עַתִּיק (at.tiq)
at.tiq
ancient/taken
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word at-tiq describes something that is ancient, old, or removed from its original state. In the few verses where it appears, such as in I Chronicles and Isaiah, it points to a sense of deep antiquity. The term carries the nuance of being weaned or taken away, suggesting a transition from an earlier phase to one of established age.
Its meaning hinges on the idea of removal or separation. This could refer to something physically distant or removed from its source, but more commonly it denotes the passage of time that results in old age. The word emphasizes the weight and presence of history, marking a subject as belonging to a bygone era rather than the present moment.
Translators typically render at-tiq as "ancient" or "old," capturing its static quality. Unlike words that might imply decay, this term simply marks the status of being long-established. It serves as a linguistic marker for antiquity, grounding the text in a historical depth that distinguishes the past from the current narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word at-tiq speaks of things that have been established through time. It describes a state of being ancient or removed, often carrying the nuance of something weaned or separated from its earlier phase. In Scripture, this term marks a transition from infancy to maturity, or from a recent event to deep history. It is not merely about age, but about the weight and presence that comes with time.
When we encounter at-tiq in Isaiah, it reminds us of the process of growth. Just as a child is weaned from milk to solid food, spiritual understanding requires moving beyond basic lessons to deeper truths. This word invites us to appreciate the depth of God's wisdom, which has been present and active long before our current moment. It grounds our faith in a history that is real and enduring.
In Chronicles, the term highlights the importance of recording events accurately for future generations. By noting that records are ancient, the text emphasizes the reliability of what has been passed down. This assurance helps us trust that God's actions in the past are faithfully preserved, offering a stable foundation for our present hope and understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [ones] removed1×
- [are] ancient1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַתִּיקֵ֖י1×
- עַתִּיקִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 4:22
and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. These records are ancient.
This verse uses at-tiq to authenticate the genealogical records, marking them as established historical evidence rather than recent or fabricated accounts.
-
Isaiah 28:9
Whom will he teach knowledge? To whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?
Here the word describes those weaned from milk, using the physical transition of infancy to illustrate the need for mature spiritual instruction.