עֵצֶן (e.tsen)
e.tsen
Eznite
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The word eṣen appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, at 2 Samuel 23:8. Its identity is a longstanding textual puzzle because two different ancient readings exist for this verse. The standard Masoretic Text reads it as a proper name, identifying one of David’s mighty warriors as an “Eznite,” or descendant of Ezni.
However, the Qere reading—a marginal note in the Hebrew manuscripts—suggests the word is not a name but a common noun meaning “spear.” This alternative translation fits the context of a list of warriors and their weapons. Some scholars also link it to roots meaning “sharp” or “strong,” which aligns with the weapon interpretation.
This single verse highlights how careful textual analysis can change our understanding of Scripture. Whether referring to a person or a tool, eṣen reminds readers of the importance of manuscript variants in biblical studies. The ambiguity invites us to appreciate the complexity of preserving ancient texts across generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eṣen appears only once in Scripture, tucked into the list of David’s mighty men in 2 Samuel 23:8. Ancient manuscripts offer two readings here: one treats it as a proper name, identifying a warrior from Ezni, while another suggests it means "spear." This small textual detail reminds us that God used real people with specific backgrounds to carry out His purposes.
Whether we see a man or a weapon, the passage highlights the strength and loyalty found in those who served David. It invites us to consider how God equips His people for difficult tasks. The ambiguity does not weaken the text but rather draws our attention to the care taken in preserving these ancient records.
This single word encourages trust in the preservation of Scripture. Even when details seem unclear, the core message of faithfulness remains steady. We can find comfort in knowing that God’s Word has been carefully kept through generations, inviting us to rely on its truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Eznite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/עֶצְנִ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 23:8
These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; he was called Adino the Eznite, who killed eight hundred at one time.
This verse presents the only occurrence of the word, where manuscript variants suggest it may refer either to a warrior's origin or to a spear, highlighting textual complexity.