צִקָּלֹן (tsiq.lon)
tsiq.lon
sack
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 tsiqqalon appears only once in the Old Testament, found in 2 Kings 4:42. In this context, it refers to a container for food, generally understood as a sack or bag used to carry provisions. The specific nature of the item is somewhat ambiguous, with some ancient translations interpreting it simply as a garment or piece of clothing, though "sack" remains the primary lexical definition.
This single occurrence describes Elisha feeding a hundred men with twenty loaves of bread and fresh grain. The text notes that the food was placed in tsiqqalonim (plural) before being distributed. This rare word highlights the humble, practical means by which God’s provision was transported and shared, emphasizing the physical reality of the miracle without elaborating on the container's precise material or design.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsiqqalon appears just once in Scripture, nestled in the story of Elisha feeding a hundred men with twenty loaves and fresh grain. It simply means a sack or bag used to carry food. This humble container held the provisions that God multiplied for the hungry crowd.
For your faith, this detail reminds us that God often uses ordinary things to accomplish extraordinary things. The sack was not magical; it was a practical tool. Yet in Elisha’s hands, it became the means of sharing God’s provision with many. It shows that God cares about our physical needs and uses simple resources to meet them.
When you feel like your resources are small or inadequate, remember this story. God does not need grand displays to provide. He can take what is already in your hands—a meal, a moment, a simple act of sharing—and multiply it for the good of others. Trust that He sees your needs and will provide in His way.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ sack/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/צִקְלֹנ֑/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 4:42
A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God some bread of the first fruits: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give to the people, that they may eat.”
This is the only occurrence of the word, describing the sack that held the initial twenty loaves before Elisha distributed them to the hungry crowd.