English · KJV
H8650

תֹּרֶן

tôren /to'-ren/ Ask about this word
Rootprobably for אֹרֶן
Meaninga pole (as a mast or flagstaff)
KJV usagebeacon, mast.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tôren — 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 tôren, represented by H8650, refers to a pole, such as a mast or flagstaff. It appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. Despite its rarity, it is used both literally as a ship's mast and figuratively as a beacon.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical contexts, H8650 has a dual application. Literally, it denotes the masts of ships, which were made from cedars H730 taken from Lebanon H3844 Ezekiel 27:5. Figuratively, the word is used in prophecies to convey messages of judgment and its aftermath. It illustrates a state of total collapse when a ship's mast cannot be strengthened H2388, rendering the vessel helpless Isaiah 33:23. It is also used as a powerful image for a desolate remnant, those left behind "as a beacon upon the top of a mountain" after a great flight Isaiah 30:17.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H8650 in its contexts:

  • H5251 nêç (banner, pole, sail, (en-) sign, standard): This word is used in parallel with tôren. A remnant is left as a beacon and an ensign on a hill Isaiah 30:17, and a weakened mast cannot support the sail Isaiah 33:23, connecting tôren to signals and nautical function.
  • H2022 har (a mountain or range of hills): This term provides the setting for tôren when it is used as a beacon. The lone signal is left on the top of a mountain, emphasizing its visibility and isolation Isaiah 30:17.
  • H730 'erez (a cedar tree): This word specifies the material used for making masts. The choice of cedars from Lebanon signifies the quality, strength, and resources invested in the construction of these poles Ezekiel 27:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8650 is found in its powerful imagery:

  • Symbol of a Remnant: As a lone beacon on a mountain, tôren symbolizes the small, isolated group of people left after judgment. It is a visible, yet solitary, sign of survival amidst devastation Isaiah 30:17.
  • Metaphor for Helplessness: A ship with a failed mast represents a nation or entity whose core strength has collapsed. This powerlessness is so complete that even the lame H6455 can take H962 the prey H957 from the ruined vessel Isaiah 33:23.
  • Sign of National Pride and Strength: In Ezekiel's description of Tyre, the use of choice Lebanese cedars to craft masts reflects the city's commercial power, wealth, and sophisticated craftsmanship Ezekiel 27:5.

Summary

In summary, H8650 is a specific and infrequently used term that carries significant symbolic weight. As a literal mast, it represents the strength and foundation of a ship's power. As a figurative beacon, it stands as a stark image of isolation and survival. The word effectively conveys themes of national pride, structural failure, and the visible remnant left after divine judgment.

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 across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • תֹּרֶן
  • תָּרְנָ

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.

H730 אֶרֶז from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree). H3844 לְבָנוֹן from לְבַב; (the) white mountain (from its snow); Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine; Lebanon. H2388 חָזַק a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, he H5251 נֵס from נָסַס; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token; banner, pole, s H2022 הַר a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idi H6455 פִּסֵּחַ from פָּסַח; lame; lame.

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 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

2
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel

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.