from כּוּן; prepared; Nakon, probably an Israelite; Nachon.
Transliteration:Nâkôwn
Pronunciation:naw-kone'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5225}}` (Nâkôwn) is primarily known as a proper noun, "Nachon," referring to a specific geographical location. Its etymological root lies in the verb `{{H3559}}` (kûwn), which carries a rich semantic range encompassing concepts such as "to be established, firm, ready, prepared, fixed, or set up." While `{{H5225}}` itself denotes a place name, the underlying meaning of its root suggests a place that is "prepared" or "established." This etymological connection is significant, as it imbues the place name with a sense of stability or readiness, even if its precise application to the "threshing floor of Nachon" is not explicitly stated in the biblical text beyond its designation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5225}}` occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[2 Samuel 6:6]]. This verse describes a pivotal moment in Israelite history:
"And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled."
This event takes place during King David's initial attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. The "threshing floor of Nachon" serves as the tragic stage for Uzzah's death. Threshing floors were common agricultural sites, typically open, elevated spaces where grain was separated from chaff. They were places of work and often communal gathering. However, in this instance, it became a site of divine judgment due to Uzzah's unauthorized contact with the sacred Ark, violating the explicit instructions for its handling (cf. [[Numbers 4:15]]). The parallel account in [[1 Chronicles 13:9]] refers to the same location as the "threshing floor of Chidon" (`{{H3592}}`), suggesting either a scribal variant or that the place was known by two names. This textual discrepancy highlights the complexities of ancient textual transmission but does not diminish the theological weight of the event itself.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to `{{H5225}}` is its verbal root, `{{H3559}}` (kûwn). This root appears in various forms throughout the Hebrew Bible, conveying ideas of stability (e.g., "His throne is established forever" - [[Psalm 89:4]]), preparation (e.g., "The Lord has prepared His throne in the heavens" - [[Psalm 103:19]]), and readiness (e.g., "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast" - [[Psalm 57:7]]). The name "Nachon" thus carries the inherent semantic possibility of a "prepared" or "established" place, perhaps even hinting at its pre-ordained role in the unfolding of divine will, however tragic.
The parallel term `{{H3592}}` (Kîydôn), "Chidon," from [[1 Chronicles 13:9]], presents a textual variant. While its etymology is less clear, some scholars suggest it might also relate to a concept of "spear" or "javelin," perhaps indicating a place of conflict or judgment. Regardless of the precise etymology of "Chidon," the shared context underscores the singular importance of this location in Israel's history.
The event at Nachon's threshing floor also connects to broader biblical concepts of divine holiness (`{{H6944}}` - qodesh), the proper approach to God, and the severe consequences of irreverence or disobedience in matters pertaining to the sacred. The subsequent renaming of the place to "Perez-uzzah" (`{{H6556}}` - "breakthrough of Uzzah") in [[2 Samuel 6:8]] further emphasizes the divine intervention and judgment that occurred there.
### Theological Significance
The "threshing floor of Nachon" is not merely a geographical marker but a profound theological locus. The tragedy of Uzzah's death at this site serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and the strict requirements for approaching His sacred presence. The Ark of the Covenant was not to be touched by unauthorized persons but carried by Levites using poles (cf. [[Numbers 3:30-31]], [[Numbers 4:15]]). Uzzah's act, though perhaps well-intentioned from a human perspective, demonstrated a failure to adhere to divine protocol, reflecting a lack of reverence for the Ark's sanctity and the God it represented.
The name "Nachon" itself, with its root meaning "prepared" or "established," can be seen as ironically poignant. While the place was "prepared" for agricultural work, it became "established" in the collective memory as a site of divine revelation concerning God's unyielding standards. It underscored that God's commands are "established" and must be obeyed precisely. This event profoundly impacted David, leading him to reassess the proper method of transporting the Ark and to a deeper understanding of the fear of the Lord (`{{H3374}}` - yir'ah). The incident at Nachon's threshing floor established a critical lesson for Israel: God's holiness demands meticulous obedience and reverence, not human expediency or presumption.
### Summary
`{{H5225}}` (Nâkôwn) is a Hebrew proper noun, "Nachon," primarily known as the location of a threshing floor mentioned in [[2 Samuel 6:6]]. Derived from the root `{{H3559}}` (kûwn), meaning "to be established" or "prepared," the name subtly hints at a place that is firm or ready. It is famously the site where Uzzah died after touching the Ark of the Covenant during its transfer to Jerusalem. This tragic event, also recounted with the variant "Chidon" (`{{H3592}}`) in [[1 Chronicles 13:9]], serves as a potent theological lesson. It underscores God's absolute holiness, the necessity of strict obedience to divine commands, and the severe consequences of irreverence in approaching the sacred. The "threshing floor of Nachon" thus stands as a perpetual reminder of the unwavering demands of God's presence and the importance of being properly "prepared" in heart and action.
TRV