from an unused root meaning apparently to contain; a receptacle (for milk, i.e. pail; figuratively, breast); breast.
Transliteration:ʻăṭîyn
Pronunciation:at-een'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term ʻăṭîyn (`{{H5845}}`) derives from an unused root, meaning its precise etymology is inferred. The core sense attributed to this root is "to contain" or "to be a receptacle." From this foundational meaning, the word ʻăṭîyn develops a specific semantic range:
1. **Literal:** A "pail" or "bucket," particularly one used for holding milk. This emphasizes its function as a container for sustenance.
2. **Figurative:** The "breast," specifically in the context of being full of milk. This metaphorical extension highlights the breast as a natural receptacle and source of nourishment, mirroring the function of a milk pail.
The dual interpretation points to a shared concept of a vessel overflowing with vital liquid, signifying abundance and provision.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ʻăṭîyn (`{{H5845}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the book of Job:
* [[Job 21:24]]: "His pails are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow." (ESV translation)
* In this solitary occurrence, ʻăṭîyn is used to describe the prosperity and robust health of the wicked, which forms a central part of Job's lament and the theological dilemma presented in the book.
* The phrase "his ʻăṭîyn are full of milk" vividly paints a picture of material abundance and physical vigor. The ambiguity between "pails" and "breasts" in translation reflects the semantic range inherent in the word.
* If understood as "pails," it signifies the wealth derived from prolific livestock, an indicator of great prosperity in an agrarian society. The image is one of overflowing produce, symbolizing ease and lack of want.
* If understood as "breasts" (as some older translations and commentaries suggest), it would imply a robust, perhaps even corpulent or animalistic, picture of health and fertility, a physical manifestation of unhindered well-being.
* Modern scholarship and context generally favor the translation "pails" or "buckets" full of milk, aligning with the broader description of the wicked's material flourishing and the imagery of agricultural wealth. This interpretation emphasizes the external, tangible signs of prosperity that challenge Job's understanding of divine justice.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given its singular occurrence and an unused root, ʻăṭîyn (`{{H5845}}`) does not have direct lexical cognates within the Hebrew Bible. However, it is conceptually related to:
* **Abundance and Prosperity:** The context in [[Job 21:24]] places ʻăṭîyn within the theme of overwhelming material blessing, often associated with words like šep̱aʿ (`{{H8229}}`, "abundance") or ḥayil (`{{H2428}}`, "wealth, substance").
* **Nourishment and Sustenance:** The explicit mention of "milk" connects ʻăṭîyn to the broader concept of provision, often represented by words like leḥem (`{{H3899}}`, "bread") or ḥālāḇ (`{{H2461}}`, "milk").
* **Containers and Vessels:** The core meaning of "receptacle" links it conceptually to other words for containers, though no direct lexical relationship is apparent.
* **The Problem of Evil/Theodicy:** As a descriptive element in Job's argument, it relates to the larger theological discourse concerning the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻăṭîyn (`{{H5845}}`) is primarily derived from its unique context in [[Job 21:24]]. It is not a theological concept in itself, but a descriptive detail that contributes to a profound theological problem:
* **The Paradox of Wicked Prosperity:** The verse is part of Job's argument that the wicked often prosper in this life, contrary to the traditional wisdom espoused by his friends. The image of "pails full of milk" serves as a vivid counter-example to the idea that righteousness always leads to prosperity and wickedness always to suffering.
* **Material Blessing as a Theological Challenge:** In the ancient Near East, material abundance and good health were often seen as clear indicators of divine favor. By describing the wicked as possessing such overflowing blessings, ʻăṭîyn highlights the perplexing nature of God's governance and challenges simplistic notions of divine justice.
* **Descriptive, Not Prescriptive:** The word functions descriptively, illustrating a state of being. It does not offer a theological command or principle but rather paints a picture that demands theological reflection on the nature of God's justice and the complexities of human experience. It underscores the tension between observable reality and received theological tradition.
### Summary
ʻăṭîyn (`{{H5845}}`) is a rare Hebrew word, appearing only once in [[Job 21:24]]. Derived from an unused root implying "to contain," its semantic range includes both a literal "pail" (especially for milk) and a figurative "breast" (as a source of milk). In its sole biblical occurrence, it vividly describes the robust health and material abundance of the wicked, whose "pails are full of milk." This image serves as a crucial descriptive element within Job's challenging discourse on the apparent prosperity of the unrighteous, thereby contributing to the book's profound exploration of divine justice and human suffering. While not a theological concept in itself, ʻăṭîyn effectively illustrates a state of earthly blessing that complicates simplistic theological frameworks, prompting deeper reflection on God's mysterious ways.
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