זְקֻנִים (za.qun)
za.qun
extreme age
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun zĕqûnîm refers to advanced or extreme old age. While related words simply denote being elderly, this term emphasizes the depth and weight of years, often implying a stage of life where physical decline is evident but authority remains intact. It appears only four times in the Hebrew Bible, anchoring its meaning in specific narrative moments rather than abstract philosophy.
The word carries significant emotional weight in Genesis. When Jacob tells Pharaoh his days are few and bad, he uses this term to describe his seventy years (Genesis 47:9). Similarly, it describes Joseph’s father as he approaches death (Genesis 48:1) and the patriarchs themselves in their final moments. The sources highlight that this is not just chronological age, but a state of being fully seasoned by life.
Its rarity makes each usage distinct. In Genesis 27:1, Isaac’s eyes grow dim because of zĕqûnîm, linking the term directly to physical frailty. This concrete detail shows that the word does not shy away from the vulnerability of aging. It acknowledges the body’s limits while preserving the dignity of those who have lived long lives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word for extreme age carries a weight that goes beyond simple numbers on a calendar. It describes a life fully seasoned, where the body may grow frail but the authority and dignity of the years remain intact. When Jacob speaks to Pharaoh about his seventy years, he uses this term to acknowledge both the burden and the blessing of a long journey.
Scripture does not hide the reality of physical decline. In Genesis 27, Isaac’s eyes grow dim because of this advanced age, linking the concept directly to human vulnerability. Yet, even in weakness, there is honor. This word reminds us that growing old is not a failure but a distinct stage of life where one has been tested and refined by time.
For those walking through their later years, or caring for elders, this passage offers a quiet hope. It validates the struggle of aging while affirming the enduring value of a life well-lived. We are invited to see these final seasons not as an end, but as a period where wisdom and love continue to shape our families.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- old age<s>2×
- of/ old age<s>/ his2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִ/זְקֻנָֽי/ו\׃1×
- לִ/זְקֻנָ֑י/ו1×
- זְקֻנִ֥ים1×
- זְקֻנִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 37:3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a tunic of many colors.
This verse highlights how the term defines Joseph’s special status as the child of Jacob’s 'old age,' explaining the father's deep emotional attachment.
-
Genesis 44:20
We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.’
The brothers use this specific word to emphasize Benjamin’s unique position as the last remaining son of their elderly father, raising the stakes of their plea.
-
Genesis 21:7
She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”
Sarah uses this term in wonder, marking her advanced years as the context for a miraculous birth that defies natural expectation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word zĕqûnîm mean?
How is zĕqûnîm different from other words for old age?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
Genesis 21:7She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”
Genesis 37:3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a tunic of…
Genesis 44:20We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead,…