פֵּן (pen)
pen
Corner
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pinneh denotes a physical corner, specifically the meeting point of two sides in square or rectangular objects. In the Old Testament, it appears only once, marking the location of a gate in Zechariah 6:10. This singular usage anchors the word in concrete, architectural reality rather than abstract geometry.
While some lexicons note a figurative extension where "corner" represents a leader or chief, this specific entry does not provide textual evidence for that meaning in Scripture. The primary significance lies in its literal sense: a distinct place of intersection. Translators render it simply as "corner," preserving the spatial precision intended by the original author.
Its rarity highlights how specific biblical language can be when describing physical landmarks. By identifying a precise location, the text grounds prophetic visions in tangible settings, allowing readers to visualize the scene without ambiguity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pen appears just once in the Hebrew Bible, marking a specific corner gate in Zechariah’s vision of Jerusalem. This rare term anchors prophetic imagery in tangible reality, reminding us that God cares about precise details and physical places. It is not an abstract concept but a concrete location where two walls meet, creating a distinct point of intersection.
For your faith, this specificity invites you to see God’s work as grounded in the real world. Just as the corner gate defined a boundary and a point of entry, our lives are shaped by the places we inhabit and the boundaries we respect. The text suggests that divine promises are not vague ideals but are tied to actual history and geography.
When you read Scripture, notice how these small details help visualize God’s plans. They remind us that He is involved in the concrete aspects of life, from city gates to personal boundaries. This grounding in reality offers a sense of stability and trust in His faithful presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ corners1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/פִּנִּ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
Zechariah 14:10
All the land will be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she will be lifted up and will dwell in her place, from Benjamin’s gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses.
This verse uses the word to identify a specific boundary marker, the corner gate, which helps define the restored city's limits in Zechariah's vision.