English · KJV
H2630

חָסַן

châçan /khaw-san'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to (be) compact; by implication, to hoard
KJV usagelay up.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of châçan — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châçan, represented by H2630, is a primitive root meaning to hoard or lay up. Its core idea is to make something compact for storage. Appearing just 1 time in a single verse, its significance is derived from the specific context in which it is used, highlighting a contrast between worldly accumulation and divine purpose.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole biblical appearance of H2630 is in Isaiah 23:18, in a prophecy concerning Tyre. The verse declares that the city's "merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD." This wealth "shall not be treasured nor laid up," directly opposing the act of hoarding. Instead, the profits are designated for those who "dwell before the LORD," to be used for practical needs such as sufficient food and durable clothing. The use of châçan in this passage defines it as an action contrary to the sacred use of resources.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in its context clarify the meaning of H2630:

  • H686 'âtsar (to store up): Used in parallel with châçan in Isaiah 23:18, this word also means to treasure or store up. The verse's prohibition against both actions emphasizes the idea that wealth consecrated to God is not to be stockpiled.
  • H5504 çachar (profit from trade; merchandise): This is the object that is not to be laid up. In Isaiah 23:18, the merchandise of Tyre is redirected from worldly gain to a holy purpose, providing for God's people.
  • H3427 yâshab (to dwell, to remain): This word identifies the recipients of the resources that are not hoarded. The merchandise is for "them that dwell before the LORD" Isaiah 23:18, showing that the proper use of wealth is to sustain the community of faith.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2630 comes from its unique, negative application.

  • Consecration over Accumulation: The instruction not to lay up H2630 Tyre's wealth demonstrates a principle where material gain is sanctified not by hoarding it, but by dedicating it to the LORD's purposes Isaiah 23:18.
  • Divine Provision: The purpose of this dedicated wealth is to provide for God's people. It is meant to be used actively "to eat sufficiently" H7654 and for "durable clothing" H4374, rather than being stored away.
  • Redemption of Commerce: The prophecy transforms Tyre's "merchandise" H5504 and "hire" H868, often associated with worldly or even idolatrous gain, into something that is "holiness to the LORD" H6944, showing that commercial profits can serve a sacred function.

Summary

In summary, H2630 châçan carries a focused meaning of hoarding or laying up wealth. Its single appearance in scripture serves as a powerful illustration of a key theological principle: resources dedicated to God are intended for active use in providing for His people, not for idle accumulation. The word stands in direct contrast to the concept of using material blessings for the immediate and ongoing needs of the faithful who dwell in God's presence.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יֵחָסֵן

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H686 אָצַר a primitive root; to store up; (lay up in) store, [phrase] (make) treasure(-r). H5504 סַחַר from סָחַר; profit (from trade); merchandise. H3427 יָשַׁב a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remai H7654 שׇׂבְעָה feminine of שֹׂבַע; satiety; (to have) enough, [idiom] till...be full, (un-) satiable, satisfy, [idiom] sufficiently. H4374 מְכַסֶּה from כָּסָה; a covering, i.e. garment; specifically, a coverlet (for a bed), an awning (from the sun); also the omentum H868 אֶתְנַן the same as אֶתְנָה; a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry); hire, reward.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Isaiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.