Joel 1:2).

Wisdom Literature Perspective

Proverbs 16:31 speaks of gray hair as a “crown of glory.”Job 32 cautions that true wisdom is Spirit-given, not automatic with age.Ecclesiastes 12 poetically details bodily decline, urging remembrance of the Creator before strength fades.

Promise and Comfort to the Aged

Psalm 92:14 assures, “In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain.”Isaiah 46:4 echoes divine commitment: “Even to your old age I will remain the same, and even to your gray hairs I will carry you.” The aged saint remains an instrument of testimony (Psalm 71:17-18).

Foreshadowing New Covenant Eldership

The Greek presbyteros corresponds directly, sustaining the pattern of spiritually mature overseers (Acts 14:23;1 Peter 5:1-4). While zaqen highlights chronological seniority, the New Testament focuses on character qualification, yet both uphold leadership by proven, godly men.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Respect and Honor:Leviticus 19:32 commands physical and moral deference.
2. Succession: Older believers mentor the next generation, as Moses with Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9).
3. Congregational Health: A balanced body values seasoned guidance alongside youthful vigor (Proverbs 20:29).
4. Pastoral Care: Encourage the aged to serve through prayer, counsel, and witness; protect them from marginalization.

Representative References

Genesis 18:11; 24:1

Exodus 3:16; 12:21; 24:9-11

Leviticus 4:15; 19:32

Numbers 11:16-25

Deuteronomy 19:12; 21:19; 31:9

Job 12:12; 32:7-9

Forms and Transliterations

בַּזָּקֵ֔ן בזקן הַזְּקֵנִ֑ים הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים הַזְּקֵנִ֖ים הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים הַזְּקֵנִ֣ים הַזְּקֵנִ֤ים הַזְּקֵנִֽים׃ הַזְּקֵנִים֒ הַזְּקֵנִים֙ הַזְקֵנִ֤ים הַזָּקֵ֔ן הַזָּקֵ֖ן הַזָּקֵ֛ן הַזָּקֵן֙ הזקן הזקנים הזקנים׃ וְהַזְּקֵנִ֔ים וְהַזְּקֵנִ֖ים וְהַזְּקֵנִ֛ים וְהַזְּקֵנִים֩ וְזִקְנֵ֣י וְזִקְנֵ֥י וְזִקְנֵ֧י וְזִקְנֵ֨י וְזִקְנֵיכֶֽם׃ וְזָקֵ֔ן וְזָקֵֽן׃ וּ֝זְקֵנִ֗ים וּבִזְקֵנֵ֖ינוּ וּזְקֵנ֔וֹת וּזְקֵנִ֖ים וּזְקֵנַ֖י וּזְקֵנָ֡יו וּזְקֵנָ֥יו וּלְזִקְנֵ֖י וּמִזִּקְנֵ֖י וּמִזִּקְנֵ֣י ובזקנינו והזקנים וזקן וזקן׃ וזקנות וזקני וזקניו וזקניכם׃ וזקנים ולזקני ומזקני זְ֝קֵנִ֗ים זְ֭קֵנִים זְֽקֵינֵינוּ֩ זְֽקֵנִים־ זְקֵנִ֔ים זְקֵנִ֖ים זְקֵנִ֗ים זְקֵנִ֣ים זְקֵנִים֙ זְקֵנֶ֔יהָ זְקֵנֶ֖יךָ זְקֵנָ֖יו זְקַ֣ן זִקְנֵ֖י זִקְנֵ֣י זִקְנֵ֤י זִקְנֵ֥י זִקְנֵ֥י־ זִקְנֵ֨י זִקְנֵֽי־ זִקְנֵי֙ זִקְנֵי֩ זִקְנֵי־ זִקְנֵיכֶם֙ זָקֵ֑ן זָקֵ֔ן זָקֵ֕ן זָקֵ֖ן זָקֵ֗ן זָקֵ֛ן זָקֵ֡ן זָקֵ֣ן זָקֵ֥ן זָקֵ֨ן זָקֵן֙ זקינינו זקן זקני זקני־ זקניה זקניו זקניך זקניכם זקנים זקנים־ לְזִקְנֵ֣י לְזִקְנֵ֥י לְזִקְנֵ֨י לְזָקֵ֔ן לִזְקֵנָיו֙ לַזְּקֵנִ֜ים לזקן לזקני לזקניו לזקנים מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים מִזְּקֵנִֽים׃ מִזִּקְנֵ֖י מִזִּקְנֵ֣י מִזִּקְנֵ֥י מזקני מזקנים מזקנים׃ baz·zā·qên bazzaKen bazzāqên haz·qê·nîm haz·zā·qên haz·zə·qê·nîm hazkeNim hazqênîm hazzaKen hazzāqên hazzekeNim hazzəqênîm laz·zə·qê·nîm lazzekeNim lazzəqênîm lə·zā·qên lə·ziq·nê lezaKen ləzāqên lezikNei ləziqnê liz·qê·nāw lizkeNav lizqênāw miz·zə·qê·nîm miz·ziq·nê mizzekeNim mizzəqênîm mizzikNei mizziqnê ū·ḇiz·qê·nê·nū ū·lə·ziq·nê ū·miz·ziq·nê ū·zə·qê·nāw ū·zə·qê·nay ū·zə·qê·nîm ū·zə·qê·nō·wṯ ūḇizqênênū ulezikNei ūləziqnê umizzikNei ūmizziqnê uvizkeNeinu uzekeNai uzekeNav uzekeNim uzekeNot ūzəqênāw ūzəqênay ūzəqênîm ūzəqênōwṯ vehazzekeNim vezaKen vezikNei vezikneiChem wə·haz·zə·qê·nîm wə·zā·qên wə·ziq·nê wə·ziq·nê·ḵem wəhazzəqênîm wəzāqên wəziqnê wəziqnêḵem zā·qên zaKen zāqên zə·qan zə·qê·nāw zə·qê·ne·hā zə·qê·ne·ḵā zə·qê·nê·nū zə·qê·nîm zə·qê·nîm- zeKan zekeineiNu zekeNav zekeNeicha zekeNeiha zekeNim zəqan zəqênāw zəqênehā zəqêneḵā zəqênênū zəqênîm zəqênîm- zikNei zikneiChem ziq·nê ziq·nê- ziq·nê·ḵem ziqnê ziqnê- ziqnêḵem

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Interlinear Greek •Interlinear Hebrew •Strong's Numbers •Englishman's Greek Concordance •Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •Parallel Texts

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 18:11
HEB:וְאַבְרָהָ֤ם וְשָׂרָה֙ זְקֵנִ֔ים בָּאִ֖ים בַּיָּמִ֑ים
NAS: and Sarahwere old, advanced
KJV: and Sarah[were] old [and] well stricken
INT: now Abraham and Sarahwere old advanced age

Genesis 19:4
HEB:מִנַּ֖עַר וְעַד־ זָקֵ֑ן כָּל־ הָעָ֖ם
NAS: both youngand old, all the people
KJV: round,both old and young,
INT: young againstand old all the people

Genesis 24:2
HEB:אֶל־ עַבְדּוֹ֙ זְקַ֣ן בֵּית֔וֹ הַמֹּשֵׁ֖ל
NAS: to his servant,the oldest of his household,
KJV: saidunto his eldest servant
INT: to his servantthe oldest of his household had

Genesis 25:8
HEB:בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טוֹבָ֖ה זָקֵ֣ן וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף
NAS: old age,an old man and satisfied
KJV: old age,an old man, and full
INT: old A ripean old and satisfied was gathered

Genesis 35:29
HEB:אֶל־ עַמָּ֔יו זָקֵ֖ן וּשְׂבַ֣ע יָמִ֑ים
NAS: to his people,an old man of ripe
KJV: unto his people,[being] old and full
INT: to his peoplean old of ripe age

Genesis 43:27
HEB:הֲשָׁל֛וֹם אֲבִיכֶ֥ם הַזָּקֵ֖ן אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲמַרְתֶּ֑ם
NAS: and said,Is your old father
KJV: well,the old man of whom ye spake?
INT: well fatheris your old of whom and said

Genesis 44:20
HEB:לָ֙נוּ֙ אָ֣ב זָקֵ֔ן וְיֶ֥לֶד זְקֻנִ֖ים
NAS: We havean old father
KJV: a father,an old man, and a child
INT: have fatheran old child of old

Genesis 50:7
HEB:עַבְדֵ֤י פַרְעֹה֙ זִקְנֵ֣י בֵית֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל
NAS: of Pharaoh,the elders of his household
KJV: of Pharaoh,the elders of his house,
INT: the servants of Pharaohthe elders of his household and all

Genesis 50:7
HEB:בֵית֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל זִקְנֵ֥י אֶֽרֶץ־ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
NAS: and allthe elders of the land
KJV: of his house,and all the elders of the land
INT: of his household and allthe elders of the land of Egypt

Exodus 3:16
HEB:וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞ אֶת־ זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֤
NAS: and gatherthe elders of Israel
KJV: and gatherthe elders of Israel
INT: Go and gatherthe elders of Israel and say

Exodus 3:18
HEB:וּבָאתָ֡ אַתָּה֩ וְזִקְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶל־
NAS: to what you say;and you with the elders of Israel
KJV: and thou shalt come,thou and the elders of Israel,
INT: will come youthe elders of Israel to

Exodus 4:29
HEB:אֶת־ כָּל־ זִקְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
NAS: allthe elders of the sons
KJV: and gathered togetherall the elders of the children
INT: and assembled allthe elders of the sons of Israel

Exodus 10:9
HEB:מֹשֶׁ֔ה בִּנְעָרֵ֥ינוּ וּבִזְקֵנֵ֖ינוּ נֵלֵ֑ךְ בְּבָנֵ֨ינוּ
NAS: with our youngand our old; with our sons
KJV: with our youngand with our old, with our sons
INT: Moses our youngand our old shall go our sons

Exodus 12:21
HEB:מֹשֶׁ֛ה לְכָל־ זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
NAS: for allthe elders of Israel
KJV: calledfor all the elders of Israel,
INT: Moses for allthe elders of Israel and said

Exodus 17:5
HEB:וְקַ֥ח אִתְּךָ֖ מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּמַטְּךָ֗
NAS: with you someof the elders of Israel;
KJV: and takewith thee of the elders of Israel;
INT: and take forof the elders of Israel your staff

Exodus 17:6
HEB:מֹשֶׁ֔ה לְעֵינֵ֖י זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
NAS: in the sightof the elders of Israel.
KJV: so in the sightof the elders of Israel.
INT: and Moses the sightof the elders of Israel

Exodus 18:12
HEB:אַהֲרֹ֜ן וְכֹ֣ל ׀ זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֶאֱכָל־
NAS: with allthe elders of Israel
KJV: came,and all the elders of Israel,
INT: and Aaron allthe elders of Israel to eat

Exodus 19:7
HEB:מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיִּקְרָ֖א לְזִקְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וַיָּ֣שֶׂם
NAS: and calledthe elders of the people,
KJV: and calledfor the elders of the people,
INT: Moses and calledthe elders of the people and set

Exodus 24:1
HEB:וַאֲבִיה֔וּא וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם
NAS: and seventyof the elders of Israel,
KJV: and seventyof the elders of Israel;
INT: and Abihu and seventyof the elders of Israel shall worship

Exodus 24:9
HEB:וַאֲבִיה֔וּא וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים מִזִּקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
NAS: and seventyof the elders of Israel,
KJV: and seventyof the elders of Israel:
INT: and Abihu and seventyof the elders of Israel

Exodus 24:14
HEB: וְאֶל־ הַזְּקֵנִ֤ים אָמַר֙ שְׁבוּ־
NAS:But to the elders he said, Wait
KJV: And he saidunto the elders, Tarry
INT: tothe elders said Wait

Leviticus 4:15
HEB: וְ֠סָמְכוּ זִקְנֵ֨י הָעֵדָ֧ה אֶת־
NAS:Then the elders of the congregation
KJV:And the elders of the congregation
INT: shall laythe elders of the congregation their hands

Leviticus 9:1
HEB:לְאַהֲרֹ֖ן וּלְבָנָ֑יו וּלְזִקְנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
NAS: and his sonsand the elders of Israel;
KJV: and his sons,and the elders of Israel;
INT: Aaron and his sonsand the elders of Israel

Leviticus 19:32
HEB:וְהָדַרְתָּ֖ פְּנֵ֣י זָקֵ֑ן וְיָרֵ֥אתָ מֵּאֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
KJV: the faceof the old man, and fear
INT: and honor the faceman shall revere your God

Numbers 11:16
HEB:שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִישׁ֮ מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ אֲשֶׁ֣ר
NAS: menfrom the elders of Israel,
KJV: menof the elders of Israel,
INT: seventy menthe elders of Israel whom

179 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2205
179 Occurrences

baz·zā·qên — 1 Occ.
haz·qê·nîm — 1 Occ.
haz·zā·qên — 6 Occ.
haz·zə·qê·nîm — 20 Occ.
laz·zə·qê·nîm — 1 Occ.
lə·zā·qên — 1 Occ.
lə·ziq·nê — 4 Occ.
liz·qê·nāw — 1 Occ.
miz·zə·qê·nîm — 2 Occ.
miz·ziq·nê — 10 Occ.
ū·lə·ziq·nê — 1 Occ.
ū·miz·ziq·nê — 2 Occ.
ū·ḇiz·qê·nê·nū — 1 Occ.
ū·zə·qê·nay — 1 Occ.
ū·zə·qê·nāw — 2 Occ.
ū·zə·qê·nîm — 4 Occ.
ū·zə·qê·nō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
wə·haz·zə·qê·nîm — 5 Occ.
wə·zā·qên — 3 Occ.
wə·ziq·nê — 8 Occ.
wə·ziq·nê·ḵem — 1 Occ.
zā·qên — 21 Occ.
zə·qan — 1 Occ.
zə·qê·nê·nū — 1 Occ.
zə·qê·nāw — 1 Occ.
zə·qê·ne·ḵā — 2 Occ.
zə·qê·ne·hā — 1 Occ.
zə·qê·nîm — 12 Occ.
ziq·nê — 62 Occ.
ziq·nê·ḵem — 2 Occ.