Original Word: תַּן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tan
Pronunciation: tan
Phonetic Spelling: (tan)
Definition: a monster, a sea-serpent, a jackal
Meaning: The term "tan" is used to describe a creature that can be understood as a monster, a sea-serpent, or a jackal. The context in which it appears often determines the specific creature being referenced.

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to elongate.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G2191 • ἔχιδνα (echidna): Often translated as "viper" or "serpent," this Greek term shares the theme of serpentine creatures, though it is more specific to snakes.
• G2342 • θηρίον (thērion): Translated as "beast" or "wild animal," this term can encompass a range of creatures, including those that inhabit desolate or wilderness areas, similar to the usage of "tan" for jackals.

Usage: The word "tan" appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Bible, often symbolizing desolation or wilderness. It is used metaphorically to describe creatures that inhabit desolate places, such as jackals, or mythical creatures like sea-serpents.

Context: The Hebrew word תַּן (tan) is a term that appears in several passages of the Old Testament, often associated with desolation and wilderness. In some contexts, it is translated as "jackal," a creature known for inhabiting deserted areas and ruins. For example, in Isaiah 34:13 (BSB), it is written, "Thorns will overgrow her citadels, nettles and brambles her fortresses. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches."

In other instances, "tan" is used to describe mythical or large sea creatures, sometimes translated as "sea-serpent" or "monster." This usage is more symbolic, often representing chaos or formidable power. The imagery of such creatures is prevalent in ancient Near Eastern literature, where they are depicted as adversaries of divine order.

The dual usage of "tan" as both a terrestrial and aquatic creature highlights the flexibility of Hebrew language and symbolism, where a single term can convey multiple layers of meaning depending on the context. This reflects the ancient worldview where the natural and mythical worlds were closely intertwined.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a jackal
NASB Translation
jackals (14).

[תַּן] noun [masculine and] feminine^{Lamentations 4:3} jackal (so most; Tr^{NHB 109 ff., 263 f.} Shipley-Cook^{Ency. Bib. JACKAL}; but wolf Post^{Hast. DB DRAGON}, compare Che^{Isaiah 13:22 and} (rare) Arabic ); — plural תַּנִּים Micah 1:8 +, תַּנִּין Lamentations 4:3 (Ges^{§ 87e}), לְתַנּוֺת Malachi 1:3 (si vera lectio; ᵐ5 Thes and others interpret = dwellings, Sta Now conjecture נְאוֺת, Marti נָתַתִּי לְ); — jackal, howling mournfully in waste places, Micah 1:8; Job 30:29 (both "" בְּנוֺת יַעֲנָה), Isaiah 13:22 ("" אִיִּים), in desert also Isaiah 43:20 ("" בְּנוֺת יַעֲנָה); deserted sites called ׳מְעוֺן ת Jeremiah 9:10; Jeremiah 10:22; Jeremiah 49:33; Jeremiah 51:37, ׳נְוֵה ת Isaiah 34:13; Isaiah 35:7, ׳מְקוֺם ת Psalms; מִדְבָּר ׳ת Malachi 1:3 (si vera lectio, but see above); ׳ת as snuffing up wind Jeremiah 14:6, giving suck Lamentations 4:3.

dragon, whale

From an unused root probably meaning to elongate; a monster (as preternaturally formed), i.e. A sea-serpent (or other huge marine animal); also a jackal (or other hideous land animal) -- dragon, whale. Compare tanniyn.

see HEBREW tanniyn

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts