דַּרְקוֹן (dar.qon)
dar.qon
Darkon
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Darkon appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Ezra 2:56 and Nehemiah 7:58. It identifies a specific patriarch within the list of families who returned from Babylonian exile under Zerubbabel. The sources define him as the head of a group known as the Nethinim, often translated as temple servants or slaves.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted as meaning "scatterer" or one who scatters. This title likely reflects the historical reality of the exile itself, where populations were dispersed from their homeland. By bearing this name, the family’s identity remained tied to that period of displacement and subsequent return.
Darkon’s mention serves as a concrete link to the post-exilic community’s structure. His role highlights how temple service was organized into hereditary lines during the restoration of Jerusalem. The text preserves his name not for personal deeds, but as part of the genealogical record that re-established Israel’s social and religious order after the return.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read through the long lists of names in Ezra and Nehemiah, it is easy to feel disconnected from these ancient families. Yet Darkon’s name reminds us that God remembers individuals within His larger story. The meaning 'scatterer' points back to the trauma of exile, but its presence in the returnee list shows how God gathers what was scattered into a new community.
This word highlights the beauty of restoration. It is not just about rebuilding walls, but restoring identities and roles within the temple service. For your faith today, it offers comfort that no part of your history is forgotten by God. Even in times of displacement or confusion, He is working to bring order and purpose back into your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Darkon2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דַרְק֖וֹן2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:56
the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
This verse places Darkon’s family among the specific groups eligible for temple service, showing how their identity was preserved during the return from Babylon.
-
Nehemiah 7:58
the children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
The repetition of this name in Nehemiah confirms the careful preservation of genealogies to ensure proper religious order in the restored community.