### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun זֹקֶן (zôqen, `{{H2207}}`) is derived from the root זָקֵן (zaqen, `{{H2204}}`), which functions as both a verb meaning "to be old," "to grow old," or "to become an elder," and as an adjective meaning "old" or "aged." זֹקֶן specifically denotes the abstract state or condition of "old age" or simply "age." It refers to the advanced period of life, characterized by the accumulation of years and often accompanied by the natural physical changes associated with aging. While its primary meaning is chronological, it implicitly carries connotations of the wisdom, experience, and sometimes the physical decline that often accompany advanced years. It is distinct from the person who is old (a "zaqen" or elder), focusing instead on the state itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term זֹקֶן (zôqen) appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, consistently referring to the state of old age.
* **[[Genesis 18:11]]**: "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women." Here, זֹקֶן describes the advanced age of both Abraham and Sarah, highlighting their physical inability to conceive and setting the stage for the miraculous birth of Isaac, underscoring divine power over human limitations.
* **[[Genesis 24:36]]**: "And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and to him he has given all that he has." This verse reiterates Sarah's old age at Isaac's birth, again emphasizing the extraordinary circumstances of God's promise fulfilled.
* **[[1 Samuel 2:32]]**: "And you will see distress in My dwelling, in all the good that will be done to Israel, and there will not be an old man in your house forever." This is part of the divine judgment against Eli's house, where the absence of זֹקֶן signifies a curse of truncated life and premature death for his descendants, contrasting with the typical blessing of longevity.
* **[[1 Kings 14:4]]**: "But Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his old age." This passage explicitly links זֹקֶן with physical deterioration, specifically impaired vision, as a natural consequence of advanced years.
* **[[Psalm 71:9]]**: "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails." This is a prayer of the psalmist, expressing vulnerability in זֹקֶן and appealing to God's continued faithfulness and support when physical strength wanes. It reflects a profound dependence on God in a period of natural decline.
* **[[Psalm 71:18]]**: "Even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." Similar to [[Psalm 71:9]], this verse reiterates the desire for God's presence in זֹקֶן, but adds a purpose: to continue bearing witness to God's power. Here, "old and gray" (זֹקֶן וְשֵׂיבָה) is a common merism for extreme old age.
* **[[Isaiah 46:4]]**: "Even to your old age I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you; I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." This is a powerful declaration of God's unchanging faithfulness and steadfast care for His people, promising to sustain them through all stages of life, including the infirmities of זֹקֶן and שֵׂיבָה (gray hairs, `{{H7872}}`). It contrasts God's eternal nature with human temporal limitations.
* **[[Zechariah 8:4]]**: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with his staff in his hand because of old age.'" This is a prophecy of restoration and peace for Jerusalem, where the presence of the aged, leaning on their staffs due to זֹקֶן, signifies a return to stability, prosperity, and long life, a stark contrast to previous desolation and premature death.
Across these occurrences, זֹקֶן consistently denotes the state of being old, often highlighting physical decline, vulnerability, or, conversely, the blessing of a long life under God's favor.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **זָקֵן (zaqen, `{{H2204}}`)**: This is the verbal root and adjectival form from which זֹקֶן is derived. As an adjective, it means "old" or "aged." As a verb, "to be old" or "to grow old." It also refers to an "elder," a person of significant age and often authority. The noun זֹקֶן refers to the *state* of being זָקֵן.
* **שֵׂיבָה (seybah, `{{H7872}}`)**: This noun means "gray hair" or "old age" (often by metonymy, as gray hair is a visible sign of old age). It frequently appears in parallel or conjunction with זֹקֶן (e.g., [[Psalm 71:18]], [[Isaiah 46:4]]), emphasizing the physical manifestation of aging.
* **Longevity and Blessing**: The concept of a "fullness of days" ([[Genesis 25:8]], [[Judges 8:32]]) or "long life" ([[Deuteronomy 5:16]]) is a recurring theme of divine blessing in the Old Testament, contrasting with premature death which is often a sign of judgment. זֹקֶן is the state achieved when one experiences this blessing.
* **Honor for the Aged**: The command to "rise before the gray hair and honor the face of an old man" ([[Leviticus 19:32]]), though not using זֹקֶן directly, underscores the societal value and respect accorded to those who have reached old age (זָקֵן, `{{H2204}}`), implicitly valuing the state of זֹקֶן.
### Theological Significance
The concept of זֹקֶן (old age) carries significant theological weight in the Hebrew Bible:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Life Stages**: God is presented as the one who grants זֹקֶן. He determines the length of life ([[Psalm 90:10]]) and sustains individuals through all their years, even into advanced age ([[Isaiah 46:4]]). The miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their זֹקֶן ([[Genesis 18:11]], [[Genesis 24:36]]) powerfully demonstrates God's ability to transcend natural limitations and fulfill His promises irrespective of human physical capacity.
* **A Sign of Blessing and Covenant Faithfulness**: In a society where life expectancy was often shorter, reaching זֹקֶן was frequently seen as a sign of God's favor, a reward for righteousness, and a fulfillment of covenant promises (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 5:16]] regarding honoring parents leading to long life). The prophecy in [[Zechariah 8:4]] where old men and women sit in the streets of Jerusalem signifies a restored, peaceful, and blessed community.
* **Vulnerability and Dependence on God**: זֹקֶן is also depicted as a time of physical decline and increased vulnerability ([[Psalm 71:9]], [[1 Kings 14:4]]). This vulnerability serves to highlight human dependence on God. The psalmist's prayer in [[Psalm 71]] beautifully illustrates a trust in God's continued faithfulness even when physical strength fails, emphasizing that God does not abandon His servants in their latter years.
* **Wisdom and Experience**: While זֹקֶן itself refers to the state, the *person* who is זָקֵן (an elder) is often associated with wisdom, experience, and the transmission of tradition. Though זֹקֶן primarily denotes physical age, it implicitly carries the potential for spiritual maturity and accumulated knowledge, making the aged valuable members of the community ([[Leviticus 19:32]]).
* **Contrast to Judgment**: Conversely, the absence of זֹקֶן or premature death is often a sign of divine judgment or curse, as seen in the prophecy against Eli's house ([[1 Samuel 2:32]]). This underscores the value God places on a full lifespan as a blessing.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun זֹקֶן (zôqen, `{{H2207}}`) precisely designates the state or condition of "old age." Derived from the root זָקֵן (`{{H2204}}`, "to be old"), it appears consistently throughout the Old Testament to describe advanced years. Contextual analysis reveals that זֹקֶן is associated with natural physical decline, such as impaired vision ([[1 Kings 14:4]]) and failing strength ([[Psalm 71:9]]). However, it carries profound theological significance beyond mere chronology. זֹקֶן is often portrayed as a divine blessing, a sign of God's covenant faithfulness and the reward for a life lived in righteousness, leading to a "fullness of days" ([[Zechariah 8:4]]). It also highlights human vulnerability and dependence upon God, who promises to sustain His people even into their זֹקֶן and שֵׂיבָה ([[Isaiah 46:4]]). Conversely, the absence of זֹקֶן or premature death can signify divine judgment ([[1 Samuel 2:32]]). Thus, זֹקֶן is not merely a biological stage but a theological marker, revealing God's sovereignty over life, His enduring care for His people, and the value placed upon a long and blessed life in His presence.
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