זָקֵן

From the study of Genesis 24:2

Range of meaning

As an adjective, 'old, aged' (v.1: Abraham was 'old'). As a noun, 'elder': a senior man with recognised authority in a family, clan, town or nation ('the elders of Israel', 'elders of the city' at the gate, Deut 21:19; 22:15). The word comes from zaqan, 'beard', so it means a bearded, mature man, and it easily becomes a title for someone of standing. Related phrases: Pharaoh's 'elders of his house', his senior court officials (Gen 50:7), and the 'elders of David's house' (2 Sam 12:17).

Against the English

KJV and YLT say 'eldest', and some modern versions say the servant was the 'oldest' of the household, which reads as a statement of age. NIV ('senior servant') and BSB ('chief servant') take it as rank. WEB's 'the elder of his house' keeps the ambiguity of the Hebrew.

How it drifted

In older English 'eldest' could carry seniority, but today it simply means 'oldest in years'. The parallel 'elders of Pharaoh's house' (Gen 50:7), who are clearly officials, shows the phrase is about office.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gen 50:7 'elders of his [Pharaoh's] house'; 2 Sam 12:17 'elders of his house' standing over David; the many 'elders' of Israel and of towns in the Pentateuch. The LXX renders τῷ πρεσβυτέρῳ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ, 'the elder of his house', using the same Greek word (presbyteros) later used for community elders.

From the study of Proverbs 17:6

Range of meaning

As an adjective, 'old'. As a noun, 'an old person' or 'an elder', including the elders who held authority in a clan or town (Deut 21:19; Ruth 4:2). It is related to zāqān, 'beard'.

Against the English

KJV, YLT and NASB say 'old men'. BSB and ESV say 'the aged'. NIV says 'the aged'. The masculine plural is the normal form for a mixed or general group, so 'the aged' is fair. 'Old men' reflects a world where public honour was mostly framed in male terms.

Used elsewhere in the period

Old age is a blessing in Israelite tradition (Lev 19:32, 'rise before the gray head'; Prov 16:31; 20:29). In Job 32 elders are expected to speak wisdom. The LXX translates with gerontōn, 'of old men'.

From the study of Isaiah 47:6

Range of meaning

Old, aged (literally 'bearded'). As a noun it means an old man, or an elder, a senior man with authority in clan or town government (Exodus 3:16; Ruth 4:2).

Against the English

KJV 'the ancient' now sounds like 'antiquity' or 'the ancients' (people of the distant past). BSB/WEB/ESV 'the elderly/aged' is correct. The singular can also suggest community 'elders' as leaders.

How it drifted

In 1611 'ancient' could mean an aged person (compare 'Ancient of Days'). That use has died out.

Used elsewhere in the period

Leviticus 19:32 commands: 'Rise before the gray head and honor the face of the zaqen.' Deuteronomy 28:50 warns of a foreign nation 'fierce of face, who will not lift the face to the zaqen nor show favor to the young.' Lamentations 4:16 says '…they showed no favor to the zeqenim,' and Lamentations 5:12 says 'the faces of zeqenim were not honored.'