טְחוֹן

a hand mill; hence, a millstone

Definition

The Hebrew noun טְחוֹן (ṭᵉchôwn) refers specifically to a hand mill or millstone used for grinding grain. It denotes the small, portable grinding implement typically operated by women in a domestic setting, as opposed to larger, animal-driven millstones. The word appears only once in the Old Testament in Lamentations 5:13, where it poignantly describes young men being forced to grind at the mill—a task symbolizing humiliation and the inversion of social order. Its meaning is directly tied to the action of grinding (from its root טָחַן, ṭāchan), and it is essentially synonymous with the concept of a millstone in this singular biblical context.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Lamentations 5:13. It appears in a context of national lament and suffering following the destruction of Jerusalem. The verse states, 'Young men are compelled to grind at the millstones (טְחוֹן), and boys stagger under loads of wood.' Here, the word is used metaphorically to depict the humiliation and forced labor inflicted upon the conquered people, as grinding was typically women's work. Its solitary usage underscores a specific moment of profound social and personal degradation.

Etymology

The noun טְחוֹן (ṭᵉchôwn) is derived from the root verb טָחַן (ṭāchan, H2912), which means 'to grind' or 'to crush.' It is a cognate noun that names the tool used for the action described by the verb. Related words in other Semitic languages, like Arabic (ṭaḥana), carry the same core meaning of grinding. The development is straightforward: from the action (to grind) comes the name for the primary implement of that action (the grinder or millstone).

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a common object, its single biblical occurrence in Lamentations 5:13 carries significant theological weight. It serves as a powerful image of covenant curse and societal breakdown. The forced labor at the millstone represents the utter humiliation and loss of dignity promised for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:41, 48). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Lamentations by highlighting how a mundane domestic tool became a symbol of national shame and the consequences of turning from God.

In ancient Israel, the hand mill (טְחוֹן) was a crucial, everyday household tool, typically consisting of two circular stones. The smaller upper stone was rotated over the larger lower stone to grind grain into flour. This labor-intensive task was primarily the work of women (Exodus 11:5; Matthew 24:41) and was a fundamental part of daily meal preparation. The image in Lamentations of young men performing this work would have been shocking to the original audience, as it represented a complete overturning of gender roles and social norms, amplifying the sense of catastrophe and disgrace.

רֵחַיִם (rêchayim, H7347) — the more common term for a pair of millstones, often used for larger installations (e.g., Judges 9:53, Matthew 24:41). פֶּלַח (pelaḥ, H6407) — a slice or millstone, used in the phrase 'a millstone' in Job 41:16.

Word Details

Scripture References