from זוּן; properly, nourished (or fully developed), i.e. a form or sort; divers kinds, [idiom] all manner of store.
Transliteration:zan
Pronunciation:zan
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H2177 (זַן, *zan*) derives from the verbal root זוּן (H2109), which signifies "to feed" or "to nourish." This etymological connection is crucial to understanding its semantic development. Properly, H2177 carries the sense of something that has been "nourished" or "fully developed," thereby reaching its distinct form or nature. From this foundational idea, its meaning extends to denote a "form," "sort," or "kind." In its plural form, it can convey "divers kinds" or, idiomatically, "all manner of store," implying a rich variety and abundance of specific types of goods or provisions. The progression from "nourishment" to "full development" and then to "distinct kind" underscores the idea of a well-defined category or type.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H2177 appears in the Hebrew Bible in two distinct contexts, illustrating its semantic breadth:
1. **Classification of People:** In [[2 Kings 24:14]], the text describes Nebuchadnezzar's deportation of the inhabitants of Jerusalem: "And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land." Here, זַן (in the construct form זַן) is translated as "sort" or "class," referring to the "poorest sort" (דַּלַּת זַן) of the populace. This usage categorizes a specific group within the broader population, highlighting their social standing or condition. It speaks to a differentiation among people based on their economic or social status.
2. **Variety of Provisions:** In [[Psalm 144:13]], the word is used in a prayer for national prosperity: "That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets." The phrase "all manner of store" (מִזְּנֵי) employs the plural construct form of H2177, signifying "from various kinds" or "from all sorts." In this context, it refers to the diverse types of produce and provisions that would fill the storehouses, indicating not just abundance, but a rich variety of goods. This usage directly reflects the "divers kinds" aspect of its definition, emphasizing comprehensive provision.
These two occurrences demonstrate H2177's application to both animate (people) and inanimate (provisions) subjects, consistently conveying the idea of distinct categories or types.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to H2177 is its verbal root זוּן (H2109), meaning "to feed," "to nourish," or "to sustain." This root undergirds the concept of זַן as something that has achieved its full form through nourishment.
Other Hebrew words that convey the idea of "kind" or "sort" include:
* מִין (H4327): Often translated "kind" or "species," particularly prominent in the Genesis creation accounts where living things are created "after their kind" (e.g., [[Genesis 1:11]], [[Genesis 1:21]]). While H2177 and H4327 both denote categories, H4327 typically refers to biological species, whereas H2177 has a broader application to any distinct type or sort.
* מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940): Meaning "family," "clan," or "kind," often used for social groupings (e.g., [[Numbers 1:2]]).
The concept of "store" or "abundance" found in [[Psalm 144:13]] relates to words like:
* שֶׁפַע (H8228): "abundance," "plenty."
* רֹב (H7230): "multitude," "abundance."
The semantic field of H2177 thus touches upon themes of classification, variety, provision, and sustenance, all rooted in the idea of distinct forms or types.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2177 is subtly profound, particularly when considered in light of its root זוּן (H2109), "to nourish."
1. **Divine Provision and Abundance:** In [[Psalm 144:13]], the prayer for "all manner of store" (מִזְּנֵי) speaks directly to God's character as the ultimate Provider. The desire for "divers kinds" of provisions highlights not merely sustenance, but a rich, varied, and comprehensive abundance. This reflects the generosity of God, who does not just provide the bare necessities but delights in blessing His people with a fullness that includes variety and richness. It is a testament to His faithfulness in sustaining life in all its forms.
2. **Divine Ordering and Distinction:** While not as explicit as H4327 ("kind") in the creation narrative, the use of H2177 to denote "sort" or "kind" (e.g., "poorest sort" in [[2 Kings 24:14]]) implicitly acknowledges a divine allowance or ordering of distinct categories within creation and society. Even in judgment, as seen in the deportation, God's comprehensive dealings encompass all "sorts" of people. This points to a God who establishes and recognizes distinctions, whether in social strata or in the diverse forms of His creation.
3. **Holistic Sustenance:** The connection to "nourishment" (H2109) suggests that God's sustenance is not monolithic but multifaceted, providing for every "kind" or "sort" of need. This extends beyond mere physical sustenance to the holistic well-being of His people, encompassing all aspects of life that contribute to flourishing and "full development."
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2177 (זַן, *zan*) is a noun derived from the root זוּן (H2109), meaning "to nourish." This etymological foundation gives זַן the core meaning of something "nourished" or "fully developed," leading to its primary senses of "form," "sort," or "kind." In its plural usage, it can signify "divers kinds" or "all manner of store."
Biblically, H2177 appears in two key contexts:
* In [[2 Kings 24:14]], it describes a specific "sort" or "class" of people ("the poorest sort"), highlighting social distinctions.
* In [[Psalm 144:13]], it refers to "all manner of store," emphasizing a rich variety and abundance of provisions.
Theologically, H2177 underscores God's character as the benevolent Provider who offers not just sustenance but a rich and diverse abundance to His people. It also implicitly points to God's meticulous ordering of creation and society, where distinct "kinds" or "sorts" exist under His sovereign hand. The word thus encapsulates both the divine provision of varied blessings and the recognition of diverse categories within creation.
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