English · KJV
H869

אֶתְנַן

ʼEthnan /eth-nan'/ Ask about this word
Rootthe same as אֶתְנַן in the sense of אֶתְנִי
MeaningEthnan, an Israelite
KJV usageEthnan.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼEthnan — 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 ʼEthnan, represented by H869, is the proper name of an Israelite. The name appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the biblical record. Its sole function is to identify a specific individual within a genealogical listing.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single appearance of H869 is in a genealogical record in the book of 1 Chronicles. ʼEthnan is listed as one of the sons of Helah. The verse states, "And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan" 1 Chronicles 4:7. This context places him firmly within a specific family line, though no further details about his life are provided.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help establish the identity and family of ʼEthnan:

  • H2458 Chelʼâh (Helah, an Israelitess): This is the mother of ʼEthnan. Another verse notes she was one of the two wives of Ashur 1 Chronicles 4:5.
  • H6889 Tsereth (Zereth, an Israelite): This is the name of one of ʼEthnan's brothers, listed alongside him in the same verse 1 Chronicles 4:7.
  • H6714 Tsôchar (whiteness; Tsochar) and H3328 Yitschar (he will shine; Jitschar): Both Strong's numbers are used for Jezoar, another of ʼEthnan's brothers 1 Chronicles 4:7.
  • H1121 bên (a son): This word establishes the direct familial relationship between ʼEthnan, his brothers, and their mother, Helah 1 Chronicles 4:7.

Theological Significance

The significance of H869 is not found in theological doctrine but in its role within the biblical text itself.

  • Genealogical Integrity: The mention of ʼEthnan, however brief, is part of the extensive genealogies that demonstrate the meticulous preservation of Israel's lineage. His name contributes to the historical record of his family.
  • Individual Identity: By naming ʼEthnan specifically, scripture affirms the identity of individuals within the larger community. He is not an anonymous descendant but a named son of Helah 1 Chronicles 4:7.
  • Family Structure: The verse highlights the basic family unit by listing a mother and her children, which is a foundational component of the biblical narrative's focus on lineage and heritage.

Summary

In summary, H869 ʼEthnan is the name of an Israelite man who appears once in scripture. His mention in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 4:7 serves to identify him as a son of Helah and brother to Zereth and Jezoar. While he is a minor figure, his inclusion is a testament to the Bible's detailed record-keeping and the value it places on individual names and family lines within the history of Israel.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • אֶתְנָן

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.

H2458 חֶלְאָה the same as חֶלְאָה; Chelah, an Israelitess; Helah. H6889 צֶרֶת perhaps from צָהַר; splendor; Tsereth, an Israelite; Zereth. H6714 צֹחַר from the same as צַחַר; whiteness; Tsochar, the name of a Hittite and of an Israelite; Zohar. Compare יִצְחַר. H3328 יִצְחַר from the same as צַחַר; he will shine; Jitschar, an Israelite; and Zehoar (from the margin). H1121 בֵּן from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, inclu

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

1 verse, all in 1 Chronicles — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.