from טָחַן; a hand mill; hence, a millstone; to grind.
Transliteration:ṭᵉchôwn
Pronunciation:tekh-one'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term ṭᵉchôwn (`{{H2911}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verbal root ṭāchan (`{{H2910}}`), which fundamentally means "to grind." As such, ṭᵉchôwn primarily refers to "a hand mill" or, by extension, "a millstone"—the essential implement used for grinding grain into flour. While its base definition also includes "to grind," in its nominal form ṭᵉchôwn consistently denotes the instrument rather than the action itself, which is typically conveyed by the verbal root or related nouns like ṭaḥănâh (`{{H2912}}`). The word thus encapsulates the vital process of food preparation and the daily labor associated with sustenance in the ancient world.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun ṭᵉchôwn (`{{H2911}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in a context of profound national distress and suffering:
* [[Lamentations 5:13]]: "Young men bore the millstones; boys stumbled under loads of wood."
* In this poignant lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile, the phrase "young men bore the millstones" (בחורים טחון נשאו) vividly depicts the forced, arduous, and demeaning labor imposed upon the conquered populace. Bearing the millstones, a task typically performed by women or servants, here falls upon the strength of young men, signifying a complete reversal of societal order and a deep humiliation. The image underscores the severity of the oppression and the harsh realities of life under foreign subjugation, reflecting a state of abject servitude and the loss of dignity. The very instrument of daily provision becomes a symbol of relentless toil and suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of ṭᵉchôwn (`{{H2911}}`) includes several closely related terms:
* ṭāchan (`{{H2910}}`): The foundational verbal root meaning "to grind." This verb describes the action that ṭᵉchôwn facilitates.
* ṭaḥănâh (`{{H2912}}`): A feminine noun derived from the same root, meaning "a grinding" or "a mill." This term appears in [[Ecclesiastes 12:4]] ("the sound of the grinding is low") as a metaphor for the failing teeth and diminishing strength in old age, further illustrating the connection between grinding and the wear of life.
* rēḥayim (`{{H7429}}`): This is the more common Hebrew word for "millstones," often appearing in the dual form to denote the upper and lower stones of the hand mill. It is used in contexts such as [[Deuteronomy 24:6]] (prohibiting the taking of millstones as a pledge, underscoring their vital importance for survival) and [[Judges 9:53]] (a millstone dropped on Abimelech's head). While rēḥayim is the standard term, ṭᵉchôwn offers a specific, perhaps more archaic or poetic, reference to the mill or millstone itself.
The concept of grinding is inextricably linked to sustenance, daily labor, and, by extension, the fragility of life and the burdens of hardship.
### Theological Significance
The millstone, represented by ṭᵉchôwn (`{{H2911}}`), carries profound theological implications:
* **Symbol of Sustenance and Dependence:** The act of grinding grain was fundamental to daily survival in ancient Israel. The millstone was not merely a tool but a symbol of life itself, providing the basic necessity of bread. Its presence signified the possibility of life, while its absence or misuse pointed to famine or severe hardship.
* **Embodiment of Labor and Toil:** The process of grinding was laborious and time-consuming. In [[Lamentations 5:13]], the forced labor of bearing the millstones becomes a stark image of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. It represents the reversal of blessings into curses, where the very means of life become instruments of oppression.
* **Metaphor for Humiliation and Degradation:** For young men to be forced to perform the work of grinding, a task typically associated with lower status or women, signifies profound national humiliation. It highlights the complete subjugation and loss of dignity experienced by God's people, serving as a powerful visual of their fallen state before God and their enemies.
* **Divine Justice and Sovereignty:** The suffering depicted in Lamentations, including the forced labor with millstones, is understood within the prophetic framework as a consequence of Israel's sin. Thus, the imagery of ṭᵉchôwn underscores God's sovereign hand in both judgment and, implicitly, in the provision of daily bread when His people walk in faithfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ṭᵉchôwn (`{{H2911}}`) denotes a "hand mill" or "millstone," deriving from the root ṭāchan (`{{H2910}}`) meaning "to grind." Its singular occurrence in [[Lamentations 5:13]] powerfully illustrates the severe oppression and degradation faced by the people of Jerusalem during their exile, as young men are forced to perform the arduous and humiliating task of bearing millstones. This imagery transcends a mere description of labor, serving as a potent symbol of national suffering, the reversal of societal norms, and the profound consequences of divine judgment. Theologically, ṭᵉchôwn underscores the vital role of daily sustenance, the burden of toil, and the humiliation inflicted by hardship, all within the context of God's overarching sovereignty and justice. It stands in close relation to other terms for grinding and mills, such as `{{H2912}}` and `{{H7429}}`, collectively painting a picture of a foundational aspect of ancient life that could be transformed into an instrument of profound suffering.
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