קָטֹן (qa.ton)
qa.ton
be small
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qaton means to be small or insignificant. In its basic Qal form, it describes a state of being low in status or power, rather than just physical size. This sense of humility or weakness appears when characters acknowledge their own lack of importance before God or others.
It also appears in the Hiphil stem, meaning to make something small or reduce it significantly. A concrete example is found in legal texts where this form describes dishonest practices, such as making an ephah (a measuring container) smaller to cheat customers. This usage highlights how the word can describe both personal humility and economic injustice.
With only three occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, mostly in Samuel, Chronicles, and Amos, the word carries specific contextual weight. It reminds readers that smallness can be a position of vulnerability or a tool for deceit, depending on whether it describes a person’s spirit or a merchant’s actions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qaton describes a state of being small, whether in status, power, or physical measure. In the lives of David and Solomon, this term captures their humble recognition of God’s greatness. They acknowledge that their own significance is minimal compared to the divine promises offered to them. This perspective invites us to approach our faith with humility, recognizing that our value comes not from our own strength but from how God sees us.
Conversely, the prophet Amos uses this same root to condemn economic dishonesty. Merchants sought to make their measures small to cheat customers, turning a simple act of measurement into an instrument of injustice. This contrast reminds us that 'smallness' is not inherently virtuous or vicious; it depends on the heart behind it. We are called to reject deceit in our dealings and instead embrace the humility that honors God.
Whether we feel insignificant before God’s vast plans or tempted to manipulate circumstances for gain, this word offers a clear path. It encourages us to trust in God’s perspective rather than our own limited view. By acknowledging our smallness, we open ourselves to His greater purposes and integrity in all we do.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ it was small2×
- to/ make small1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/הַקְטִ֤ין1×
- וַ/תִּקְטַן֩1×
- וַ/תִּקְטַ֨ן1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 7:19
This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh, but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this among men, Lord Yahweh!
David uses this word to express his humble recognition that God’s promise to his house is far greater than any small thing he could offer in return.
-
I Chronicles 17:17
This was a small thing in your eyes, O God, but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, Yahweh God.
This parallel account emphasizes David’s awe at being respected by God, framing his own status as small against the backdrop of divine favor.
-
Amos 8:5
saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;
Here the word describes the dishonest practice of shrinking measuring containers to deceive buyers, highlighting how smallness can be used for greed and injustice.