זָקָן (za.qan)
za.qan
beard
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun zaqan refers to the facial hair on the lower part of a person’s face, covering both the chin and the beard itself. In the Old Testament, this feature is not merely a physical detail but a significant marker of adult male identity and dignity. Its presence in sixteen verses across books like Leviticus, Psalms, and Samuel highlights its cultural weight in ancient Israel.
Levitical law treats the beard with specific reverence, prohibiting certain types of grooming that were associated with pagan mourning rituals (Leviticus 19:27). This suggests that for Israelites, maintaining the natural growth of the zaqan was a way to distinguish their worship and bodily integrity from neighboring cultures. The term appears in contexts where physical appearance intersects with religious obedience.
Translators typically render this word as "beard" or "chin," depending on the context. When used in poetry, such as in Psalms, it can symbolize honor or the fullness of life. Conversely, shaving the beard was often an act of humiliation or deep grief. The word anchors a tangible aspect of ancient Israelite identity, linking physical form to spiritual and social boundaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zaqan refers to the beard, a feature that carried deep social and spiritual weight in ancient Israel. It was not just a physical trait but a marker of adult dignity and identity. For the people of God, maintaining the natural growth of facial hair was often a way to distinguish their worship from neighboring cultures, showing respect for the body as created by God.
Yet this word also appears in moments of profound grief or humiliation. When beards were shaved or pulled out, it signaled deep shame or mourning. This contrast reminds us that our outward appearance can reflect our inner state, but our true worth is never defined by how we look. God sees the heart, and He offers comfort to those who feel stripped of their dignity.
In Psalms, the beard is even linked to blessing and unity, like the precious oil on Aaron’s head. This suggests that when we live in harmony with others, we reflect God’s goodness. Whether you are navigating a season of loss or one of joy, remember that your value comes from being known by God, not from cultural standards.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ beard3×
- beard/ your3×
- beard3×
- beard/ their2×
- on/ beard/ its1×
- on/ [the] beard of1×
- in/ [the] beard1×
- beard/ his1×
- and/ beard/ my1×
- [the] beard of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זָקָ֖ן2×
- זְקַנְ/כֶ֖ם2×
- הַ/זָּקָ֖ן2×
- זָקָ֛ן1×
- זְקָנָ֖/ם1×
- זְקָנָ֔/ם1×
- זְקָנֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- זְקָנ/וֹ֙1×
- זְקַֽן\־1×
- וּ/זְקָנִ֔/י1×
- הַ/זָּקָ֥ן1×
- בִּ/זְקָנ֔/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 19:27
“‘You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your head or clip off the edge of your beard.
This verse establishes the beard as a boundary marker for Israelite identity, prohibiting grooming practices associated with pagan mourning rituals.
-
II Samuel 10:5
When they told David this, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”
Here, David’s instruction to wait until beards grow shows how the loss of facial hair was a source of deep shame and vulnerability for his servants.
-
Psalms 133:2
It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down on the edge of his robes,
The beard is used as a poetic image of blessing, comparing unity among believers to the anointing oil flowing down Aaron’s beard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word zaqan mean?
Why is the beard mentioned in Leviticus?
What does it mean when someone’s beard is shaved in the Bible?
Is the beard mentioned in any positive contexts?
Every Occurrence (16 verses across 8 books)
Leviticus 5 verses
“When a man or woman has a plague on the head or on the beard,
Leviticus 13:30then the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is…
Leviticus 14:9It shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows. He shall…
Leviticus 19:27“‘You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your head or clip off the edge of your beard.
Leviticus 21:5“‘They shall not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards or make any cuttings in their flesh.