Lexical Definition
כּוּן kûwn (koon) to establish: prepare H:V
a primitive root
certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.
- properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular)
- hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)
1) to be firm, be stable, be established
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed
1a1a) to be firmly established
1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring
1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined
1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)
1a3) to prepare, be ready
1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm
1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish
1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)
1b4) to arrange, order
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be established, be fastened
1c2) to be prepared, be ready
1d) (Polel)
1d1) to set up, establish
1d2) to constitute, make
1d3) to fix
1d4) to direct
1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared
1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
See Greek: ἀγαθός · ἀλήθεια · ἀληθής · ἀνορθόω · βουλεύω · γίνομαι · δίδωμι · δυνατός · ἐμφανής · ἔνδοξος · ἐπιστηρίζω · ἑτοιμάζω · ἑτοιμασία · ἕτοιμος · εὐθέως · εὐθύς · ἔχω · θεμελιόω · ἵστημι · καθαρός · καθίστημι · καταρτίζω · κατασκευάζω · κατευθύνω · κτίζω · μένω · οἰκοδομέω · πλάσσω · στερεόω · συναντιλαμβάνομαι · συνίημι · συνιστάω · τίθημι · ὑποφέρω · φέρω
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| תָּכִ֣ין | you will establish | Deut.19.3 |
| נָכוֹן֙ | established | Exod.8.26 |
| נָכֽוֹן | a certain | 1Sam.26.4 |
| נָכ֣וֹן | certain | Deut.13.14 • Deut.17.4 |
| נָ֝כ֗וֹן | steadfast | Ps.51.10 |
| נְכוֹנָה֮ | a reliable | Ps.5.9 |
| נְכוֹנָ֖ה | a reliable | Job.42.7 • Job.42.8 |
| יָכִין֙ | he gave attention | Judg.12.6 |
| וְ֝כוֹנֵ֗ן | and give attention | Job.8.8 |
| הָכִ֣ינוּ | prepare | 1Sam.23.22 |
Extended Information
meaning of: כּוּן
- : right/know/certain
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [כּוּן]218 verb probably be firm, only in derived conjugation (Late Hebrew Aramaic כּוּן, in derived conjugation, כִּיוֵּן arrange, direct; 
put right, correct; Assyrian kânu, be firm, right DlHWB 321; Arabic 
(medial 
) exist, occur, be; so Ethiopic 
Sabean כון DHMZMG 1875, 599, Phoenician כון be (often)); —
Niph`al Perfect (on 3 masculine singular see Participle below), 3 feminine singular נָכּ֫וֺנָה 1Kgs 2:46 3 plural נָכ֫וֺנוּ Prov 19:29 נָכֹּ֫נוּ Ezek 16:7 Imperfect יִכּוֺן Prov 12:3 +; 3 feminine singular תִּכּוֺן Jer 30:20 +; וַתִּכֹּן 1Kgs 2:12; 2Chr 8:16, etc.; Imperative הִכּוֺן Amos 4:12 הִכֹּן Ezek 38:7 plural הכונוּ 2Chr 35:4 Kt (Qr הָכִינוּ Hiph`il); Participle נָכוֺן Gen 41:32 + (in Ps 93:2 and perhaps elsewhere the Perfect would be possibly); construct נְכוֺן Prov 4:18 feminine נְכוֺנָה Ps 5:10* + 2 t.; plural נְכֹנִים Exod 19:11 + 2 t.; passive or neuter, and (less often) reflexive: —
1. be set up, established, fixed:
a. literally, of house upon (עַל) pillars Judg 16:26; Judg 16:29, so, in metaphor, of temple-mount, followed by בְּראֹשׁ Isa 2:2 = Mic 4:1 be firm, of breasts at puberty Ezek 16:7 firmly established, of תֵּבֵל Ps 93:1 = Ps 96:10 = 1Chr 16:30 firm, i.e. a strong support, of ׳י's hand יָ דִי תִּכּוֺן עִמּוֺ Ps 89:22* (|| זְרוֺעִי תְאַמְּצֶנּוּ).
b. figurative, of throne 2Sam 7:16 = 1Chr 17:14; 1Kgs 2:45; Ps 89:38*; Ps 93:2; Prov 16:12; Prov 25:5; Prov 29:14 of king, royal family, kingdom 1Sam 20:31; 1Kgs 2:12; 1Kgs 2:46; 2Sam 7:26 =1Chr 17:24.
c. of any persons, be established, stable, secure, enduring Job 21:8 (with לִפְנֵי), Prov 12:3, also vProv 12:19 (subject שְׂפַת אֱמֶת) Ps 101:7 (with לְנֶגֶד עֵינָ֑י), Ps 102:29* (with לְפָנֶיךָ), Ps 140:12* (with בָּאָרֶץ); of plans Prov 16:3; Prov 20:18 נְכוֺן הַיּוֺם Prov 4:18 the established, stable, (part) of the day, i.e. mid-day, when the sun seems motionless in mid-heaven. — 2Sam 6:6 see נָכוֺן proper name below
d. fixed, securely determined הַדָּבָר מֵעִם ׳נ הָאֱלֹהִים (|| אֱמֶת) Gen 41:32 (E); so כְּשַׁחַר נָכוֺן מֹצָאוֺ Hos 6:3 ᵑ0, but read כְּשַׁחֲרֵנוּ כֵּן נִמְצָאֵהוּ GieBeiträge 208 Weon the passage; substantiated, certain, of an allegation Deut 13:15* = Deut 17:4 עַלנָֿכוֺן according to (what is) certain, = certainly, assuredly 1Sam 23:23; 1Sam 26:4 (see Dr).
2. in moral sense, be directed aright, of ways Prov 4:26; Ps 119:5 (compare Hiph`il 3); be fixed aright, stedfast נָכוֺן לִבִּי Ps 57:8* (twice in verse); Ps 108:2*, so Ps 112:7 לִבָּם לֹא נָכוֺן עִמּוֺ Ps 78:37 רוּחַ נָכוֺן Ps 51:12* (|| לֵב טָהוֺר); לא נָכוֺן לעשׂות כן Exod 8:22* (J) it is not right, proper, etc.; participle feminine נְכוֺנָה as substantive = what is right, the right Job 42:7; Job 42:8 = uprightness Ps 5:10*.
3. prepare, be ready, person Amos 4:12 (with ל infinitive); words Prov 22:18 הִכֹּן וְהָכֵן לְךָ Ezek 38:7; 2Chr 35:4 Kt (Qr Hiph`il); participle as adjective = prepared, ready, often with הָוָה, of persons Exod 19:11; Exod 19:15; Exod 34:2; Josh 8:4 (all J E); of things, followed by ל person Job 12:5; Neh 8:10, ל location Job 18:12, ל noun active Ps 38:18* ב location Job 15:23
4. passive be prepared, of judgments Prov 19:29 (ל person); of work be arranged, settled 2Chr 8:16 figurative of prayer Ps 141:2 be arranged, set in order, as incense before thee (> present itself as incense); be arranged, ordered, of temple service 2Chr 29:35; 2Chr 35:10; 2Chr 35:16.
Hiph`il Perfect הֵכִין Josh 4:4 +; suffix הֱכִינַנִי 1Kgs 2:24 הֱכִינוֺ 2Sam 5:12; 1Chr 14:2 הֱכִינָהּ Job 28:27 2 masculine singular הֲכִינוֺתָ Job 11:13 +; 3 plural הֵכִינוּ 1Chr 12:39* +; וְהֵכִינוּ consecutive Exod 16:5 1 plural הֲכִינוֺנוּ 1Chr 29:16 הֵכַנּוּ (Ges«GKC:72»§ 72, R. 6) 2Chr 29:16, etc.; Imperfect יָכִין Judg 12:6 +; וַיָּ֫כֶן 1Chr 15:1 + 3 t., etc.; Imperative הָכֵן Gen 43:16 +; plural הָכִינוּ Josh 1:11 +; Infinitive absolute הָכֵן Josh 3:17, so הָכִין Josh 4:3 (read הָכֵין, see Di), Jer 10:23 (see Gie), Ezek 7:14 (see Sm Co and below; see on all Köi. 468); construct הָכִין Isa 9:6* +; suffix הֲכִינוֺ Nah 2:4*; Prov 8:27 הֲכִינָהּ Jer 33:2 Participle מֵכִין Jer 10:12 + 4 t.; — (favourite word in Chronicles, in various applications)
1. establish, set up:
a. king (or, one as king) 2Sam 5:12; 1Kgs 2:24; 1Chr 14:2, royal seed Ps 89:5*, kingdom 1Sam 13:13; 2Sam 7:12 = 1Chr 17:11; 1Chr 28:7; 2Chr 12:1; 2Chr 17:5, throne 1Chr 22:10 the world תֵּבֵל Jer 10:12 = Jer 51:15 mountains Ps 65:7* heavens Prov 8:27 an altar upon (עַל) its base Ezra 3:3.
b. God's faithfulness Ps 89:3* heart of humble Ps 10:17.
c. = accomplish, do Jer 33:2 (|| עשׂה), = make Isa 40:20; Job 28:27.
d. make firm, only infinitive absolute, as adverb = firmly הָכֵן Josh 3:17 הָכִין Josh 4:3 (see above)
2. a. fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift Gen 43:25 (J), place Exod 23:20 (JE), 2Chr 3:1 with לְ of thing 1Chr 15:1; 1Chr 15:3, also (object omitted) v1Chr 15:12 (see Be, and DaSynt. § 144), 2Chr 1:4 (בַּהֵכִין, see Ges«GKC:138»§ 138. 3. b); often prepare food, accusative + לְ person Josh 1:11 (D), Ps 78:20 לְ omitted Prov 6:8; Prov 30:25 object omitted 1Chr 12:39*; 2Chr 35:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 35:15 both omitted Gen 43:16 (J), 1Chr 9:32 prepare a road Deut 19:3, a sacrifice Zeph 1:7, ambuscades Jer 51:12, one's work Prov 24:27, materials for (לְ) temple 1Chr 22:3; 1Chr 22:14, also v1Chr 22:14b (no לְ), 1Chr 29:2; 1Chr 29:3 weapons (with לְ person) 2Chr 26:14 and (hostile purpose) Ps 7:14*, compare Ps 57:7*, Isa 14:21 prepare slaughter-place for (לְ) his children; store-rooms 2Chr 31:11 a, also v2Chr 31:11 b (object omitted); gallows (with לְ person) Esth 6:4; Esth 7:10 corn (produce of land) Ps 65:10* land vPs 65:10*, so (= restore) Ps 68:11* with accusative of person 2Chr 35:6 figurative of belly preparing deceit Job 15:35 make preparation (for, לְ of thing) 1Chr 22:5, and v1Chr 22:5 (לְ omitted); followed by לִבְנוֺת 1Chr 28:2, with accusative material + לִבְנוֺת 1Kgs 5:32*; 1Chr 29:16 without לְ, make ready 1Sam 23:22; Nah 2:4*; Ezek 7:14 (read הָכִינוּ הָכֵן Co, for הַכֹּל ׳ה MT) = make full preparation! make thee ready! Jer 46:14 (לְ dativus ethicus [dative of interest]), Ezek 28:7 (id.), 2Chr 35:4.
b. provide for, provide, furnish Num 23:1; Num 23:29; Num 29:7; Josh 4:4 (all J E), Job 27:16; Job 27:17, food for (לְ) raven Job 39:41, rain for (לְ) earth Ps 147:8; 1Chr 29:19; 2Chr 2:6*; Ps 74:16.
3. direct one's face towards (אֶלֿ) Ezek 4:3; Ezek 4:7 in moral and spiritual sense, direct one's step (צַעֲדוֺ) = order aright, Jer 10:23 (see above), Prov 16:9, so (פְּעָמַי) Ps 119:133 אֱלֹהָיו ׳הֵכִין דְּרָכָיו לִפְנֵי י 2Chr 27:6, also (followed by דרכיו only) Prov 21:29 Kt (Qr יָבִין); עַל הַהֵכִין הָאֱלֹהִים לָעָם 2Chr 29:36 that which God had ordered aright for the people (on article = relative pronoun see Ges«GKC:138»§ 138. 3. b); followed by לֵב Job 11:13; Ps 78:8 + לְ, ׳לֹא הֵכִין לִבּוֺ לִדְרוֺשׁ אֶתיֿ 2Chr 12:14, so 2Chr 19:3; 2Chr 30:19 + ׳לִדְרוֺשׁ אֵתאתּוֺרַת י Ezra 7:10 הכין לבב ׳אֶלֿ 1Sam 7:3 direct the heart towards ׳י, 1Chr 29:18 (׳י subject), so (with לֵאלֹהִים) 2Chr 20:33 hence (no object expressed) = give attention, followed by infinitive Judg 12:6.
4. arrange, order 2Chr 29:19 (of sacred vessels; + הִקְדַּשְׁנוּ), 2Chr 35:20 (of temple).
Hoph`al Perfect הוּכַן Isa 30:33, וְהוּכַן consecutive Isa 16:5; Zech 5:11 וְהֻכַֿן Nah 2:6* Participle מוּכָן Prov 21:31, plural מוּכָנִים Ezek 40:43 —
1. be established, of throne Isa 16:5 be fastened, of hooks Ezek 40:43.
2. be prepared for (לְ person) Isa 30:33 and (לְ temporal) Prov 21:31 absolute Nah 2:6* be ready Zech 5:11.
Po`lel. Perfect 3 masculine singular כּוֺנֵן Ps 9:8* + 3 t., וְכוֺנֵן consecutive Hab 2:12 suffix כּוֺנְַנָהּ Isa 45:18 2 masculine singular כּוֺנַנְתָּ Ps 99:4; Ps 119:90, כּוֺנָ֑נְתָּה Ps 8:4*, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְכוֺנֵן Isa 62:7 suffix וַיְכֹנְַנֶ֑ךָ Deut 32:6, יְכוֺנְַנֶהָ Ps 24:2 +, suffix 1 plural וַיְכֻנֶנּוּ Job 31:15 (וַיְכוּנֶּנוּ van d. H); 2 masculine singular תְּכוֺנֵן Ps 7:10*; Ps 21:13*, etc.; Imperative כּוֺנֵן Job 8:8 (but on text see infra), כּוֺנְַנָה Ps 90:17, suffix כּוֺנְַנֵהוּ Ps 90:17 — originally make firm; —
1. set up, establish:
a. of men, found, a city Hab 2:12 (|| בנה), Ps 107:36.
b. of God, establish, king's throne 2Sam 7:13 = 1Chr 17:12, his own throne Ps 9:8* (לְמִשְׁפָּט), sanctuary Exod 15:7 (song), a nation Deut 32:6 (poem; || קנה, עשׂה), a city Ps 48:9*; Ps 87:5, תֵּבֵל Ps 24:2 (with עַל, || יָסַד), אֶרֶץ Ps 119:90, compare Isa 45:18, also Ps 68:10* (object omitted, read perhaps אֶרֶץ צִיָּה Bi Che), heavens Prov 3:19 (|| יָסַדאָֿ֑רֶץ), moon and stars Ps 8:4* figurative, steps of men Ps 40:3*, work of men's hands Ps 90:17 (twice in verse), justice Ps 99:4 establish, i.e. vindicate and make secure to righteous (צַדִּיק) Ps 7:10*.
2. constitute, make, a man (in womb) Job 31:15 (|| עשׂה), compare Ps 119:73 (|| id.); with accusative + לְ of thing + לְ person reflexive 2Sam 7:24 thou hast made for thyself (לְךָ), thy people (אֶתעַֿמְּךָ) Israel for thyself (לְךָ) into a people (לְעָם) for ever.
3. fix, so as to be ready, arrow upon (עַל) string Ps 11:2, so (חֵץ omitted) Ps 21:13* (with עַלפְּֿנֵיהֶם), and possibly (חֵץ omitted) Isa 51:13 (Di Che and others; but dubious, compare Du; verse corrupt according to CheIntr. Is. 427), a bow Ps 7:13*.
4. direct (that is לֵב), followed by לְחֵקֶר Job 8:8, i.e. give attention to (but no || in Po`lel; read perhaps בּוֺנֵן, compare Deut 32:10, see Ol Di). Po`lal. Perfect be established: ׳מי מִצְעֲדֵיגֶֿבֶר כּוֺנָ֑נוּ Ps 37:23 from ׳י are a man's steps established; = be prepared כּוֺנָנ֑וּ Ezek 28:13 but strike out Co Da after A B ᵑ6 and others Hithpo`el. Imperfect; be established, of house, 3 masculine singular יִתְכּוֺנָ֑ן Prov 24:3 (|| יִבָּנֶה), of nation, 2 feminine singular תִּכּוֺנָ֑נִי (Ges«GKC:54»§ 54. 2. b) Isa 54:14 3 feminine singular תִּכּוֺנֵן = be restored, of city Num 21:27 (J E; || תִּבָּנֶה); set oneself, take one's stand 3 masculine plural יִכּוֺנָ֑נוּ Ps 59:5*.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References