Word Study for H2177 (זַן) | Strong's Concordance

zan /zan/ Ask about this word

Meaningproperly, nourished (or fully developed), i.e. a form or sort

KJV usagedivers kinds

Idioms & phrasesidiom all manner of store.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zan — 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 zan, represented by H2177, is derived from a root meaning nourished or fully developed. It is used to denote a form, sort, or variety, often translated as divers kinds or all manner of store. This term appears 3 times across 2 unique verses, highlighting its specific application in contexts of abundance and variety.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H2177 appears in two distinct contexts of provision and preparation. In Psalms, it is part of a blessing for national prosperity, where the desire is for "our garners may be full, affording all manner of store" Psalms 144:13. Here, the word is repeated for emphasis, signifying a complete and diverse abundance of food. In contrast, 2 Chronicles describes the honorable burial of a king, whose bed was "filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art" 2 Chronicles 16:14, showing its use to describe a rich variety of valuable goods.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H2177 is found:

H4200 mezev (garner): This word for a granary appears directly alongside H2177 in the plea for provisions, representing the storehouse that would hold the diverse store Psalms 144:13.
H6329 pûwq (afford, obtain): This verb describes the action of the full garners, which are to "afford" or "furnish" the various kinds of supplies, linking the concept of variety to active provision Psalms 144:13.
H1314 besem (spice, sweet odour): This is the substance of which there are "divers kinds" at the king's burial, connecting H2177 to items of value, fragrance, and honor 2 Chronicles 16:14.
H4390 mâlêʼ (to fill or be full of): This term is used to describe the state of both the bed filled with "divers kinds" of spices and the garners that should be "full," reinforcing the theme of plenitude associated with H2177 (2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 144:13).

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H2177 centers on the significance of variety as a marker of blessing and honor.

Abundance and Prosperity: The presence of "all manner of store" is presented as a sign of divine favor and material blessing. It reflects a state where not only are basic needs met, but there is a rich diversity of provisions Psalms 144:13.
Honor and Tribute: The use of "divers kinds" of expensive, prepared spices for a royal burial signifies the great respect and high status of the deceased. The variety itself is a form of tribute, showcasing the extent of the kingdom's wealth and devotion 2 Chronicles 16:14.
Completeness and Fullness: Stemming from a root meaning "nourished" or "fully developed," the word implies a state of completeness. Whether in a full granary or a richly appointed burial, the diversity points to a fulfillment of purpose or status.

Summary

In summary, H2177 is a specific term that, while rare, carries a potent meaning. It moves beyond mere quantity to emphasize the quality of variety and diversity. Whether describing agricultural wealth or ceremonial riches, zan illustrates that true abundance is not just about having enough, but about possessing a full and diverse range of blessings that signify prosperity, honor, and completeness.

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.

זַּן
זְנִים

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 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 2 Chronicles and Psalms (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

2 Chronicles

Psalms

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.