סָכַן (sa.khan)
sa.khan
to endanger; to impoverish
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sakhan carries two distinct meanings that appear rarely in Scripture: to incur danger and to become poor. In the Pual stem, it describes the state of being impoverished or financially ruined. This sense appears in Isaiah 40:20, where a foolish idol-maker lacks the resources to buy a grain offering, highlighting how poverty can limit one’s ability to participate in religious duties.
In the Niphal stem, the word shifts focus to physical risk, meaning to endanger oneself. Ecclesiastes 10:9 uses this form when describing the hazards of removing stones from a quarry, noting that whoever digs a pit may fall into it. This usage underscores the inherent risks involved in manual labor and construction.
Though limited to just two verses, sakhan illustrates the tangible vulnerabilities faced by ancient Israelites. Whether facing financial loss or physical harm, these rare occurrences remind readers of the precarious nature of life and the importance of wisdom in navigating both economic and physical dangers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sakhan reminds us that life carries real weight and risk. In Ecclesiastes, we see how physical labor can lead to injury. The person digging a pit might fall in. This is not abstract philosophy but the daily reality of work. It acknowledges that our bodies are fragile and that danger often comes from the very tasks we perform.
Isaiah 40:20 shows another side of this vulnerability. Poverty here is not just a lack of money; it is a state of being endangered or impoverished to the point where one cannot fulfill religious duties. The text does not shame the poor person but highlights how economic hardship limits participation in community worship. It shows that financial ruin can isolate us from spiritual practices.
These two verses together paint a picture of human fragility. We face both physical threats and economic instability. Yet, recognizing this vulnerability is the first step toward wisdom. It invites us to rely on God’s protection and provision when our own strength or resources fail. In moments of danger or lack, we are reminded that our security does not rest in our ability to avoid harm, but in the One who sustains us through it all.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ impoverished [person]1×
- he will be endangered1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִסָּ֥כֶן1×
- הַֽ/מְסֻכָּ֣ן1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 10:9
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
This verse uses the Niphal stem to describe the immediate physical danger of manual labor, showing that risk is an inherent part of work.
-
Isaiah 40:20
He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved.
Here the Pual stem describes being impoverished, linking financial ruin directly to the inability to provide for religious obligations.