כֵּן
a stand, i.e. pedestal or station
Definition
The Hebrew noun כֵּן (kên) primarily means a 'stand,' 'base,' or 'pedestal.' In many of its occurrences, it refers to the physical bases or stands for the sacred furniture in the Tabernacle, such as the bronze stands for the basin (Exodus 30:18, 30:28). In a more abstract sense, it can denote a 'position,' 'office,' or 'station' in life, as seen in the story of Joseph where the chief cupbearer is restored to his 'office' (Genesis 40:13, 41:13). This dual meaning connects the concrete idea of a physical support with the metaphorical idea of a person's established role or place.
Biblical Usage
The word is used 17 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in Exodus (10 times) in detailed descriptions of the Tabernacle's construction, specifying the stands for the altar, basin, and other items (e.g., Exodus 35:16, 38:8). The non-physical sense of 'office' or 'position' appears in the narrative of Genesis (40:13, 41:13). Its usage is consistent, with the physical meaning dominating in legal/descriptive texts and the abstract meaning appearing in historical narrative.
Etymology
The noun כֵּן (kên, H3653) is derived from the identical root כֵּן (kên, H3651), which is an adverb meaning 'so,' 'thus,' or 'right.' The noun form developed from this base meaning of 'fixedness' or 'establishedness,' leading to the concepts of a firm base or a settled position. It is cognate with other Semitic words indicating firmness or truth.
Semantic Range
While primarily a descriptive term, כֵּן carries theological weight in its Tabernacle usage. The 'stands' provided the stable foundation for the holy vessels used in worship, symbolizing the order, permanence, and preparedness God requires for approaching Him. The concept of a divinely appointed 'office' or 'station,' as with Joseph's interpretation, also hints at God's sovereignty in establishing human roles within His providential plan.
In its physical sense, the 'stand' or 'base' reflects ancient Near Eastern craftsmanship and the importance of portable, stable fixtures for religious ritual objects, especially within the Israelite tent sanctuary. The concept of an 'office' or 'estate' reflects a societal structure where one's position was often fixed and integral to identity and function.
מְכוֹנָה (mekônâh, H4350) — a more general term for 'base' or 'foundation,' often of a throne or the earth. יְסוֹד (yesôd, H3245) — 'foundation,' the base layer of a building. מִשְׁמָר (mishmâr, H4931) — 'post,' 'guard,' or 'charge,' focusing on a duty or watch.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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