English · KJV
H3653

כֵּן

kên /kane/ Ask about this word
Rootthe same as כֵּן, used as a noun
Meaninga stand, i.e. pedestal or station
KJV usagebase, estate, foot, office, place, well.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kên — 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 kên, represented by H3653, refers to a stand, base, or station. It appears 17 times across 17 unique verses in the Bible. Its definition encompasses a range of meanings, from a literal foot or pedestal for an object to a figurative office or estate representing a person's position.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H3653 is used in several distinct contexts. It frequently describes the physical foot or stand for the sacred laver used in tabernacle worship (Exodus 30:18, Exodus 38:8). It also appears as a base for the ornate furnishings in the temple 1 Kings 7:29. Figuratively, kên denotes a position of authority or a station in life, such as when Joseph's former office is restored to him Genesis 41:13. This meaning is further explored in Daniel, where it refers to the estate or position of rulers Daniel 11:21. In one instance, it is used adverbially to mean well, describing a mast that was not properly strengthened Isaiah 33:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which kên is used:

  • H3595 kîyôwr (laver): This word for a washbowl is consistently paired with H3653, which serves as its foot or stand in the tabernacle's design Exodus 30:18.
  • H5975 ʻâmad (stand): This verb, meaning to stand or be established, is used to describe a ruler rising to power within his estate H3653, linking the position to an act of establishment Daniel 11:21.
  • H4438 malkûwth (kingdom): This term for a kingdom or dominion appears in contexts where H3653 signifies an estate, connecting the personal station to the broader realm of authority Daniel 11:21.

Theological Significance

The word H3653 carries significant thematic weight concerning foundation and position:

  • Foundation for Sanctity: The repeated use of kên as the foot of the laver highlights its role as a foundation for objects of sacred service. Both the laver and its foot were to be anointed and sanctified, demonstrating that even the base supporting an instrument of cleansing must be made holy Leviticus 8:11.
  • Station of Authority: As an office or estate, the term points to an established position of authority. This can be a restoration to a place of service, as with Pharaoh's butler Genesis 40:13, or a position of political power from which rulers act (Daniel 11:20, Daniel 11:21). These stations exist within a larger divine plan.
  • Principle of Stability: The use of kên to mean well or properly suggests a connection between a firm base and correct function. Just as a mast must be well strengthened to hold a sail, a person or object must have a proper, established base to fulfill its purpose Isaiah 33:23.

Summary

In summary, kên H3653 signifies more than a simple stand. It conveys the dual concepts of a physical base, essential for supporting sacred items like the laver Exodus 30:18, and a figurative station or office, representing an established position of authority or service (Genesis 41:13, Daniel 11:21). Whether referring to a literal foot in the tabernacle or a political estate, the word underscores the importance of a firm, established, and properly appointed foundation for stability and function.

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 noun and an adverb across 17 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — 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.

  • כַּנּ
  • כֵּן
  • כֵן

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.

H3595 כִּיּוֹר or כִּיֹּר; from the same as כּוּר; properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish forcoals or a H5975 עָמַד a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), H4438 מַלְכוּת or מַלְכֻת; or (in plural) מַלְכֻיָּה; from מָלַךְ; a rule; concretely, a dominion; empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal

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

Appears in 17 verses across 6 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Exodus (7 verses); never once in the other 33.

2
Genesis
7
Exodus
1
Leviticus
2
1 Kings
1
Isaiah
4
Daniel

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.