שַׂכִּין (sak.kin)
sak.kin
knife
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 sakkin refers simply to a knife, appearing in Scripture with striking brevity. Its sole occurrence is found in Proverbs 23:2, where it serves as the instrument for a vivid warning against gluttony. The text instructs the reader to place a blade at their throat if they are prone to overindulging in meat, using a physical object to illustrate a spiritual discipline.
This rare usage highlights the word’s concrete nature. Unlike terms that might carry metaphorical weight for wisdom or judgment, sakkin here is strictly utilitarian. It represents the sharp, immediate action required to curb bodily appetites. The image is not of a ceremonial tool but of a common utensil, emphasizing that self-control involves practical, daily decisions rather than abstract concepts.
Translators consistently render this word as "knife" or "blade," preserving the literal sense without adding symbolic layers. The scarcity of the term in the biblical corpus suggests it was a familiar, everyday item for ancient Israelites. Its presence in wisdom literature underscores how practical advice often relies on tangible imagery to make moral lessons memorable and urgent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sakkin appears just once in Scripture, yet it carries a strikingly vivid image. In Proverbs 23:2, it refers to a simple knife used as a warning against gluttony. This rare occurrence reminds us that wisdom often speaks in concrete terms we can see and touch.
Self-control is not merely an abstract idea but a daily practice. When appetites grow strong, we need practical tools to keep them in check. The image of placing a blade at our throat suggests urgency and decisive action against excess.
This passage invites us to examine our own habits with honesty. It encourages mindful restraint rather than harsh self-punishment. By recognizing our vulnerabilities, we can cultivate healthier patterns that honor both body and spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a knife1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׂכִּ֣ין1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 23:2
put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.
This verse uses the knife as a sharp metaphor for immediate self-restraint when facing the temptation of overindulgence.